Try, try again ... hang in there ... never give up

Friday, February 08, 2008  by Susan Julien-Willson
Category: sales, selling, retailing, inspiration

It's winter here in Michigan. I mean real winter. Snow. Ice. Wind. More snow. No sunshine. Grey skies. You get the picture. And I am feeling uninspired ... anybody else struggling with selling and sponsoring these days? Anyone else feeling like they're no good at the sales stuff? I am. I wish I had Sunshine in a bottle. I think I could sell that around here! I want to be a good at everything I do ... and that includes being an IBO who sells and sponsors.

I received a quote via email this a.m. Made me think about how this week has gone. And how, each morning, I've had to talk to myself in the mirror to keep going ... through the snow, around the naysayers, and finally, to find and align myself with the doers and believers. Surrounding myself with those who believe in this business and our products helps ... to be with those who actively support me in changing things so we can all sell products. That's why I am reaching out to you-IBOs who read and participate in OPP ZONE.  (Help! :-)

What do you do to keep going when you feel like there are obstacles to sales success or you just need something to rejuvenate you ... inspire you ... motivate you?  Reach out to your upline? Read a book? Attend a seminar? Go shopping? Take a vacation?

Here's the quote:

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."Mary Anne Radmacher, American artist

I have lots of ideas and I read lots of books and I write and edit lots of catalogs and pubs and I just can't seem to get enough ... and I like to share them with you through this blog. No doubt about it. But today, I don't want just my ideas. I am aware of those.  I want to learn and grow by hearing your ideas.

Please share your suggestions, stories, tips, and ideas.  Believe me, I'm listening.

Comments

# Sivaram said on February 8, 2008 9:33 AM:

SUSAN,

NOT SURE IF THIS WILL CHEER YOU UP. BUT I FOUND THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THAT I READ REALLY RIGHT ON TARGET. WISHING YOU CHEERS FROM PITTSBURGH WHERE SNOW AND SUNSHINE CURRENTLY !.

Luke 12:48 TLB  

Much is required from those to whom much is given.

Taking responsibility (1)  

Responsibility is a two-sided coin. On one side is responsibility, on the other side is rewards. Too many of us are focused on one side of the coin only – reward. Taking responsibility means three things: (1) Acknowledging what you are responsible for. (2) Acknowledging who you are responsible to. (3) Acting responsibly at all times. All the excuses you give yourself, and others, won’t let you off the hook. Jesus said, “Much is required from those to whom much is given.” At their annual conference the manager of a dog food company asked his sales team how they liked the company’s new advertising program. “Great!” they replied, “the best in the business.” “What do you think of the product?” he asked. “Fantastic” they replied. “How about the sales force?” he asked. They were the sales force, so of course they responded positively saying they were the best. “Okay then,” the manager said, “so if we have the best brand, the best packaging, the best advertising program and the best sales force, why are we in seventeenth place in our industry?” After an awkward silence one of the salesmen shouted, “It’s those dogs – they just won’t eat the stuff!” Guess what? Your problem is not the dogs, or your job, or your spouse, or society at large, or whatever. Be honest, your biggest challenge in life is you. If your life’s not going the way you want it to, you are responsible for changing it. And God will help you if you turn to Him. But you must want to change, decide to change, and work each day toward that end.

Thank you, Sivaram! This is very helpful. sjw

# Rod Bisher said on February 8, 2008 10:33 AM:

When I feel as you have described, I rely on great scripture verses and quotes.  Both are structured so they are easy to remember.  Many people have favorite scripture versus, but here are some quotes that my upline has stated that are locked in my mind and keep me going as well:(read these slowly with intent)

1.) "You gotta want to believe!"

2.) "Character is that quality that allows a person to carry on with a decision long after the mood in which it was made is gone."

3.) The only reason people fail....is broken focus.

4.) "Focus on where you are going, you have to keep your why, the reason you got into business, in front of you, all the time."

5.) "Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's pressing on through the fear."

6.) "Pray not for easier lives, pray to be stronger men.  Pray not for tasks equal to your strength, pray for strength equal to your tasks."

7.)"People are not tired, just uninspired!  You gotta have a dream!"

8.) "I learned early on, that the only people I cared about that might laugh at this business, that it was going to work, was my wife and kids."

9.) (This one is very tough, but I needed it:)

  "Emotions make lousy business decisions."

The last one is not from my upline, but it makes me appreciate the opportunity we have to own our own business in a free country:

10.) "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.  We didn't pass it to to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."--Ronald Reagan

Thanks for you openness and I enjoy your blog.

 

Wow, this is great stuff. I am feeling better already. I sure appreciate hearing from you, Sivaram, and the others. Yes, I have to admit that I've made some business blunders because I let emotions get in the way. My sensitivity is both a strength and a weakness, I am afraid.  I am proud that I am open and honest, but sometimes I wish my heart wasn't hanging on my sleeve, especially at work. However, my sensitivity has been great for my poetry writing! Glad you enjoy Sales Speak. Keep on reading and commenting. sjw

# YankeeIBO said on February 8, 2008 11:31 AM:

Hi, Susan!

