We’re all really proud here at Network Marketing to be celebrating our 20th anniversary today. I can’t thank all of the team from over the years enough that have helped to get us here. I’ve also learnt a lot from every single one of them, as well as our clients and candidates. Starting off as a one-man band back in 1996, it’s been a real roller coaster, so I thought I’d share my top 20 life lessons from 20 years in business.

Walk on the sunny side of the street – be positive and optimistic

Be consistent – let people know where they stand with you and try to always be like that

Do the right thing - even when no-one is watching

Do things properly - don’t take short cuts, they rarely work in the long term

Get in early – sometimes this is the magical time when you can catch-up with people without the usual pressure of the day

Set yourself goals – write them down and include timescales

Get used to uncertainty – life and business are not straight lines

Stick at things – flitting around doesn’t get you anywhere

Be genuinely interested in others – you’ll learn more and be a better colleague / friend / partner

Listen more than you talk – and importantly, listen carefully

Don’t spend too long looking at other people’s lives on social media – be happy with your own

Eye to eye contact - not like the song, but in a professional way, is key

Spend quality time with your children – you won’t and don’t get this time back

Never stop hugging them – you may think they’re too old, but they’re not

Back yourself – if you don’t, no-one will

Give without expecting to receive

Accept the stuff you can’t influence – focus on the stuff you can

Measure things but also trust your gut instinct

Give some of your time to someone or something that will make a real difference to them

Smile – you’ll be remembered for being the happy / positive one

I couldn’t possibly list all of the lessons I’ve learnt but this list sums up the ones that particularly resonate for me – especially number 20!