Don’t Confuse Sales Hype For Positive Thinking
If I had a dime for every time someone calls this site negative, I’d have quite a few dimes! 
One of the immediate indoctrinations new Mary Kay consultants are subjected to is the idea of “positive thinking” They are encouraged to eliminate all “stinkin’ thinkin’” from their life to open the door to success in their Mary Kay “business.”
Now, I am a FIRM believer in the power of a good attitude. I’m especially convinced of the need to be able to “see” the outcome you desire, what many call visualization. If you can’t imagine an certain scenario or outcome, it’s doubtful you can experience it, as you have to be able to even see it as a possibility. So you won’t find me dismissing some of the tools that many who talk about positive thinking.
BUT…the rah rah sales hype of Mary Kay functions is really NOT the same thing as being positive.
It is, however, a good sales practice used by many companies, designed to get members revved up and excited, to overcome the discouragement that often accompanies sales. You see, as humans, we just don’t feel great when we put ourselves out there in the world and receive rejection. As a sales person, you have to keep knocking on doors and calling people, no matter how many “NOs” you receive.
The mistake that many in Mary Kay make is thinking that even speaking of these doubts or challenges is negative.
It’s NOT. It’s smart.
How effective do you think many of our businesses or even the government would be if they only talked about great something is, without acknowledging the obstacles or challenges that exist as well. If they never brought up the so-called negative stuff, how would anybody create strategies or plans? How could you anticipate things and create “Plan B”?
Being positive is not about letting only cute little motivational sayings cross your lips. It’s about being SMART. It’s about seeing the big picture and choosing to continue to move ahead. It’s about embracing your failures instead of coming up with euphemistic phrases to cover up your pain and need for collaboration, as in having a bad week, yet coming to a sales meeting saying that your week was “unbelieveable.”
The Mary Kay brand of “positive thinking” can make one feel truly depressed in a short amount of time. One can’t continue to lie to themselves and continue forging along and it isn’t wise either. What’s needed is a true, honest discussion of the challenges the salesperson faces and talking with others to find ideas. And NOT just sugar-coated ideas that don’t even translate to reality.
The “positive thinking” served up by Mary Kay is dangerous. It’s a kind of brainwashing that works well for the company, getting women to continue buying products they probably won’t be able to sell. It’s clouds the eyes of women to what’s really going on.
Lipstick on 
Ann on 
Brooke on 
Tam on 
It’s true. One of the first things that bothered me once I joined Mary Kay was the constant “you go girl” attitude. It’s too syrupy sweet all the time and gets really grating on the nerves. Then you feel all the pressure to buy so much inventory because “You know you can sell it!! Just hold 30 facials in 30 days!”. Yeah. That is so not as easy as it sounds.
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I completely agree with all this.
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LJ – Beautifully said! It is SO true that you are not to utter 1 word of discouragement or bring up ANYTHING negative! We were told if there was something “negative” we needed to discuss, to call your SD or meet with her privately! In the meantime, we were suppose to quote our high sales and only the actual time spent during the SCC – and then tell everyone how much per hour we made, without taking any costs into consideration!
I agree, “positive thinking” is important IF it is done realistically! Real people do not live in a “Once upon a time” world that MK encourages!
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Very true Megan. It’s amazing how small 30 facials sounds until you try to round up people who are willing to take the time out of their life to do it.
I remember how easy it sounded to just get 30 people in order to become a director. Doesn’t sound huge. But it’s really hard to find that many people who want to do this, and then when you do, they also don’t tell you that you’ve got to get them all active at once, which is really a balancing act.
Thanks Tam!
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Times are a-changing, Ladies. I truly believe that MLMs will be forced to evolve as the smart young women of the next generation have the guts to say no – a word we boomers were too afraid to say for too long. We grew up being taught to get along – to be a ‘yes’ kind of gal. We were supposed to bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never never let you forget you’re a man (gag) and other ego-destroying hype.
I’m so glad the word ‘no’ has become my friend. I no longer care if someone doesn’t like me for saying no. That thought used to destroy me – but not any more. I feel free for the first time in my life.
Generations X and Y, we are counting on you. Stay strong.
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A few years ago I read an article in Time mag. about how the young women of today no longer feel their self-esteem is tied up in a job. They want to be home for their children the way their mom weren’t there for them. I was stunned.
The women’s groups would have had us believe our kids were so proud of us. If I could re-do my working years, I would have settled for less to home.
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so sorry for bad typing…….
Should say, …would have settled for less to BE home. Sorry
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