The American Dream is a national ideal that we as Americans strive for. It is also a dream that brings people from other countries to our great nation so that they too may realize that dream. The American Dream proposes that we each have the opportunity for prosperity, success, and upward social mobility which can be achieved through hard work.

Let's look at a few simple facts. The unemployment rate in July 2012 was 8.3%. In spite of our leaders saying the economy is getting stronger, people are still losing jobs, foreclosing on their homes, and are still unable to pay for health care or a quality education for their children. Traditional jobs are becoming difficult to come by, and are often difficult to hold onto for those who are still employed. Those who are fortunate enough to be employed don't have a lot of opportunity for financial improvement despite the level of performance they put out, due to budgetary constraints of their employers.

What about the people who want to start their own businesses, the HIGHEST ideal of the American Dream? Startup costs of a fledgling business have skyrocketed, and the banks are not quick to fund these new ventures. Costs can include anything from the purchase or lease of a space, the build-out of that space, furniture and equipment for employees, a good computer system, product inventory, payroll, and the list goes on. Don't forget, in order to generate business and sales, there must be a budget in place for a solid marketing campaign. In addition to all that, it is usually recommended that a new business should be able to float itself for the first 5 years in order to survive those initial growing years and ultimately succeed.

Why am I telling you all of this? To put you in a complete state of despair? No, quite the opposite. I'm here to tell you it is time to re-think the American Dream. It is time to work smarter, not harder. It is time to leverage your time and efforts by combining them with the efforts of others. There is an opportunity in this nation that has been around for more than 40 years, and its time has come.

Despite all this economic bad news, the reality is, people are still spending money. Find a need, a want, a desire that people have, and fill it for them.

There are literally hundreds of companies who want to pay you to sell their product or service, and who will pay you to have you recruit others to do the same. Companies don't want to pay for expensive traditional advertising methods. They want to pay the person who is a bit business savvy, knowledgeable of computers, and who likes to talk to people and network. If you are not that person, it doesn't take much to become one.

These companies that I speak of are known as network marketing companies. That was seemingly, at one time, a bad phrase, most often associated with the word scam. The reality, though, is this is not the case.

Instead of giving up hope, investigate network marketing opportunities. Join the one that resonates with you, and treat it as your OWN business. Work at it with the end goal in mind of how you want your life to be.

The beauty of this business model is start-up costs are minimal, and you can work it from the comfort of your own home. Even better, the American Dream can become the International Dream, all from your computer. Many successful network marketing companies are actually international companies! And best of all, the compensation plans are out of this world exciting. While no set or certain income is guaranteed, just as it is in a traditional business, the potential for financial success is real, and it is compounded by the joint efforts of many people with the same goals as you. When one wins, we all win.

If you need help getting started, make sure your company has a solid upline of people who are good trainers and mentors. In addition, you should follow me on my blog (please see resource box below for link) for general tips and advice to augment your network marketing efforts, regardless of whichever business you join. Also, find ways to market yourself both online and offline, there are many programs available to help you do that, in addition to the marketing training and tools your network marketing company will provide you.

If I can be of any help in your network marketing endeavors, feel free to email me at sales1@ledlongtech.com

The American Dream is still alive! Make it your reality starting today.