The Secret To Being Memorable.

THE SECRET TO BEING MEMORABLE.

How will you be remembered?

By your friends. Colleagues. Family and community.

Will you be remembered for the same thing? Are the memories you create the same for business and pleasure? Do your personal friends see you the same way your professional colleagues see you?  Does that matter to you?

Are you who you want to be?

From time to time it’s important to stop and think about the memories you’re creating. To pause and plan deliberate actions.

Everywhere you go, every day, from now until your last day you’re creating memories. Thoughts, dreams, feelings in others around you.

Do you want to be known as kind? Smart? Savvy, competitive, or tireless?

In business, especially in marketing, we often ask how we can be memorable. How we can create memories that last.

The truth is that being memorable is inevitable.

What you do creates memories and feelings and sometimes wonder. You are memorable whether you want to be or not.

If you’re not deliberate about what you do and who you become, you probably aren’t going to be memorable in the ways that you want.

Your business, your family, your life — they are full of the memories that you create. Why leave all of that up to accident or chance?

Why not be memorable on your terms?

 

Using Affirmations

“I’m never going to be able to do this job; I’m just not smart enough.”

“Why does my boss want me to present at the trade show? I’m a terrible public speaker, and I’ll just embarrass the company.”

“I wish I could stick up for myself at work; in every meeting, I let the others walk over my ideas. I’m never going to get ahead.”

Many of us have negative thoughts like these, sometimes on a regular basis. When we have these thoughts, our confidence, mood and outlook become negative too.

The problem with these negative thoughts is that they can be self-fulfilling. Inside our heads, we talk ourselves into believing that we’re not good enough. And, because of this, these thoughts drag down our personal lives, our relationships, and our careers.

This is why consciously doing the opposite – using positive affirmations – can be helpful. In this article, we’ll explore how you can use affirmations to drive positive change, both in your career, and in your life in general.

Why Use Affirmations?

Affirmations are positive, specific statements that help you to overcome self-sabotaging, negative thoughts. They help you visualize, and believe in, what you’re affirming to yourself, helping you to make positive changes to your life and career.

While there’s limited research into the effectiveness of using affirmations in a general setting, there is evidence that the use of positive affirmations can successfully treat people with low self-esteem, depression, and other mental health conditions.

For instance, in a study by researchers at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, people who used positive affirmations for two weeks experienced higher self esteem than at the beginning of the study.

Also, in a study published in the Journal of American College Health, researchers found that women treated with cognitive behavioral techniques, which included use of positive affirmations, experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms and negative thinking. A study by researchers at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, had similar results, and came to a similar conclusion.

Of course, it’s important to realize that although some people have successfully used affirmations to overcome depression and negative thinking, the technique may not work for everyone. Some people may view affirmations as “wishful thinking,” or simply looking at the world with an unrealistic perspective. Quite a lot can depend on your mindset.

So try looking at positive affirmations this way – many of us do repetitive exercises to improve our body’s physical health and condition. Affirmations are like exercises for our mind and outlook; these positive mental repetitions can reprogram our thinking patterns so that, over time, we begin to think, and act, in a new way.

Note:

There has also been research that says that the higher your self-esteem, the more effective affirmations can be. This research also found that affirmations can actually have a negative effect if you have very low self-esteem. If this applies to you, work on boosting your self-esteem before you use them.

When to Use Positive Affirmations

You can use affirmations in any situation where you’d like to see a positive change take place. These might include times when you want to:

Raise your confidence before presentations or important meetings.

Control negative feelings such as frustration, anger, or impatience.

Improve your self-esteem.

Finish projects you’ve started.

Improve your productivity.

Affirmations are often more effective when they’re paired with other positive thinking and goal-setting techniques.

For instance, affirmations work particularly well alongside visualization – instead of just picturing the change we’d like to see with visualization, we’re also saying it aloud using a positive affirmation.

Affirmations are also useful when setting personal goals. Once you’ve identified the goals you’d like to achieve in the short and long term, you can use positive affirmations to help keep yourself motivated in order to achieve them.

