Lost Your Focus?

Sales Strategy #35

What do you do when you’ve lost your focus? You know, those days when you just can’t concentrate and get things done?  Am I alone in this?

I think the word “alone” is the key to the problem.  When we work alone, either in our own business or when we work for others but in a solitary capacity, we tend to get caught up in our own mind “scripts”.  We hear only what our inner voice is telling us and frankly, it’s not always as supportive or helpful as it could be.

The first step to the solution is to recognize the cause. If you’re feeling stuck and unfocused, take the time to acknowledge it. We often try to push through. While the work ethic is admirable, it’s not always very effective.

We’re not at our best when we’re unfocused and that will come through in our written materials or in our voice. When that happens, our message is not as compelling as it needs to be and that can be adversely reflected in our bottom line.

Instead of spending a lot of time forcing yourself to concentrate, take 15 minutes and do something completely different. If you primarily work alone, call or visit a friend or colleague. Go outside and take a walk. At the very least, get up and move from where you are to another location. Find a different spot and do something else for a few minutes.

You’ll often find that simply thinking or doing something else for a brief period allows your mind enough of a break to refocus on the task at hand.

Taking a short break when you need it can result in a huge difference in the quality of your work performance. Don’t underestimate the value in what many of we A-types think of as wasted time. It’s not wasted time when it makes us more money!

Remember to visit my website at www.SecureYourSuccessInc.com for help in fine-tuning your business building skills.

Let’s Be Real!

Success Strategy #34

I often think it’s important to present a perfect image to a client or potential customer. I say “often” because as much as I’d like to always present that perfect image, there are times when real life happens and perfection is simply not possible. But even so, you still must make a presentation or court a new prospect.

Have you ever had “one of those days”? Your allergies flare up, one of your kids has to be picked up at school unexpectedly, your spouse remembers to tell you about that bounced check. I think you know what I mean. Sometimes it’s hard to appear perfect as you feel your facade begin to crumble.

I say, be real! You are not perfect and neither is the person you are talking to. It’s OK for your clients to know you are human, and therefore, approachable. When you are honest, apologetic, and not whiny about an issue that creates something less than a perfect presentation, your prospect will not fault you for being “real”.

I believe you must always be professional, but I think you can be real at the same time. You can let people see the person behind the professional. Just remember, they want to meet the you that your friends know and love, not the you your spouse gets to see on your bad days.

People buy from those they know, like and trust. I think that requires that you let your prospects get to know some of the real you.

Put some of your real self into your sales meetings and presentations and you’ll find your prospects more likely to do business with you.

Call me at 831-241-1545 and we’ll review your sales process and see where you can make small changes that produce BIG results. Remember to visit my website at www.SecureYourSuccessInc.com for help in fine-tuning your business building skills.