I know just what you're feeling--been there many times, to one degree or another. The most important step is to get out of that negative funk you are in! Get back in touch with what energizes you, and brings you back to your center--whether that is having fun with friends, or snuggled in front of the fire with a hot cup of tea and a steamy novel. Re-affirm your dreams and desires--what are you doing this for? Remember your successes--how did they happen, how did they make you feel, how did they make the person you sold to feel? I do believe you had a Personal Accents party that went well not long ago...?? Stop "trying", and relax--there are no failures, just more learning opportunities! We are in the business of improving people's lives, and we do that by listening for their needs--not because we are looking for the first chance to sell them something, but because we truly care. If we help someone over a hurdle, today, we have succeeded. If we make a sale or a business partner as a result--that's gravy. Try going out the door tomorrow with the goal of NOT selling anything--then see how many opportunities you notice as you go through your day. If you know the person, jot down a note about what you have that could help them, then get back to them tomorrow with a suggestion and a sample (if you have one). They will know that you listened and cared enough to offer a solution--that's where being a consultant differs from being a sales rep. It's about the people, not the dollars.

If you still want to hibernate--do it! I heard a quote once that I love: "We all do what we need to do until we don't need to do it any more." Just go with it and don't worry about it. Maybe you can use the down time to do some planning--for another party or perhaps researching some local events where you could have a booth, or spend time learning more about the products and the business.

Last suggestions--get rid of the words "try" and "can't" from your vocabulary and way of thinking. Both of them present failure as a possibility or a certainty--and part of your sub-conscious belief structure. "There is no try, there is only do, or do not."--Yoda

Now--go out and have a snowball fight!!  ;-)

Thank you for the pep talk. I needed it. No more try ... it's do or do not. I like the idea of doing ... not do not-ing. Take care and please keep sharing your ideas and thoughts on Sales Speak and OppZone. sjw

# Truth said on February 8, 2008 4:08 PM:

I'm not an IBO, matter of fact I am a former IBO who now writes about the business at Quixtar Blog.  I think what could help many IBOs who get into a funk is to think about The Stockdale Paradox, not to be confused with Stockholm syndrome (I can't believe I have to say that, but it has been confused before).

The Stockdale Paradox comes from Admiral Stockdale who many remember as the VP candidate with Ross Perot in the 1992 Presidential elections.  Admiral Stockdale however was much more then that, he was a POW during the Vietnam war and also a Medal Of Honor recipient.  For those who don't know Adm. Stockdale was extremely defiant with his captors, even going so far as to cut and disfigure himself so the North Vietnamese could not use him on camera for propaganda purposes.  Because of his defiance Stockdale suffered somewhat harsher treatment and torture.  

In the book "Good to Great" Collins (the author) describes going to lunch with Stockdale and trying to understand how he survived 8 years as a POW while being tortured on a regular basis.  His answer is what is known as the Stockdale Paradox:

“I never lost faith in the end of the story. I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.”

Collins then asked Stockdale who didn't make it out of the POW camps:

“The optimists. They were the ones who said ‘we’re going to be out by Christmas’. And, Christmas would come and Christmas would go. Then they’d say, ‘We’re going to be out by Easter.’ And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. Then they died of a broken heart.”

Stockdale finished off what is now known as his paradox with this comment:

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end – which you can never afford to lose – with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

I think this can relate to the IBO in these simple terms.  Never lose faith in the end of your story.  I know they say success is a journey and not a destination but I know every IBO has their ultimate goal in this business.  That would be the end of your story.  Don't get caught up in the goals like "I will be Silver this month", or " I will start Diamond qualification this year".  Keep your faith in the end of your story.

While it is important to set goals for yourself it can also cause a "broken heart" each time you do not meet your goal.  That is where your faith in the end of your story will help keep you going.  Also, do not let your belief and faith cloud the fact that you must confront reality in the present.  You are after all living in today, and while you must do everything you can to make your goals happen, you must confront today for what it has to offer otherwise tommorow will never be different.

Profound thoughts. Thank you for commenting. sjw

# Ben said on February 8, 2008 5:26 PM:

Hi Susan,

Awesome comments so far, here's my contribution.

When I get down, I've learned to look for someone else to cheer up and encourage. Taking my eyes off myself and uplifting someone else is the quickest way to get out of that "funk" or feeling uninspired.

I've gone to seminars for the business feeling uninspired but when I get there and start smiling and encouraging others my mood completely changes. I find that I feel better myself!

Thanks, Ben. I am thinking I will get my small group of IBOs together so we can chat and inspire and motivate each other. The winter weather around here has been relentless ... and I think we may all be feeling like we're buried by the weight of snow, and ice, and freezing temperatures. I sure know that the blog postings here are making me feel less alone. Reaching out has proved to be wise. I am so grateful for the people in this business who take the time to connect with others and help each other. sjw

# sivaram said on February 9, 2008 7:08 AM:

http://www.businesspov.com/article/271

Susan,

What a response to uplift you !!. I am so touched by the un-selfish serving from our blogging community, reaching to the needs of others. That's why I am sold to this business.

Sorry to interupt the flow of your topic. BUT I FELT RESPONSIBLE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU & THRU YOU TO THE CORPORATION. Please check the link above for a video on the power Word of Mouth. It really helped me appreciate what we have on our hands yet realizing the importance of preserving and accelerating our leading edge. Please share with your peers as applicable. Thank You !

Sivaram, I will share with others. Thanks for sending the url. Word of Mouth is VERY powerful ... I agree! sjw

# NormaConnolly said on February 11, 2008 5:12 PM:

I am so impressed by you guys what a great job you do NO Matter what the weather thanks

 

Thank you! sjw

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