How to Use Affirmations

Remember – affirmations are positive statements that help you challenge and overcome negative thinking and self-sabotaging behaviors. They’re usually short, positive statements that target a specific area, behavior, or belief that you’re struggling with.

Start by thinking of the areas of your life you’d like to change. For instance, do you wish you had more patience? Or a deeper relationships with your friends or colleagues? Or do you want a more productive workday?

Write down several areas or behaviors you’d like to work on. Then, for each of these, come up with a positive, present-tense statement you can repeat to yourself several times a day.

It’s also important that your affirmation is credible, believable, and based on a realistic assessment of fact. For instance, imagine you feel bad about the level of pay you’re currently receiving. So you begin to use affirmations to raise your confidence about asking for an increase. However, it probably wouldn’t be wise to affirm to yourself that you’re going to double your salary: for most people, and most organizations, doubling what you’re earning in one go just isn’t feasible. Keep it realistic!

After all, if you can’t believe the affirmations you’re repeating to yourself, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll have any impact on your life.

Tip:

Affirmations should be formed in the present tense, as if they’re already happening. This helps you believe that the statement is true right now. For instance, “I am well-prepared and well-rehearsed, and I can give a great presentation” would be a great affirmation to use if you often feel nervous speaking in front of a group.

Tip 2:

The power of affirmations also lies in their repetition. It’s useful to recite your affirmations several times a day (have them pop up in your computer diary). You also need to repeat your affirmation as soon as you start to engage in a negative thought or behavior.

Tip 3:

Affirmations are more effective when they’re thought or said with feeling. Every affirmation you choose to repeat should be a phrase that’s meaningful to you. You need to want this change to happen.

Here are some examples of positive affirmations:

I have plenty of creativity for this project.

My work will be recognized in a positive way by my boss and colleagues.

I can do this!

My opinion is respected and valued by my team.

I am successful.

I am honest in my life, and my work.

I like completing tasks and projects on time.

I’m grateful for the job I have.

I enjoy working with my team.

I’m bringing a positive attitude to work every day.

I am excellent at what I do.

I am generous.

I am happy.

I will be a leader in my organization.

Tip:

The use of affirmations is just one way to make positive changes to your life. You can also use techniques such as Thought Awareness, Rational Thinking, and Positive Thinking, and Cognitive Restructuring. You may also want to take our quiz, Are You a Positive or Negative Thinker?

Key Points

Affirmations are positive statements that can help you overcome self-sabotaging, negative thoughts.

To use affirmations, first analyze the thoughts or behaviors you’d like to change in your own life and career.

Next, come up with positive, credible, present tense statements that are the opposite of these thoughts. Repeat your affirmations several times a day, especially when you find yourself slipping into a negative thinking pattern, or engaging in a negative behavior.

Remember that affirmations are most effective when used alongside other strategies, such as visualization and goal setting.

How To Handle Those Who Always Disagree With You.

HOW TO HANDLE THOSE WHO ALWAYS DISAGREE WITH YOU.

There will always be those who disagree with you. Vigorously.

No matter how much evidence points to the logic of your decision or how many facts bolster your ideals, there will always be those who challenge your intentions and make your dreams seem small.

These people are all around you.

In your town. In your church. In your work.

People who don’t understand you. They don’t “get you”.

And so when they hear you speak of your ambitions, they just think you’re a loser. They don’t trust you or like you (or want to change that).

Ultimately, everything they say is negative.

That will break you down if you let it.

At first, it will just bother you. And then it will annoy you. And frustrate you. Anger you. And completely sidetracked you.

There is no easy way to get used to being treated unfairly. It’s not fun at work or at home, at the gym or in your place of worship. Nowhere. At any time.

It’s just not something you’re wired to respond well to.

What can help you is to understand that these people will always exist.

There is nothing you can do to win them all over.

It will never happen.

And that’s not because you’re a bad person or that you can’t articulate your dreams well enough.

Frankly, it’s not about you at all. It’s about them. That’s just what they do. They hate.

You’ll never understand it. And they will never change.

What can empower you is to understand that nothing you can do will convince all the haters to love you.

