Posts tagged as:

Happiness

Passion and obsession in life, business and sales

by Paul Sparks on November 25, 2009

As salespeople, we often hear that we need to be passionate about our products to sell them effectively. And this is probably true.

But what does passion look like, and how do we display it? 

This video is an example of what passion in business and life looks like.  John Nese is the owner of Galco’s Soda Pop Stop in Los Angeles.  His shop carries over 400 types of soda and soft drink.

Is he passionate – yes.

Is he obsessive – it seems that way.

The video raises many questions we can ask about ourselves and how we “sell” to people with passion.  Have a look – and then challenge yourself to ask some questions about what you’re doing to pursue your passion – and how, as a salesperson, do you connect with your clients’ passions.

Life’s short.  Too short, to quote Wayne Bennett (the coach of the St George Rugby league team), to die with the music still in you.  But we also need to be realistic about pursuing passion to make sure we’re not just tilting at windmills.

Here are some questions about passion and selling to get you going.

At a personal level:

  • Do you have a passion that dominates your thoughts and your life?
  • Does your work help you maintain and build your passion?
  • Is it a stepping stone to a role which will align with your passions?  Why – or why not?
  • If you don’t think you’re a passionate person – that’s cool – perhaps it’s not an essential element of life.  But have you reflected on your ultimate goals – what do you want to make sure you’ve achieved in your time on planet earth?

Most of us, when we really think about it, have something which drives our life.

OK – so you’re passionate about some things – to some degree at least.  Now consider you current sales role:

  • Do you connect with the passion of your clients and prospects?
  • Does your work – and the opportunity to help your customers – add to the joy of your life?
  • Or would your passion be better channelled elsewhere?

We all want to be with others who genuinely share our interests and dreams.

It doesn’t matter what you sell – you need to at least be passionate about what your products do for your customers.  Even if your industry or products are boring – so what.  If what you sell helps your customers achieve their goals, you’re on a winner.

If you have a passion to see your customers get what they need, you’ll succeed in sales.  You’ll also be on a road to see your own dreams and passions be realised.

Enjoy the journey – and good luck.

**********

And thanks to Ian Wrenford of Innish Consulting Services for bringing this to my attention.  Ian works with organisations of all sizes that are looking to innovate their strategy and market positioning.

www.innish.com.au

Tagged as: , , , , ,

{ 0 comments }

A happiness primer for sales professionals

by Paul Sparks on June 20, 2009

According to Wiki, happiness is a “state of mind or feeling such as contentment, satisfaction, pleasure or joy”.  Don’t you love it when things that are hard to define are defined by other things which are equally hard to explain?

But, however it’s defined, happiness is something that most people want to feel as much as possible.  Of course, we can’t be happy all the time – shit does happen – but, given the choice, most of us would choose happiness over the alternatives.

Selling is an unusual and challenging vocation.  We need to be positive, passionate, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, serving, etc, etc – all in the face of rejection.  But, in the end, we choose to be salespeople.  We choose it for many reasons (in spite of the challenges) – for the financial rewards, for the freedom, for the personal satisfaction that comes from achievement and service – and a host of other reasons.

 "Shortcut to Happiness"

In the current economic environment, the usual challenges have been multiplied for many.  So can we be happy in the face of these circumstances?

We certainly can – if we choose to.  Research into the mind has given us many clues as to the actions we can take to “be happy”.  In this piece we’ll look at some of these, and provide a list of disciplines you can action every day, and be happier in the process.  But I’m afraid there’s no shortcut.

We have much to thank Dr Martin Seligman for.  On January 1, 1998, he assumed the role of president of the American Psychological Association, and immediately challenged the profession to broaden its scope and take an active look at the “normal” population.  The result was an explosion in research into the positive side of mental health – happiness, optimism, healthy character aspects and positive emotions were on the research radar.  Only seven years later, Time magazine featured a cover story on “The New Science of Happiness” which summarised some of the research which had developed in the previous decade.

In Australia, psychologist Dr Timothy Sharp established The Happiness Institute in 2003, which has served to bring the power of positive psychology to our region.  According to the Institute, you can achieve happiness by practicing some basic disciplines every day.  Change won’t happen overnight, but, with time and determination, we can all change.  The key is that it’s our choice to change.  The Institute has a great set of strategies built around the acronym CHOOSE.  If you want more happiness – try these actions:

1.  C is for Clarity.

Happy people tend to be clear about their goals and their direction and purpose in life.  They set clear plans and revise them regularly.  And it’s up to you – because no one else can or will do it for you. Continue Reading…

Tagged as: , , ,

{ 0 comments }