Some of the greatest minds in business, sales, education, politics and leadership have expounded the merits of loving what you do for a living. Yet all too often -- somewhere between idyllic childhood dreams and the reality of everyday work -- many people lose their passion. They deny the drive that could lead them to greatness and instead find themselves either chasing the dollar or following the path of least resistance. Don't let that be you. Not now, not ever.
As a sales professional, you have a tremendous opportunity to embrace what you do with passion. Without limits, earning caps or time clocks, you have an entire career landscape before you to accomplish whatever you desire.
Desire is key. Coupled with a strong belief system, a lack of fear and an uncompromised sense of purpose, desire is what sends rockets into space and explores new worlds. Desire is what propels individuals who would otherwise slip into mediocrity to the top of their field.
In the words of Will Rogers: "If you want to be successful, it's just this simple: Know what you're doing, love what you're doing, and believe in what you're doing." Following are six proven ways to do just that.
1. Expand Your Belief System. Choose faith over fear. Fear and passivity are the greatest roadblocks to success. Think big and believe big, and you will achieve big.
Some of the world's greatest contributors had humble beginnings. Many of the men and women who lead America's Fortune 500 companies started with nothing but saw beyond the low expectations of those around them. They thought big. They expanded their belief systems at every turn until their dreams of "what could be" became reality.
You have the same power. All of us do. Goals set with true passion and purpose force our subconscious to achieve all that's possible.
So dive in. Expand your horizons. Even if it's difficult at first to believe that anything is possible, try it for a month. Practice affirming all that you are and all that you want. Be your own biggest fan—with humor, humanity and a sense of gratitude for all that comes your way. The results will amaze you.
2. Follow Your Passion. Every industry and market has certain people you feel connected to and like to be around. When the chemistry is right, you have a tremendous opportunity to go beyond business relationships and develop true friendships.
Are you fascinated by investors? Do you love helping first-time homebuyers feel the joy of ownership? Do you especially enjoy working with teachers, seniors, medical professionals or small-business owners? Finding your niche and following your passion will excite, energize and invigorate you in ways you never thought possible.
3. Embrace Abundance. Most people who are stuck in a rut -- unable to move beyond mediocre income or achievement levels -- have placed that glass ceiling on themselves.
Limited thinking -- that nagging doubt that creeps in to question whether you deserve greatness, wealth or accolades -- is a success blocker that needs to be banished from your life.
Give yourself permission to succeed. Begin and end each day with affirmations that perpetuate abundance and success. Write them down, tape them to your bathroom mirror or bulletin board, and commit them to memory. What may seem like an exercise in silly will soon pay tremendous dividends to your career productivity and emotional well being.
Be specific, and use the present tense in each affirmation. Focus on what you want, not necessarily on what you already have. For example: I make more than $100,000 per year. I have the respect and admiration of my peers. My family has everything it needs and more. I meet and exceed each goal I set. My life is filled with joy, humor and abundant success. I am grateful each day for my family, my friends, my career and my many blessings. Whatever life stage you're in right now, this daily exercise will raise you to the next level and beyond. Abundance is yours for the asking!
4. Find the Fun. Remember this, my friends: The more fun you have in your career, the more time and energy you will invest in it. Find the fun, mix it up, do something different, and you will discover a spark that you never knew existed.
Get creative with your marketing! Throw an "I Love My Clients" party for your favorite customers as a picnic or maybe outdoor movie! Send a pizza to select clients for a Friday night surprise! "Shower" some with a bouquet of flowers this spring or help kick off a back to school backpack drive or teacher appreciation brunch in the fall!
That's one of the things I enjoy most about my job and my company -- sharing ideas with agents and brokers looking to strike out and differentiate themselves. Providing these resources are our way of helping you find creative, outside-the-box ideas to break up the monotony of everyday business and make your job -- and your life -- just a little more FUN!
5. Discover the Magic of Momentum. Think about the rush you feel when you are "in the zone" -- enjoying a streak where everything falls into place and you're on top of your game. Embody and memorize that feeling, then use the magic of that momentum to propel yourself forward at times when things are not so "Midas touched."
How? Consider adding the mindset and memory of momentum to the daily affirmations discussed earlier. Before making your affirmations, focus on the feeling you have when you are truly at your personal best. Magic happens when you invite all of your senses to convene twice a day to push yourself toward greatness. Just try it for a week, and you will discover that the lulls between "in the zone" times become shorter and shorter!
6. Be True to Your Core. Nothing stops momentum faster than being untrue to yourself or your core values. You need to know, without compromise and with unwavering certainty, who and what you are.
Set your integrity meter to high, and focus on value systems that not only serve you and your family, but also bring your best self to the forefront for your clients and customers. Exemplary service, impeccable integrity, phenomenal products and a passion for facilitating the greater good throughout your career are tremendous cornerstones for greatness.
Keep these foundation-building values at heart as you move forward in the days ahead, and you will surely find yourself in the league of extraordinary leaders.
For more ideas on how to continuously build your business and impact your market, visit www.prospectsplus.com to sign up for our FREE Master Marketing Newsletter. This popular monthly newsletter is filled with innovative, creative ways to ensure your prospecting efforts are both fun and effective! Also be sure to request our FREE Master Marketing Schedule™, a unique tool designed to guide you through 24 months of strategic marketing campaigns. If you have questions or ideas you would like to share, call Julie at 800.287.5710.
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Julie Escobar is Director of Corporate and Convention Marketing for ProspectsPLUS! Julie has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the real estate industry. In her current position, she provides fresh ideas, products and tools for the training team and valued clients of Bradenton, FL-based ProspectsPLUS!
Get more of her tips, tools and strategies each month in the free Master Marketing NewsletterTM from Prospects PLUS! Visit www.prospectsplus.com, call Julie at 1.800.287.5710 to learn more today!