Last week Branda and I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to spend six days in Mexico. This is the fourth incentive trip with our AdvoCare leadership we have earned in the last six years, however it is by far the most unique trip to date. The following are five of the things I learned from this particular experience.
Resorts are resorts, but communities are special!
Before you read on, don’t misunderstand me at all. The St. Regis Punta Mita is an incredible property with a great staff situated in the perfect spot along the west coast of Mexico. However, every five star resort we have had the opportunity to visit has been absolutely amazing. Yes, the sand and sea is different in the Caribbean compared to the Pacific Ocean, but all are exquisite. Each experience has had unique elements and signature features, but all perfect in their environment.
This time however there was a “Pre-trip” trip! Yes, the adventure aspect. For two days prior to our luxurious stay at the St. Regis we stayed in the town of Punta Mita. We were only 800 yards from the gates to the resort areas, but we were also a lifetime away at the same time.
You see for two days we stayed at the Punto Mita Suites and Hostel. More specifically on Air BNB you could search Punto Mita Suite 5. That was our spot for two great days. Along with great friends and comrades in adventure we met incredible locals. Santiago and Carlos were the Inn Keepers, Carlos’ Mother-in-law Theresa had the taco trailer down the block. These guys worked hard and provided a great experience right in the middle of town. The downtown Punta Mita experience included chickens in every backyard, a horse stationed in a vacant lot and myriad of Chihuahua’s roaming the streets.
Great people are way better than great sunsets!
The sunsets in Punta Mita were absolutely breathtaking! The pictures were amazing and yet don’t do justice in comparison to the real thing. Better than the best sunset was spending time with amazing people. Who are amazing people? For starters, my wife! Amazing people qualify as those who are unique, willing to do the extraordinary, those willing to take chances and experience adventure in life. Amazing people do what ordinary is unwilling to do. The results are NOT what makes them amazing. The greatest attribute shared by our group is an unwillingness to let the status quo define them. They scratch, claw, work, even fight for improvement. Have you noticed how rare that is in our culture? This small group of people, approximately 20, have all done something that hundreds of thousands of people had the opportunity to do and yet the others didn’t do it. I am grateful for every moment we spent with these amazing people!
Adventures are worth taking!
I may have mentioned the first two days of the trip in Punta Mita. Well, sometimes you dial up an adventure and it goes perfectly and sometimes you dial up an adventure and you get great stories. This time we got both! In Puerto Vallarta, when you get off the plane you quickly meet some of nicest young men offering you maps, drinks, and discounted excursions. Well, I needed a map, planned on doing an excursion, but wasn’t very thirsty. I proceeded to talk with this guy as he shared with me all the information I needed. Of course, his help and the discount came with a small catch. All we had to do was come to this awesome resort the next morning where the valet parking would be comped, enjoy a leisurely and fantastic buffet breakfast also comped, then take a tour of this beautiful property. Then the fun starts by spending at least an hour with a very nice time share salesman from Canada and about 6 of his friends at different tables under the resort. Our friends in adventure, Robert and Karleen joined in the trip with our pact to say “No” and help each other say “No”. We really had a fantastic time. Our guide, Emilio, was a former pro soccer player from Canada and he did his job well while we stuck to our guns. At the end of the 3 hour visit we left with our deeply discounted excursion tickets, a full belly, $75 cash and finally even got our rental car back.
Once we received our car we drove back to Punta Mita and went straight to the beach for lunch. We had the best fish tacos on the beach prepared by a sweet older couple who worked out of the back of their home and served us on a beach table and plastic chairs. It was the best ever!
That evening we took our excursion boarding the “party” boat at 7:30 to sail across the bay to a remote location where we would experience an incredible show by Circus Sole (I am sure I spelled that wrong). The show was indescribably great! After the show we enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner overlooking the bay before boarding the party boat for our return trip. Another couple joined us for this part of the adventure which turned out to be 5 hours of incredible fun at a deeply discounted price I might add.
Experiencing success with others is better than success alone!
As a part of the Advocare experience we get to work with others in fulfilling their personal mission and dreams. As a result of the work done we had the great pleasure of having two couples on this trip connected to our “Yes”. Dave and Dani have earned other trips with us before, but it never gets old having someone we had the privilege of introducing this opportunity to have the kind of success that results in great trips. Another layer of fun is when DJ and Dana, who are connected to Dave and Dani’s “yes” earned the trip this time. I know their lid was lifted on this trip, as ours was the first time we arrived in Grand Cayman for our first incentive trip. Both of these couples are incredible.
Selling is a worthy skill and should be mastered
Something I learned about the Mexican people on this trip is that they are not afraid to work! Not only are they not afraid to work, they are not afraid to sell. Often in America I hear people say, “oh, that’s not for me I couldn’t sell anything. In fact, I don’t ever want to have to sell anything.” I am always amazed when I hear these statements, but in Mexico they will work and sell like the grocery bill depends on it, BECAUSE IT DOES! I am so impressed by the tenacity and drive these folks showed us. They were selling bracelets, tacos, fruit, time shares, excursions, restaurants. You name it they were selling it. I know we live in a different culture, with a different economy, different standards, but also a different work ethic. Our culture could learn a lot of personal responsibility and hard work from our Mexican friends. The secret is that all the people I know who are fixated on a salaried job have a salaried job because someone else is selling something. Economies only work if goods, services, and idea are being sold or exchanged for another product, service, or money. Don’t be afraid to sell, just be polite about it. Thank you Mexico for showing that to me.
When people ask me what my favorite part of this trip was I have to say it is what I learned and with whom I spent time. This could have been anywhere I suppose, but it was Mexico.
As you read, someone might be asking some questions like what is this AdvoCare thing? Others may want to know how to get other people to pay for your resort travel. Some of you may just want to know how to fill your life with amazing people. Whatever your question let me know.
Steve Polk
