7 March 2007
Quixtar - Motivation
- Part One: Quixtar - Introduction
- Part Two: Quixtar - Motivation
- Part Three: Quixtar - Where It Actually Hurts
Motivation and Some Homeless Guy
This week, we’re talking about Quixtar. Previously, I introduced the topic and tried to give a reasonable set of expectations and biases I operate under. Today we turn to what motivates people to throw their lives at this. Friday, we’ll turn to the relational aspect of Quixtar.
A while back, I tried to understand what motivated people to put such incredible time and effort in to Quixtar. I tend to be a very logical person, and it didn’t make sense. But in the last few months, its become clear:
It’s called greed. What better way to deceive people than with the one thing that nearly all people want: the promise of more money!!!
A long time ago, my wife was a Quixtar IBO. She was encouraged to take a three-ring binder, and go through magazines and cut out pictures of things she wanted: a big house (wrap-around porch), a vacation to the beach, whatnot, and put these pictures in the binder. On visiting the home of another IBO, I saw images of top-of-the-line exotic sports cars taped to the bathroom mirror.
The goal of all this was motivation. I gots no problem with motivation. Motivation for good things in life is what drives much of the ambition in this world, and gets things done. And when things get done, people prosper.
Why This Matters to Eric
Why should I care if people want to motivate themselves with the illusion of luxurious living? Shouldn’t I mind my own stupid business?
The problem I have with it comes down to this practice considered alongside the close alignment that some Quixtar associations (groups of IBOs) have with Christianity. Whether it be prayers for success of their business during meetings or altar calls at the end of conventions… the link is what it is.
As if people really needed another reason to call Christians fake or shallow. In the same breath, greed and the Christian faith are being combined.
I’m not saying all IBO’s get involved with Quixtar as means to lavish wealth. In fact, I’m sure a large percentage are only ever involved casually, as my wife was. I’ve also heard the desire for this wealth wrapped in a sweet, sugary coating: “We want to have an income that requires very little maintenance so we can do the things we want with our time, be it spending time with family, missions, whatnot, instead of the man holdin’ us down 40 hours a week!”
On the surface, this seems to be a noble and holy goal. Work like mad in the short-term, so that in the long-term you can do as you please for God, or your family. And hey, if it really worked, it’s quite the tempting offer. But it occurs to me that there’s two huge obstacles in the way:
- While there’s much disagreement over what the “average” person makes, the fact remains that even among the dedicated, a very, very small percentage ever achieve financial freedom through Quixtar. (this is cold-hard truth Eric talking).
- Human experience in the world so far seems to indicate that you’re much more likely to end up squandering your eventual wealth on yourself (this is naturally cynical, no statistics to back this up just gut feeling Eric talking).
But hey, who am I to talk if you’re so sure you are God’s chosen vessel to make this opportunity work. Good luck.
The Challenge
Want some real motivation? If you’re a Quixtar IBO and a Christian that has physical images or other reminders of what you’re gonna do with all this money/time when you get rich (i.e. pics of cars, whatnot), take those pictures down. Replace them with images you can find from Sudan. Or Rwanda. Anywhere people are suffering and are in extreme need. Pledge that any wealth beyond your living expenses will go toward helping these people.
I think its abit more likely your prayer will be heard. And you won’t be making such a huge ass out of yourself, which reflects on the rest of us believers. Appreciate it in advance.
(disclaimer: much of this series is from my own personal experience, which is what I have to go on. I fully admit to never having been a Quixtar IBO. The stuff-we-want-imagery may not be widespread, but as I just said, this is all from my own personal experience. If you’d like to show me the light, the comments section is always open.)
3 Comments currently posted.
Derek says:
the wife says:
well, this is going to be interesting for me. as eric said earlier, I used to be an IBO. I didn’t quit because “I saw the light” or anything like that. I simply decided not to renew my business license, or whatever you call it, b/c I didn’t have the time, energy, or support from eric, and I wasn’t making money. I figured I could always sign-up again later if eric “saw the light.”
