Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool Me Twice... (Vent)

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around a participant's experience with a family member who has not followed through on commitments related to hosting Pampered Chef shows. The participant expresses frustration and disappointment after attempting to recruit this family member into their business, only to be let down multiple times.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of trying to recruit a cousin into their Pampered Chef business, expressing disappointment after he failed to follow through on hosting shows.
  • Another participant empathizes, noting that they have also experienced similar situations with unreliable hosts.
  • Several users mention the emotional toll of helping family members who do not reciprocate or appreciate the support offered.
  • One participant reflects on the importance of maintaining a positive outlook despite setbacks with family members.
  • Another participant humorously references a quote about family dynamics, suggesting a shared understanding of the challenges involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the emotional impact of these experiences, but there is a general agreement on the frustration of dealing with unreliable family members in a business context.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and feelings related to family dynamics and business challenges within the context of Pampered Chef consulting.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who have faced similar challenges with family members or friends in their business endeavors may find this discussion relatable and supportive.

susanr613
susanr613
Gold Member
Messages
2,010
OK, so I have a cousin, male, about 4 years older than me, not very bright, and emotionally messed up. We barely got along growing up, but as adults we can talk and laugh together.

His wife left him about a year and a half ago, and ever since then I have been his divorce "coach," providing practical and emotional advice. Through this sad experience, he has grown as a person (I thought)

He loves PC and has bought from me almost every month since I started the biz. Plus, he can be very funny, and is comfortable presenting.

So, I tried to recruit him and got to the point where he was going to schedule his first 4-6 shows, then sign. Several weeks went by....and he told me that his ex took all of their friends so he has no one to host for him. (fooled me once)

In preparation for sell-a-thon, I sent e-mails to hosts from Q4 2007 and Q1 2008, as well as steady customers. He responded saying he'd like to do a catalog show. I sent a dozen cattys to him last week of May...and....yes, no responses to phone calls and of course no orders. I have sent him a fish or cut bait e-mail and asked him to return my cattys if he decides to cancel.

Yes, I have fooled myself twice, thinking that someone that I know is a schmuck would rise to the occasion. My son's bar mitzvah is in two years and I was planning for my cousin to have an honor, but now I know I can't count on him for anything. I am mad at him for being a schmuck and madder at myself for getting excited and disappointed twice.

I will eventually bless and release, but needed to vent to someone other than my parents who said, as kindly as they could, "told you so."

Thanks!
 
Susan, we've all had similar experiences. Hang in there.
 
Dr. Wayne Dyer says he's going to write a book called, "Friends Are God's Way of Apologizing For Your Relatives."
 
Susan, I'm sorry! Hey, you and I could write a book- we both tried to help schmucks and got nothing but a whole lotta pain from it!

Hugs to you-
 
I've had 1 or 2 MIA hosts. Oh well, bless, release and deal with the lose of $7 in products and postage.
 
other than my parents who said, as kindly as they could, "told you so."
Click to expand...

Hey, at least you're not an orphan.
 
Susan, one thing I will say about helping family members that in the end clearly just don't get it is this- you did a good thing, you acted by the golden rule and you cannot blame yourself for being the good person that you are.

I refuse to make myself feel bad about what happened with my sister because of her poor choices and lack of maturity.

I will continue to be nice to my sister, and take the high road on every occasion concerning her, and unless she does something really off the wall, she'll remain in my life mainly because of my niece.

I pray that your family member wakes up and realizes that you may just be one of his only true friend's left and he'd better not burn that bridge. My sister doesn't have much of a bridge left with me- but I'm still holding out hope.

I'm sorry you got burned and that you feel like you are the stupid one here, when clearly the stupid one is not you!

Blessings and hugs! :)
 
I'm sorry that happened to you, Susan. Sometimes it's easier for family members to get that second "fooling" in.
 
I hope you got your 12 cataloges back
 
  • Thread starter
  • #10
thanks everyone for your support and commentary. KG great title for a book! kacey, thanks as always for your kind-but-practical view on life.

:-)
 
susanr613 said:
thanks everyone for your support and commentary. KG great title for a book! kacey, thanks as always for your kind-but-practical view on life.

:-)
Click to expand...
I love ya, and I'm very sorry that he hurt you and disappointed you as well. It isn't fun and I can totally relate and I'm just plain sorry! HUGS!

BTW- I had to pack my little dictionary away to take to work, so until I can buy another small one, please forgive my spelling errors!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
"BTW- I had to pack my little dictionary away to take to work"....

So happy you can write that, Kacey!
 
Make sure you get those catalogs back! Wow! What a shame...oh well, something good will come your way soon!
Did you get any other bites from those emails you sent out other than your cousin?
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main theme of "Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool Me Twice... (Vent)"?

The main theme of "Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool Me Twice... (Vent)" revolves around the idea of trust and betrayal in relationships, whether personal or professional. It explores how repeated mistakes can lead to a loss of faith and the importance of learning from past experiences.

Who is the target audience for this piece?

The target audience for "Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool Me Twice... (Vent)" includes individuals who have experienced betrayal or disappointment in their relationships, particularly those involved in direct sales or similar fields where trust is crucial. It resonates with anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of trust and accountability.

How can this piece be applied to direct sales?

What lessons can be learned from "Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool Me Twice... (Vent)"?

Key lessons include the importance of accountability, the need to learn from past mistakes, and the value of open communication. It encourages individuals to reflect on their actions and strive for improvement in their relationships, both personally and professionally.

Can this piece help improve team dynamics in a direct sales environment?

Yes, "Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool Me Twice... (Vent)" can serve as a catalyst for discussions about trust and accountability within a team. By addressing these themes, team members can work towards creating a more supportive and transparent environment, ultimately leading to better collaboration and success in their direct sales efforts.

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