So save your energy. Stop trying.

Live your life on your terms. Let the haters say what they will . Just do what you do.

Stand tall. Be amazing.  Ignore everything else. Game on.

Are you ready?

via How To Handle Those Who Always Disagree With You. | Edgy Conversations.

Customers for life

 

The most successful companies place great value on developing lifetime relationships with their customers. In today’s competitive marketplace, they’re aware that their customers are aggressively prospected and their loyalty cannot be taken for granted. Customer-focused companies recognise that relationship building and follow-on service are critical components for promoting both customer retention and revenue growth.

Today we have access to innovative tools, such as the Internet, cellphones, faxes and voicemail, all designed to enhance our ability to communicate. Nevertheless, even with all of these technological tools at our disposal, the alarming number of dissatisfied customers, lost sales and failed relationships all reflect the fact that none of us are as effective at communicating as we would like to believe.

Temperament understanding helps to foster effective communication. Research in the field of human psychology indicates people are born into one of four primary behavioral styles; aggressive, expressive, passive or analytical. Each of these four temperament styles requires a unique approach and communication strategy.

For example, if you are working with the impatient, aggressive style, they want a quick fix and a bottom-line solution. Under pressure they can be ill-tempered and quick to anger. Give them options so you don’t threaten their need for control. Don’t waste their time with chitchat; stick to business.

Meanwhile, at the other extreme, the stress-prone analytical style requires more information and is interested in every detail. Their cautious and analytical nature makes them susceptible to buyer’s remorse. Be sensitive to their need for reassurance and guarantees. Once you learn how to identify each of the four primary behavioral styles, you will be able to work more effectively with all of your customers.

Communicate effectively

Recognise the importance of nonverbal communication and learn to “listen with your eyes.” It might surprise you to know that research indicates over 70% of our communication is perceived nonverbally. In fact, studies show that body language has a much greater impact and reliability than the spoken word.

Create a favorable first impression and build rapport quickly by using open body language. In addition to smiling and making good eye contact, you should show the palms of your hands, keep your arms unfolded and your legs uncrossed. You can develop harmony by “matching and mirroring” your customer’s body language gestures. Matching and mirroring is unconscious mimicry. It’s a way of subconsciously telling another that you like them and agree with them.

Improve your active listening skills. To develop and encourage conversation, use open-ended questions to probe the meaning behind your prospect’s statements. Occasionally repeat your prospect’s words verbatim. By restating his or her key words or phrases you not only clarify communication, but also build rapport. Keep your attention focused on what your customer is saying and avoid the temptation to interrupt, argue or dominate the conversation.

Little things make a big difference

Rendering quality customer service is both a responsibility and an opportunity. Often salespeople view customer service as an administrative burden that takes them away from making a sale. The truth is that customer service provides opportunities for cross-selling, up-selling and generating quality referrals.

Customers describe quality customer service in terms of attention to detail and responsiveness. Customer satisfaction surveys consistently point to the fact that the little things make a big difference. Not surprisingly, the top two customer complaints with regards to customer service are unreturned phone calls and a failure to keep promises and commitments. Make an effort to see yourself through your customer’s eyes. True customer service is meeting and surpassing your customer’s expectations.

Successful salespeople “go the extra mile” when providing service and turn the customers they serve into advocates to help them promote their business. Your referrals and follow on business are in direct proportion to the quality and quantity of service you render on a daily basis. Want more referrals? Improve your service!

Here are five powerful customer service tips.

Under-promise and over-deliver. Develop a reputation for reliability; never make a promise that you can’t keep. Your word is your bond.

Pay attention to the small things. Get in the habit of returning phone calls, emails and other correspondence quickly. Follow up, follow up, follow up.

Stay in contact and keep good records. Take the time to jot down notes from meetings and phone calls making certain to record all relevant information. Maintain a written record of service. This is especially helpful when clients are reassigned to a new sales rep. Setup a suspense system to track important contact dates such as client review calls and birthdays. Consider sending a personal note or an article of interest every six months.

