Pushing Through MLM When You Have SAD

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Imagine joining a network marketing opportunity for the first time because you absolutely love the product, and the only “work” you would have to do is simply share the product, and your experience, with others.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Now, imagine if you had a fear of being around people socially.

Just imagine, for example, that new college student who wants to make friends and go to parties but fears that she will embarrass herself in front of others. So instead, she stays in her dorm room night after night, wishing she could be a part of the group.

People with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) are often thought of as being “scatterbrained”, “anti-social” or “phony”. However that really could not be further from the truth.

People with Social Anxiety Disorder desperately wish that they could be around people, and a part of whatever community group or culture, but often times they will appear withdrawn out of fear of negative evaluation by others.

In their mind, they expect that they actually could enjoy themselves if only they could somehow interact with others without that lingering fear of being judged.  The thought of acting “inappropriately” is always on their mind, yet at times they often act out impulsively.

I know this to be true because I have Social Anxiety Disorder, and for almost a year now, trying to build my MLM business has been a huge struggle. Not because people are saying now, but because I am afraid to ask!!

I’m convinced that people I do not know, or friends that I have not spoken to in a while, may think that I’m being phony somehow if I were to all of a sudden develop a “bubbly personality” and appear excited about what I am selling.

They will think I am anti-social because I do not have home parties, or attend company events or other people’s home parties.

They probably think that I’m scatterbrained because I am always saying I am going to do something, then I never follow through.

So then I just find it more “comfortable” to do nothing, because . . .

“Why bother them by asking, they will probably just say no.”

“Why bother to write a blog, or post on social media, I never get any likes or comments.”

“Why bother making phone calls, they probably will not be interested anyhow.”

These are all questions that have raced through my mind time and time again because I have Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).

Although, the more I learned about these disorders, the more I got to realize ways I could actually push through my fears once I step out of my comfort zone.

When I first started my home business, I was still grieving from the loss of my grandmother, and my mother. I agonized over the guilt that I felt for not treating the both of them with the love and respect they so rightfully deserved.

If only I had a second chance to do better.

Unfortunately I will never get that second chance, but I surely can give my home business a second chance.

It’s like the song here goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, you can dust yourself off and try again.”