The Neccessary Need for Confidence

I'm sitting inside a Barnes and Nobles right now, as I do incredibly often. Today however is a unique day at Barnes and Nobles, as I have 2 incredibly interesting groups near me, one in front of me, and one behind me.

These groups are unique as both are being pitched different services. Group A, is being pitched web design and hosting services, where Group B seems to be a group of real estate agents meeting with a salesman from a print company.

Ok, call me nosy if you want, but while sitting here quietly on my laptop, I can't help but overhear their conversation. Needless to say, these have been 2 very interesting conversations.

Alfred is apparently the salesman to Group A (so maybe I was listening closely at times). Alfred started off very confident, telling his prospects immediately what he has to offer, and doing everything within his power to make sure they know, without a doubt what he has to offer. He's brought with him today sales sheets for every possible option for his group, and he wants them to buy everything! Or at least that's how he started off.

After Group A asked Alfred the very first question , his entire presentation fell apart. It looks to me like one of two things; 1) Alfred didn't plan for questions or 2) Alfred has a lack of confidence in his services, and that was just shown in a very big way.

Alfred immediately lost all his rehearsed presentation skills, and was now no longer organized. He no longer knew what he was talking about previously, he apparently forgot everything he knew about his services, and his fake attempt at sales is now present. (If you think I'm being harsh, keep reading.)

Tom I would suppose is Group B's printing salesman. Tom made a very big mistake right out of the gate. He say about 15 feet away from his prospects talking to his "buddy" about what a good time he and the rest of his friends had drinking last night. Tom was 10 minutes late to his meeting, because he failed to realize that they were 15 feet away, hearing all sorts of things that I'm willing to bet Tom did not intend on them hearing. Tom was off to a slow start.

Finally Tom realizes that Group B is just feet away afterall, quickly ends his conversation, and begins to give them the pitch that it appeared he's given maybe, well, let's just say that I hope this pitch was the first pitch he's ever given.

Tom was incredibly confident in himself, but had ZERO confidence in his product. In fact, Tom even told his prospects that, "We'll probably run into several problems along the way, so here's my cell phone number so I can get them taken care of, and hopefully get them taken care of in time for you!"

Wow, Tom.

Needless to say, I was not impressed with either sales pitch, and both Group A and Group B appeared to feel the same way.

Both salesmen lacked confidence in what they were selling. Alfred put up a very great fake front that quickly fell apart as soon as a question came up, and Tom appeared to only be confident that tonight will likely be spent drinking with the buddies, like last night.

Confidence is one of those things that I believe you can't fake. It's going to come out sooner or later, at some very inopportune time. Many animals are said to be able to feel and smell fear, many leaders are trained to be able to listen to and spot a fake.

Are you confident in every avenue of your life? Even though you may be uncomfortable with the goals you're setting or what you're trying to accomplish, you can still be confident.

Don't want to end up like Alfred and Tom? I highly suggest you read "Confidence - How Winning Streaks and Losing Streaks Begin and End" by Rosabeth Moss Kanter.

Stay UNcomfortable

Sometimes in life you have those moments where everything you do, regardless of how different many things in your life may be, all seem to be trying to tell you the same message.

I had one of these moments almost a year ago. Everything I did, everything I read, everywhere I went - there was one message. It became very obvious after a week or so that I was supposed to take note of this message, this message of getting uncomfortable with where you are, and staying there.

Since then, things have been fairly strange, or maybe I'm just uncomfortable. Although I've always done things in a very "non-traditional" way, I began to push myself to do even more things while breaking further away from the traditional, mainstream, way of doing things.

It's been an incredible experience. I've met remarkable people, have been gaining more clients by the day, and have finally found the ability to make crystal clear, but at the same time achievable goals.

In the past I've done one of two things. I set goals that were either 1)Unobtainable with the resources or time frame I had, or 2)Incredibly easy and their was really no point a goal should have been set.

You want goals that you know are within reach, but will make you step out of your box to make them. Make goals that make you hesitate when you write them. Goals that almost scare you with the thought of NOT making them.

Why settle for mediocrity when it takes just as much time to Conquer Success?

Creating lasting Impact

This evening while shopping for groceries for the rest of the week, I found myself in a unique situation.

The bagger at the store was incredibly nice and insisted he take out my groceries. This was not the normal "Can I help you out with this, sir?" question, but rather, "Could you show me where your car is sir? I'll help you load these up."

I was caught off guard. Here was this young man, just a few years younger than myself, that clearly understood how customer service is supposed to work.

I obviously agreed to let him push the cart to my car, but decided to strike up conversation on the way.

He started to tell me how he worked this job in hopes of going to college in the fall. How his parents wouldn't support him, but how he refused to live the "paycheck to paycheck" that so many people did.

I began to ask the normal questions;
Q) What are you planning on doing in school? A) He didn't know.
Q) Why do you want to go to school? A)To not work this hourly job for the rest of his life.

After a few of these questions, I realized that he clearly didn't understand the opportunities he had available to him. So I began a conversation that I hope, would leave lasting impact.

I began to ask him what he WANTED to do with his life, rather than what he felt like he needed to do in order to live. I began to ask him how could profit from this, how could he help other people do the same, and how could he not only be successful doing this, but become a person of significance at the same time.

He was overwhelmed.

In the few minutes I spoke with him, his demeanor completely changed. I mentioned a few books I suggest he read that would continue to force him think outside the box. It was clear to me that this young man had never truly seen the possibilities he has available to him.

I believe that each of us, at least once a day, has the potential to Impact someone's life. The potential to open someone's eyes, and to enable them to have to have the "Aha!" moment of the day.

Be a mentor, take a few minutes to talk to that individual that needs to hear your message, and help someone else understand that each and every day, they too, have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on someone else..

Being Grateful Leads to Becoming Great

Every evening before I go to sleep I tell myself how grateful I am for all the things I have, the people I know, my friendships, family, and much more.

Last night I mixed it up a bit.

Rather than just being grateful for the things I have, I was also grateful for the things I want to have, as if I already had them. Something interesting happened.

I dreamed the entire evening about a new client. I'm working on several major accounts right now, but currently I can only take on one additional client. I was thankful for the wisdom of knowing what client I should take, and thankful that I already had this client.

The thing is, I don't currently have this client, in fact, it seems that out of the many I'm currently working on, that this client would be the least likely to happen.

I dreamed of the meeting in which they will sign a contract, the way the contract should be worded and appear, the things that I will need to say... all of it.

Last evening my mind was in a different place than most nights. Rather than sitting up all night wondering and worried about which client to take and how to get them, my mind was almost recounting the events that haven't yet taken place.

Try this: try being thankful for not only what you have, but also what you want. Be grateful for the wisdom you have that allows you to make great decisions, be grateful for the relationships you have (as if they were already your friends), your income (as if you were already making that much), your house, your friends, and so on.

Do this as soon as you wake up in the morning, and while lying in bed in the evening. Act as if you already are, and remember being grateful leads to becoming great.

Much Overdue

It's much overdue that I have... something up and running here.

This is a little project of mine that serves one purpose, to educate you on what successful people are doing to be... successful.

Learn from the best, listen to the best, and ask them what you want to know. Get tips on staying motivated, having a Yes!Attitude, and continue to stay successful in an ever changing environment.

I'll be doing my best to post daily. This is going to be fun.