President's Message - The Source of Success is Within July 2001

Fifteen short years ago when Melaleuca was founded, I knew we were starting something wonderful and unique. We had eight products based on Melaleuca oil, and we had a plan to share them with families all across the country. We wanted to sell these products in a new way, so that part of the money from the purchase of each product was returned to the family that had introduced the customer to Melaleuca. This created a residual income that could help them reach their goals. What we set up was not a get-rich-quick scheme. But with hard work, passion and diligence, many families can soon have a growing, prosperous business! During the past 15 years, we have made dramatic improvements so that the opportunity is now better than ever.

I know that some of you who are reading this are just beginning your Melaleuca business. Perhaps you have not seen much success in your life. Perhaps you have "struck out" in some other business opportunity, and are afraid to try to build a home-based business. Perhaps you are waiting for some program or contest that will bring automatic success. Don't wait! Melaleuca has already set up a rewarding compensation plan, and supplemented it with phenomenal programs like Pacesetter and Fast Track. But they are not the source of success! You will only find the source of success deep within yourself.

Let me share a story I recently read.* This story has an unlikely hero - a scrawny, clumsy, skinny kid named Harry. He's been playing on a Little League team for two years, has never hit a ball, and his team has never won. But he shows up early for every practice and works hard.

One week, one of the dads substituted for the regular coach. He watched Harry practice - every time Harry came up to bat he was so scared that he squeezed his eyes shut, leaned the bat on his shoulder and just waited for three pitches to pass. Hoping for some change from their two-year rut, the coach tried to teach Harry how to keep his eyes open, but the fear was too strong. Then the coach had an idea. Fetching a bat from the dugout, he said, "Harry, this is a magic bat. All you have to do is swing and it will hit the ball." Harry was skeptical, but promised to try it.

The game started and the innings went by quickly. In the ninth inning their team was only down by three runs, and they were last up to bat. Somehow they managed to load the bases, but already had two outs. Then it was Harry's turn to bat. The left fielder laid on the grass, the short stop moved in, and the other team was already tasting their victory.

Harry stepped up with his usual bat. The coach called a time out, ran up to Harry and whispered, "This is the time for the magic bat. Just keep your eyes open and swing." Harry looked at the coach with disbelief, but went and got the special bat and returned to the plate.

The coach watched: "First pitch, strike one. Harry didn't swing, but he kept his eyes open. I pumped my fist and gave a little swing, encouraging him to swing. He smiled, got into his awkward stance and waited. He swung, eyes open, but missed. Strike two. That was the first real swing Harry had ever taken. Who cared if we won the game? I considered Harry a winner already.

"The other coach yelled to his pitcher, 'Fire one past him and end this thing!' I grimaced.

"The pitcher threw a straight fastball and Harry swung. The magic bat did its trick. It found the ball, which flew over the shortstop's head.

"Pandemonium erupted in the stands, in the dugouts, on the bases. I was cheering Harry to run to first as fast as he could. It seemed like an eternity. The left fielder called to the center fielder to get it. 'You're closer!'

"I kept cheering the runners. We had one in at home and three guys pouring it on from first to second, second to third, third to home. The second baseman yelled for the center fielder to get the ball to him. Excitedly, he obeyed, but the ball skipped across the grass and passed by the second baseman toward the right-field line. My job as coach was simple at this point. 'Run, guys, run!' I yelled.

"Another guy scored. By this time, the entire team had joined the cheering, 'Go, Harry, go, Harry!' This was surely the longest distance Harry had ever run. He was panting as he headed for third and another guy crossed home. The right fielder's throw was critical, and it was pretty good, but the third baseman muffed it. The ball scooted past him out of play. The rule: one base on an overthrow that goes out of play. Harry, exhausted, kept the push on as best he could.

"About then, the first cry of 'A Grand Slam!' hit the air. Everyone joined in. When Harry reached home plate, about to collapse, his teammates lifted him as high as they could and chanted, 'Harry, Harry, Harry!'

"I ran over to the team to hug the proudest kid in America. Tears streaming, Harry looked up at me and said, 'The bat, Coach, the bat.'

"I smiled and said, 'No, Harry. It was you who hit the ball, not the bat.'"

There was no magical power in that bat. The power was in Harry's ability to believe in himself. It was in the two years of practice and undying enthusiasm. It was in not giving up after hundreds of strike outs. It was in overcoming fear just enough to try one swing, one time. And that kind of power is the kind you can put in your business.

You can believe deep down that you have what it takes to succeed. You can show up at every presentation and meeting with enthusiasm. You can keep trying, no matter how many people tell you no. You can overcome your fear of failure and rejection enough to talk to one neighbor, one friend, or one stranger . and maybe that person or the next person will be your new Director.

I invite those of you who have doubts, fears or who want to delay taking action until the right "program" comes along to look within. Melaleuca has awesome products and an unbeatable compensation plan. We have several programs that will guide you along the path to success. With these you already have the potential to do fantastic things! But it starts with believing and trying. Try today! Try again tomorrow! You'll find greater success within yourself than you imagined. You'll find the willingness to put aside fear and step up to the plate. The power to win is not in the bat, but in you when you decide to step up to the plate and swing. Don't hesitate - you could hit a grand slam the next time you're up to bat!

Sincerely,

Frank

*Story by David Meanor as appeared in Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan's Soul.

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