As you probably know, I am a scuba diver. I have been diving for 36 years. I have learned many things over the years about life, fun, survival, and success through this adventurous sport.

About ten years ago, I had the opportunity to dive an island in the Sea of Cortez called Tiburon. As soon as we entered the water, we discovered there was a strong current, and it was wise to abort the dive unless we could find a way to avoid the swift water. We descended to sixty feet hoping to find less current, but with no success. Our back-up plan was to follow a pre- determined compass heading to a near by island, and exit up on the beach.

In the confusion of the descent, I felt sure we should go to our right to find the island. Our compass said to go left. I tapped the compass, I was certain we needed to go right. The gauge still said we must go left.

I chose to follow the compass. After all, a compass is a devise to keep you safe, to help you when visibility and judgment may be obscured. We found the island. Had I followed my feelings, we would have journeyed out to sea, and would have possibly put ourselves in a dangerous situation.

The message here, is follow the compass. Trust the gauges. They will guide you to the success you are after. One gauge, is your demo-gauge. What does it read? Three today? Four? Or does it read zero? How about the presentation-gauge, what does it read? A presentation using the company guide book, or given at a weekly meeting. Does it say you have done three presentations this week? Or maybe four? Or does it read....."no guests."

There are other compasses and gauges you can watch closely to determine if you are on course to the island of success. There are inventory gauges, voice mail gauges, autoship gauges, attendance at events gauges. The Saturday training call, or the Thursday recruiting call, have you encouraged people to be on them? Or been there yourself? There are many indicators telling you exactly where you are, and how quickly you will get to your destination, but you must honestly check them, and follow their direction.

Check with your upline leader if you have questions about your compass and the gauges you should be following. You might want to start with the cassette tape that came in your distributor kit. It is a short outline that can direct or re-direct anyone who wants to get in, or get going.

Just as we were not lost at sea, you will feel safe in the knowledge that you are on track to time and money freedom if you properly chart your progress, and do the things that have been proven to work. Check your gauges from time to stay on course, and trust your compass!

One last thought, when (I believe it was Florence Chadwick) the first woman attempting to swim the English channel stopped, she was only a mile from her destination. She did not know this fact however, because her vision was obscured by fog, and she was cold and exhausted. When she realized she was in sight of land, she stated that she "would not have quit if she could have seen the shore." Sadly, she gave up to soon. Always remember,great dreams are often realized in the last cold triumphant hours of a great effort. Never give up!