The Secret to Thriving in Direct Sales? Flexibility.
Hi friend! Welcome back to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust. I’m Lindsay Dollinger—high school Spanish teacher, dog mom, world traveler, and direct seller who helps women build their businesses the right way so they can create financial freedom, impact, and their dream life.
Now that intros are out of the way… let’s dive into today’s Biz Tip Thursday!
🚗 A Little Life Update (and Why It Matters)
I’m recording this one straight from the car—my unofficial podcast studio 😂. It’s Saturday night, my sister has friends over, and we’re gearing up to watch Hocus Pocus for the second time this weekend. (Don’t judge—Hocus Pocus nights are a whole vibe.)
I’m heading out to grab food, and with a ten-minute drive ahead of me, I knew it was the perfect moment to deliver a quick but powerful reminder that every network marketer and direct seller needs:
If you want long-term success in this industry, you must be flexible.
Not “kind of flexible.”
Not “flexible when it’s convenient.”
Genuinely, truly flexible.
Let’s talk about why.
⭐️ In Direct Sales, Flexibility Isn’t Optional
It’s a Core Skill.
One of the biggest mindset shifts you must make if you want to succeed is accepting this simple truth:
You are your own boss, but you are also partnered with a company you do not control.
That means that sometimes…
- Products go out of stock
- Shipping gets delayed
- Orders get mixed up
- Launch dates change
- Tech glitches happen
- Customer service takes longer
- Surprises pop up (hello, 2020!)
And none of those things are personal.
None of them are your fault.
And none of them mean your business is doomed.
They mean you need to be flexible.
If you’re a control-lover like me (shoutout to fellow Enneagram 6s and Rulers 🙋🏻♀️), this can feel really uncomfortable. I love structure. I love plans. I love things going exactly as I picture them.
But direct sales—and entrepreneurship in general—will force you to grow in ways you didn’t know you needed.
Flexibility is one of the biggest.
✨ What Happens When You Aren’t Flexible?
You get frustrated.
You get annoyed.
You fixate on things you can’t control.
You start spiraling into negativity.
Your confidence drops.
Your business momentum slows.
And the worst part?
Negativity spreads.
Especially inside a team.
If you want to grow a business and a solid team culture, you must lead with calm, resourcefulness, and positivity—even when things aren’t perfect.
Especially when things aren’t perfect.
💡 Flexibility = Better Leadership
Whether you’re supporting a team now or hoping to build one in the future, here’s an important truth:
Your team will do what you do—not what you say.
If you melt down when things go wrong, your team will, too.
If you roll with the punches and keep moving, they will follow your lead.
Flexibility shows leadership.
Leadership builds trust.
Trust creates duplication.
Duplication creates momentum.
Flexibility is not weakness—it’s strategy.
🍂 How Flexibility Can Actually Help Your Business
Here’s a mindset shift that will change everything:
Temporary “problems” can become opportunities.
Example?
Out-of-stock products.
You could panic and complain…
OR you could say:
- “These sold out because they were SO popular!”
- “Next time, grab the exclusives early—they move fast!”
- “Can I let you know as soon as they restock?”
That’s customer service.
That’s urgency.
That’s relationship-building.
That’s marketing.
Flexibility helps you pivot instead of panic.
🧘♀️ Flexibility in Your Daily Schedule Matters, Too
Flexibility isn’t just about handling corporate curveballs.
It’s also about your own rhythms.
Example:
You have a power hour scheduled, and a teammate messages you with a major concern or a new customer needs help with an order.
You may need to shift priorities in the moment.
That’s okay.
This is why I love time blocking with flexibility built in.
In my Direct Sales Done Right Planner & Tracker, I list:
- My top 3 must-do priorities for the day
- A loosely planned time-blocked schedule
- Space for flexibility (because life happens!)
You don’t need a perfect routine.
You need a workable routine that adapts when needed.
💛 Mindset Check: Are You Feeding Flexibility or Frustration?
If you aren’t actively working on your mindset through:
- Podcasts
- Audiobooks
- Personal development
- Team coaching
- Positive voices
- Skills training
…then flexibility is going to be really hard.
Negativity, frustration, and disappointment will take root fast.
One book I recommend to everyone (ESPECIALLY if you’re feeling negative, stuck, or overwhelmed) is:
👉 The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
This little book pulled me out of one of the darkest seasons of my life after my mom passed. It’s short, simple, powerful, and transformational.
If you feel like you’re slipping into frustration more easily lately—read it.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Flexibility is a Superpower
Your success isn’t determined by how perfect things go.
It’s determined by how well you adapt when they don’t.
Take a deep breath.
Roll with the punches.
Lead with positivity.
And be the flexible, resilient role model your team needs.
You’ve got this, friend.
You’re stronger and more capable than you think.
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a teammate or friend in direct sales who might need this reminder today. And if this gave you a boost, screenshot it and tag me!
Talk to you soon! 💛✨