"One of the great freedoms we have is the freedom to fail. Think about
that for a moment. It is an important freedom. It means we can stick our chins
out; we can play the percentages. And we get the rewards from doing so."
Professionals are good at what they do, and they know why they are good. Because they know why they are good, they critique their own performances and naturally continue to grow and become better. These types of performance reviews show them how to grow and become more effective.
Another characteristic of professionals is that they demonstrate a strong belief in the law of averages. Knowing the numbers permits them to have an almost total indifference to whether or not a given prospect buys or not.
One time, we saw a show on Broadway, "Ben Franklin in Paris," starring Robert Preston. In this show, Preston, playing the part of Franklin, said, "When you are turned down is simply the place where you begin to negotiate." What a valuable lesson to learn when you are in sales!
When you meet resistance anywhere along the selling process, that's the point where you begin to negotiate. You'll get resistance along the line. This isn't unique to selling. It's part of everything in life that involves any element of competition.
One year, late in the season, Harmon Killebrew struck out for the 142nd time. That was a new all-time major league record for strikeouts in a single season. However, on the same day, Killebrew hit his 48th home run. That, too, was a new all-time record for the most home runs ever hit by a Minnesota Twins' player. Killebrew's unshakable faith in making the law of averages work for him enabled him to become one of baseball's all-time great sluggers.
In baseball, like selling, it all goes together -- the most strikeouts, the most home runs. Whatever it is you are selling, each disappointment, any delay, every turn-down is like a strikeout. The important thing is to be a student of your business so you know the number of strikeouts you have had since your last hit. The greater the number, the nearer you are to your next hit!
The best-kept secret for obeying the law of averages and conquering selling fears and call reluctance lies in remembering your selling successes, however small. Erase from memory your failures, however large. Put this up on the mirror where you can digest it each day, put it on a card and carry it with you, make it your screensaver - whatever works for you. When this secret is learned, emotionally as well as intellectually, you'll begin putting your feet where the sales professional's feet always belong - on the road to another prospect.
Professionals are good at what they do, and they know why they are good. Because they know why they are good, they critique their own performances and naturally continue to grow and become better. These types of performance reviews show them how to grow and become more effective.
Another characteristic of professionals is that they demonstrate a strong belief in the law of averages. Knowing the numbers permits them to have an almost total indifference to whether or not a given prospect buys or not.
One time, we saw a show on Broadway, "Ben Franklin in Paris," starring Robert Preston. In this show, Preston, playing the part of Franklin, said, "When you are turned down is simply the place where you begin to negotiate." What a valuable lesson to learn when you are in sales!
When you meet resistance anywhere along the selling process, that's the point where you begin to negotiate. You'll get resistance along the line. This isn't unique to selling. It's part of everything in life that involves any element of competition.
One year, late in the season, Harmon Killebrew struck out for the 142nd time. That was a new all-time major league record for strikeouts in a single season. However, on the same day, Killebrew hit his 48th home run. That, too, was a new all-time record for the most home runs ever hit by a Minnesota Twins' player. Killebrew's unshakable faith in making the law of averages work for him enabled him to become one of baseball's all-time great sluggers.
In baseball, like selling, it all goes together -- the most strikeouts, the most home runs. Whatever it is you are selling, each disappointment, any delay, every turn-down is like a strikeout. The important thing is to be a student of your business so you know the number of strikeouts you have had since your last hit. The greater the number, the nearer you are to your next hit!
The best-kept secret for obeying the law of averages and conquering selling fears and call reluctance lies in remembering your selling successes, however small. Erase from memory your failures, however large. Put this up on the mirror where you can digest it each day, put it on a card and carry it with you, make it your screensaver - whatever works for you. When this secret is learned, emotionally as well as intellectually, you'll begin putting your feet where the sales professional's feet always belong - on the road to another prospect.