I know none of your comments and things are directed toward me, since many of you may not have known before today that I was a Quixtar IBO, however, I tend to take things personally, so I’m trying really hard not to do that. The one thing I always told eric was that he was never an IBO, and he never went to a meeting or conference, and so I didn’t think he could outright say everything about them is wrong. I’m now telling you the same thing. Quixtar, the company, is basically Amway, but online. They sell the same products, and they are owned by the same company. Amway is known all over the world right now, and Quixtar is getting there. The products, and the company that produces them are filled with integrity. It’s most of the people that you guys really have a problem with. Amway and Quixtar are simply bigger versions of MaryKay, Avon, Premier, etc. and with bigger groups comes bigger problems, bigger corruptions, etc.
I saw a lot of things that were encouraging to me in my years in Quixtar. For instance, I saw a lot of people talk about God, and building a team by treating people like they were your family. There was talk of discipleship/mentoring. It made my heart yearn for those things. That is what people were created for, and that’s one of the reason’s it’s so enticing - familial relationships, people invested in them, people caring about each other and taking care of each other. I have learned now that this is the role of the church, and that people are seeking this, even if they know very little about God. This is also why I was so unhappy with the ways of the traditional church, and why I feel so good about house church.
The other biggest attraction that I see is along the same lines. People want to have flexibility - moms working while their children are at school only, or dads as well, for that matter. Being able to spend more time with your family, so you can actually be a family. Building relationships with those who live near you, or are in a similar stage in life. It’s the same reason women pick up all those other sales pitches - work when you want to, you set your schedule! It sounds too good to be true. Unfortunately, I have seen years go by while folks try to build their business, and work so hard that they miss every ball game, every recital, everything that matters to their kids at that time. What kind of relationship is left to enjoy at the end of neglect?
Last comment, I unashamedly use Quixtar products. They are expensive, but they are quality products. I trust their information. Independent research has proven their products better by far in many categories. If you have the opportunity to try some of their stuff, I would highly recommend it. I’m always willing to answer questions.
britt mooney says:
thanks for sharing, Heather.
I’m not a big fan of pyramid stuff, for reasons already stated by Josh and Derek and Eric … but we do have to be careful to remember that there are real people involved in this and they might feel they are motivated by good things … not to mention some are brothers and sisters in Christ.
Don’t take it personally … I know several people currently within a pyramid type thing or have been in the past. I don’t question their character for it. I just know its not for me.
peace.
Even in the more “safe” versions of pyramid schemes, you still see the same motivations. They point to the people at the “top,” who started out just throwing parties for their friends, and now they’re traveling all over the country, speaking at conventions, owning a home in the Bahamas, etc. Now the thing about the “chick-only” versions of these schemes is that most only get into because it’s fun, or as a side income - the versions where people become regular customers (consumables like makeup, food, etc) require less constant pressure and selling for someone to make a little bit of money.
One of my problems with it is the way they set it up to discourage casual participants - my wife did Southern Living at Home for awhile and they had certain minimums that you had to meet, certain yearly fees you had to pay, and certain materials you had to buy from them. Now it had it’s “benefits” (mostly in the form of discounts on their products, and whatever income you generated from sales), but the way they set those things up they make a good bit of money off of those who only do it casually.
I did meet a guy, years ago, who was really into the Amway thing. He was a singer (not a bad one) trying out for our band. His goal with Amway was to be financially independent so he could devote his full time in ministry. Noble goal, but I’m thinking, with the time you’re putting into this Amway stuff, you could work a regular 9-to-5 job and STILL have about 30 hours a week to devote to ministry. But he wanted to be wealthy AND devoted to ministry.
The greed aspect definitely warps your mentality about following Christ. Christ didn’t call people to become financially independent before following him. He called them to give up everything they had, drop whatever it was they were doing, and THEN follow him. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have a role for people who have money (think about the important role Joseph of Arimathea played), but overall, the idea of seeking after Christ and seeking after wealth are simply not compatible.