Exceptional Sales PerformanceMonday Motivational Minute |
Can You or Can't You? The evidence is in and the choice is up to you. |
October 22nd 2012
By Gregory Ferrett
Welcome to Monday
Usain Bolt was the talk of the
London Olympics and with his world record and number of gold medals he is a
deserved sporting hero.
Usain Bolt (right) and Yohan Blake on Podium London 2012 |
This is not unusual. In the 1992
Olympics Kieren Perkins, of Australia, smashed the world record for the 1500m
freestyle swimming event. Glen Housman, also of Australia, won silver and would
have the world record if Kieren Perkins was not in the event.
I find it interesting almost every time a country produces a superstar in a particular sport
one or more champions in the same sport or event appear from the same country.
This outcome is easily
observed in almost every field of human endeavour. When there is an
outstanding singer in a musical production average performers will step up and
become great. In business, when there is one person producing
outstanding results those around them tend to perform better as well.
Is there a limit?
When I coach business and sales
people I rarely ask ‘can they’ as most people I work with know how to
sell and build a business in the same way most of us know how to run and swim.
The question is not about the ability it is about their motivation. The
question I ask is ‘will they?’
These are the things I listen for;
-
I can’t bring myself to ask for the order
- I can’t see us doing the job in the timeframe
- My sales target is too high – it’s impossible
- The economy is bad
- There is not enough opportunity
Imagine what could happen if you
freed yourself of all the imaginary limits you impose on yourself by using the
word ‘can’t’. This is what happens in countries where a superstar emerges. The
word ‘can’t’ is replaced with evidence it can be done. In business people working with high achievers see
evidence high achievement is possible. Once you are freed of the imaginary
limits nothing is impossible.
Replace Can't
The word can’t is an interesting
word as it is made up of the words ‘can’ and ‘not’, so it actually means you
are capable of ‘not doing’ whatever you think you can’t do. When someone says
‘I can’t’ what they are saying is ‘I choose not to.’
Here are some alternatives to can’t;
- “What would happen if I were to ask for the order?”
- “What would we need to do to get this done in time?”
- “What could I do to make this sales target work for me?” Or “What sales target could I achieve?”
- “What could I do to help people take advantage of a poor economy?”
Henry Ford is quoted as saying “Whether you think you can or can’t – you are right.”
Today’s question & action
This week I want you to do two things;-
when you are faced with a challenging situation, or you are just feeling down, consider the words you are using. Try inserting words like “Just suppose” and “what could I do” or “What would happen if”.
- look for a champion you can relate to. Someone who is already achieving, roughly, what you want to achieve. They do not have to be a global superstar, just someone you can aspire to be like and learn more about them.
Exceptional Sales Performance
Reprint permission
Permission is granted to reprint this article with the condition it is republished unedited and in full with full attribution to the author and the authors bio. Please provide a link to the reprint to the following email; greg.ferrett@exceptionalsales.com.au
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