Give your customers a promotional gift. Consider sending them a letter opener, coffee mug or a calendar with your picture and contact information.

Establish a feedback system to monitor how your customers perceive the quality and quantity of the service you provide. Service is not defined by what you think it is, but rather how your customers perceive its value. When it comes to customer service, perception is reality.

Progressive companies emphasise commitment to customer service from the top down by establishing training standards and continuously monitoring customer satisfaction. Companies that fail to implement an effective customer service programme actually do a disservice to their customers and unknowingly, leave the backdoor open to their competitors. If you do it right – sales and service will blend seamlessly.

When a Sales Representative Misses Quota

Over the past four years, sales quotas have risen nearly 33 percent, yet the percentage of representatives making their quota has fallen by 25 percent: A bad omen for companies, and perhaps a worse omen for the reps that depend on their sales to earn their keep.

The statistics come from The Bridge Group, a sales strategy firm based in Hudson, Massachusetts. The report also found that on average, only about 50 percent of sales reps made their quota, and more than 42 percent of companies reported that less than 50 percent of reps were meeting or exceeding their quota.

“It’s mind-boggling,” says Chad Levitt, a sales consultant and account executive with HubSpot who authors the popular New Sales Economy blog.

But who is to blame, and perhaps more importantly, what can entrepreneurs and CEOs do to make sure their reps don’t fall into a rut? “The first thing you should look for when a rep misses a quota is if there’s a sales process in place,” says Levitt. “Most companies let the reps fly by night…and many times the rep is hung out to dry.”

A sales process, or a sales funnel, is the perhaps the most common way to get your reps on track. But setting fair quotas, and figuring out how to react when a rep misses a quota, are delicate matters.

 

It’s Not Working Because You’re Not Working Hard Enough.

IT’S NOT WORKING BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT WORKING HARD ENOUGH.

Most of success is just good old fashioned hard work.

That formula works for sports champions, scientists solving hard problems and business people.

Hard work is the single biggest differentiator for those who achieve massive breakthrough — in sports, math, science, politics, and business.

But when it comes to business you might fall into the trap of thinking that working smarter is a better formula than working harder. You might think that because you’re intellectual you don’t need to get physical.

And so, sadly, even though you know all the answers you never achieve any of the results.

On paper, you look like you should be successful — yet you never seen to rise above mediocrity.

And it’s frustrating. Because deep down you want more for yourself.

You want to rise above the obstacles that hold you back. But you just aren’t sure how.

You question whether you need another degree or if you just need to spend more money on online marketing. You ask yourself if you should be reading more business books or if you should buy tickets to that great seminar on accumulating wealth.

Your mind races with options. You find yourself listless. Unable to sleep. Thinking about what is going wrong and why you can’t seem to fix it.

Even if you’re not there right now you know that feeling. You’ve been there before.

Caught between feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. You’re just not sure what to do.

The secret is to do something. That’s the thing to do. Something. And do it right now. You might be doing everything wrong but that’s still better than doing nothing at all.

Strenuous physical activity sharpens your brain’s creativity. It not only allows you to think more clearly, the exercise of working creates progress all by itself.

Your own momentum pulls you past the biggest boundary in achieving any goal — getting started. That same effort pulls you past the struggle you might be feeling — giving up.

When you’re tired — physically, emotionally, and mentally — it’s amazing how much smarter your work becomes.

Your own effort created that smartness.

Your sweat and tears don’t just push you forward, they make you smarter, tougher, and more resilient.

No plan in the world will work if you’re not working. No strategy will turn out right if you aren’t focused on the right thing. No amount of brains can trump the brawn needed to hustle and hunt and hurt.

Success is about hard work.

If you’re not working hard enough right now that needs to be your new strategy. That needs to be your all consuming passion.

Ask yourself daily what you could be doing to help yourself across the finish line.

Set audacious goals for yourself.

Force yourself into a corner where the only chance of survival demands that you worked tirelessly.

Is it fun? Of course not. Is it scary? You bet. But that’s why there aren’t more successful people in the world.

The truth is that your plans aren’t working because you’re not working hard enough.

Change that.