The way we define a thing often frames our attitude towards the thing. We often freeze up when confronted with a problem. We often get our creative juices flowing when taking on a project. This is more than semantics. Our perception of things greatly influences our experience of things. By changing the word “problem” to “project” we can change our attitude toward the situation. You may be surprised at what you can do when you make the shift to accomplishing projects. What project can you make progress toward today?
Waldo Canyon Fire And Social Media
It’s been a pretty crazy three days here in beautiful Colorado Springs. We are in the midst of a major wildfire which is threatening tens of thousands of homes and businesses on the edge of the city. 3600 acres have already burned, there’s 0% containment, over 6000 people evacuated, and close to 500 firefighters battling the fire. Combine that with record high temperatures of over 100 degrees including new high temperature records set in six of the last eight days, and it’s a wild time here. As I often say in my presentations, “You can’t outrun your character.” The character of the peeps in Colorado Springs is amazing. It’s been wonderful to see how people have come together through Social Media. Businesses have offered free use of their offices, restaurants have offered free meals, storage facilities have offered free space, over 25 tons of food and water were donated in …
1
Relax And Enjoy The Game
Ever notice that people who are good at something seem pretty relaxed when they’re doing it? Business tends to be a very serious game for most folks but that doesn’t mean you have to be so serious. Yes, take your business seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Put people at ease. It’s easier to communicate and work with people when they’re relaxed. Just for fun you may want to play a game with yourself called “How relaxed can I make this person feel?” As my good friend, Bob Burg, taught me years ago, “All things being equal, people do business with and refer business to people they know, like, and trust.” Usually they know, like, and trust you because they feel relaxed with you. What can you do to make people feel more relaxed today?
1
Be An Opener, Not A Closer
In sales, one of the bad stereotypes is the killer closer. I think it’s a good idea from time to time to examine our language because it has a huge effect on us, often without us knowing it. The fish doesn’t know it’s wet. First, no one wants to get killed. If you’re interacting with your prospects, clients, networking partners and referral sources with a “killer” mindset, they feel it. And they don’t feel good. Don’t kill people. Help people lead more inspiring lives by being more inspiring yourself. Second, no one wants to be “closed”. Thinking that you’re going to close a sale means that you’re treating your clients like prey. And they can feel it. Yes, you need to generate business, but closing is so 20th century. In a more and more interconnected world, if you’re running around closing people, you’re leaving a wake of people behind you …
3
Stand Up Straight
My older daughter recently told me that I have good posture when I sit and when I walk. I never think about my posture, so it was an interesting comment. On a side note, I haven’t thought of this in years, but my daughter’s comment made me remember that I had a girlfriend twenty-five years ago who told me “I love watching you walk.” When I asked her why she said “Because you know where you’re going and it shows.” I forget a lot of things but I remember her comment. Stand up straight when you’re on your Social Media platforms. Stand up straight means do the right thing. Take the high road. Pay it forward. Under promise and over deliver. Don’t complain. Be polite. Say please and thank you more. Don’t slouch. Having good posture shows that you’ve got a good spine. That’s code for backbone. And in a …
2
Avoid Complication In Everything
Leonardo DaVinci said “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” He was right. BTW – he stole that line from me. He was quite the klepto. Any idiot can take a simple thing and complicate the heck out of it and many idiots do. It takes a more insightful person to take something that may seem to be complicated or overwhelming and simplify it. Not “dumb it down” but simplify it. I have what I refer to as my “8 & 80 Rule”. Regardless of the subject matter, quantum physics or interpersonal skills (actually very similar subjects), if you can’t explain it conceptually in a minute or so to an 8-year-old or an 80-year-old, you don’t really understand the subject yourself. This is a great self-check. Some people complicate things because they think it will make them look smart. That’s just their low self-image talking. Think of the sharpest folks you know …
2
Do Business With People Who Believe What You Believe
I don’t remember where I first heard it, but something that has really stuck with me over time is “Don’t work with the people who need what you have; work with the people who believe what you believe.” This may not resonate with you, but it sure resonates with me. If you’re trying to convince (that’s code for “sell”) everyone that they need what you have, that’s a hard road to travel. And it’s the road most people travel. If you’re finding people who believe what you believe in terms of life philosophy, attitude, business practices, etc., you’ll find that life becomes easier. This is a road with little traffic. Taking this approach means that you have to find out people’s life philosophy, attitude, business practices, etc. And most people don’t find out these things about other people. Most people are just looking to close a transaction versus open a …
Imagine
Imagine if you could do what you love for a living. Imagine if you could have a better relationship with your spouse or significant other. Imagine if you could be happier. Imagine if you could spend more time doing the things you enjoy. Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. Imagine if you could figure out how to do these things. Imagine that you can. And you will.