What Inspires You?!

We all know as salespeople that we have to deal with more negativity than almost any other professional. For every deal signed, there's bound to be countless unanswered calls, emails that fell into an abyss and prospects that sharply demand to know, "What's this about anyway?" It can be hard to power through all the "nos" that necessarily dot the path to a "yes."

But you know who else dealt with rejection- Some of the greatest thinkers, leaders, and business people of our time. And they didn't just persevere through the hard times -- failure is what made them succeed. The next time you feel like you just can't deal with your obstacles for one more minute, read through this list and internalize the quote that resonates the most with you. As a sales coach, I can help direct your efforts and strategies while helping you be more effective but I can’t control your attitude or desire to make it happen.

• "I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse." - Florence Nightengale
• "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude." - Zig Ziglar
• "Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin
• "You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take." - Wayne Gretzky
• "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." - Henry Ford
• “Whatever you are, be a good one." - Abraham Lincoln
• "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt
• “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice." - Wayne Dyer

Focus Point

85. Keep up to speed on the latest business tools.

If you’re not technologically savvy, find someone who can help you wade through the sea of new devices such as PDA’s, sales lead and data management software and any other valuable Web-related resources that can improve your organization skills and help you make that sale!

It’s truly amazing how quickly some of these items become standard issue in our businesses. Can you imagine what a client would think of you if you didn’t use a cell phone or pager? Make sure you’re on the front end of this business tool curve and not lagging in the back. This is especially important for the sales veterans who might resist some current tools. Perception is still very important, and you don’t want to be thought of as a dinosaur who is lagging behind the latest developments.

One nice benefit of business tools is the speed in which you have access to the latest information. Believe me, clients will be impressed by such capabilities and you’ll give them the impression that you’re on top of your game. Hopefully, they will feel that way after the transaction or sale as well.