Thinking new thoughts...and having a "Spiritual Warrior" mentality
So we're now into the 8th month of this new economy and yes I am not using the "R" word...I won't use that word any longer. But this economy is one that's making us nervous, indecisive, afraid and unsure. So when you try these characteristic traits on for size how does it make you feel?
Not that good huh? I agree...how can being nervous, indecisive, afraid and unsure really ever feel good?
I think it's time to turn that corner as hard as it might be given the realities of the day and the things you hear about in the news.
It's time for us to become what I call and others have too...a "Spiritual Warrior". This can take on many meanings for us...but to me when I think of a "Spiritual Warrior" I think someone who is going to be sure in their own thoughts, someone who believes that good will happen, someone who is impervious to negativity and fights bad news like 10 "Supermen".
I think it's time to "Amp" up the positive just now. In our thoughts, in what we say and in what we do. I was just teaching a training session to youth entrepreneurs and in doing so I came to the realization that when you phone someone out of the blue you've got to be super positive in how your company is going to get that client results or how your business is going to solve your prospective clients pain.
You've got to totally know the benefits of what it is your business venture can do for someone else and you've got to communicate that. Benefits minus cost equals value. That's the value equation.
If you don't know what you do for others or why your clients like you and buy from you then you better get on knowing why and fast!
In sales you've got to "Amp" up the positive and show your value to each and every prospect and client you have.
This means a mindset change too.
First of all you've got to believe in yourself and what it is you do. You've got to believe so strongly that you're not going to quit until you get in your clients door...unless of course the client is rude, not fun to deal with and there is just no hope at all in penetrating that client. But if there is an opening, or a slight opportunity then you have to stick with it...like white on rice. In order to stick with a client until they buy it may mean numerous calls, contacts, discussions or meetings before they sign the bottom line and give you that P.O.
If you don't believe in yourself then why will your client or prospect?
The other aspect of mindset is you have to have drive...go for it until you get a lawyers letter to cease and desist or you get physically hauled out of the building. Studies show it takes 7-9 contacts to get a deal...I think in this kind of economy it's more than that...that sales cycles are longer in this economy.
Besides drive, "amping" up the positive and an internal belief in yourself, there are a few other aspects for being successful in running and selling your business.
In order to become a "Spiritual Warrior" in your business venture you've also got to have patience. There is a Hindu expression I just love that talks of patience. "Have patience eventually even grass becomes milk". Which means that in time even something so impossible becomes possible. Grass becomes milk? How on earth does that happen? Well think of it for a moment. Cows graze in the grass and eat the grass and eventually what they eat becomes milk. The impossible becomes possible.
Have patience...stay with it, have belief, be positive and totally sure in what you do.
What other traits do you need to be in business and have that "Spiritual Warrior" mentality? You've got to work well in teams. If you think you've got to do it all on your own...go for it...but that's the hard route. You've got to be able to lead others. To sell them in your dream and vision for your business...Getting help in your business in the areas you need it can be liberating...
Think of it by getting the help you need and leading others your venture has an opportunity to grow, you enable yourself to get more time, you hire others and actually keep the economy growing.
When you do things on your own though, you limit growth, you limit free time and you get mired in the muck as it were working on the aspects of the business you don't like.
So a good "Spiritual Warrior" leads others as well.
Now...if you think back to how we started this article...where we talked about the feelings and emotions we have going for us in this economy...the feelings of uncertainty, fear, indecisiveness...once you begin to don your "Spiritual Warrior" mentality...your feelings totally change...feelings of being positive, having drive, patience and looking to hire and lead others...do you feel a difference in yourself as you take those characteristic traits on and wear your "Spiritual Warrior" hat armor.
There are two other key traits to take on...and one of them is not to take "No" personally. Let negative results be like water on a ducks back. Let it go. Learn from it...but let it go. You're bound to hear no from clients...especially when you're cold calling or prospecting.
But you've got to be okay with the no...and know it's no right now and not forever. At least keep the line of communications open...and play for that day when a "no" becomes "maybe" and the maybe becomes a "YES"!!!
The last trait a good "Spiritual Warrior" needs is to have certainty. If you think back to when Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt and years of being slaves in that land...they needed absolute certainty to part the "Red Sea" ...everyone had to have the same focus and thoughts in order to manifest the parting of the "Red Sea" ...I mean how else do you pull that off? It's the power of the mind, prayer, visualization...it's about having absolute certainty that no matter how bleak things look that everything is going to work out in the end...but all hands have to be on deck.
I remember just hearing the producer and writer...of the play "Da Kink in my hair" Trey Anthony speak about the early days of getting her play launched. The play had many obstacles to overcome to get it shown and get it to a stage. There was doubt among the cast members that the play would never take off. Doubt kills certainty. Trey Anthony had certainty! She inspired her team to believe, they took a long term approach and worked really hard to fill the seats. Of course they marketed like heck too!
The play went from the Fringe Festival...to Mirvish Productions to Global TV.
It took vision, patience, tenacity, belief, certainty, team work all of the characteristics of a "Spiritual Warrior".
As I conclude this posting in the blog or the newsletter, I really encourage you to become a "Spiritual Warrior" and put these feelings and emotions at play for you.
To recap...the key traits to succeed include:
Have a strong belief in what you do for others
Amp up the positive...focus on results you get for your clients or the good things you do for them
Have unwavering drive
Be patient
Lead others to help you run your venture
Be okay with hearing "No"
and have absolute certainty!
Once you take these traits on...it feels way better than feeling in fear, uncertain, indecisiveness and worry.
So step up to the plate, don your spiritual warrior gear and swing for the stars this month!
Here is to your success!
Cheers/David Cohen
