Finding Inspiration

SalesManUp


Finding Inspiration


Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working. - Pablo Picasso


It is so easy to compare ourselves with others in life , isn’t it ? This happens in the sales profession also. This is such a divisive and unproductive habit to acquire, because we usually end up falling short of the mark, and ultimately become unmotivated. When we compare, we usually focus on what we do not have, rather than access or appreciate what we do have. In the sales field, comparing can end up providing us with excuses for copping out. I’ve heard ( or even said ) statements like, “ They are doing so well because they have a better territory.” Or, “ He gets all the good leads.”
Or, “ She’s just lucky “.


One of our founding fathers said that “ Luck is when hard work meets opportunity.” If someone is more successful than we are, we should rejoice with them not envy them.When we compare our performance to others, and envy them for their good qualities, it stunts our own growth and limits our progress. Plus, we never know the complete story. We assume that we do, but do we even know what is going on within our own lives?
How could we ever begin to understand what is happening in another person’s life ? We never fully grasp the price that someone has paid to get to  where they are, or the journey they had to take to get there.


Instead of comparison, I would rather find inspiration. Webster defines inspired as being “ breathed in, inhaled, infused. “ Have you ever walked into a Panera Bread store right after they pulled hot bread from the oven ? Or stepped into a kitchen that was filled with the aroma of a delicious apple pie baking ? Don't you stop and breathe that aroma in ? What does it inspire you to do ? Eat bread. Dig into a pie. In a similar fashion, we can breathe in the good qualities of peers and mentors around us who are “ baking fresh bread “, so to speak. By allowing other sales people to inspire us, we can emulate their good qualities and experience success also. Recently , while attending an international sales meeting, I was afforded the opportunity to have a private discussion with one of our top performers. I asked him, “ What makes you successful? What are some of the principles that you use to sell the volume of business that you do ? “ He was more than willing to share his life and experiences with me. Do you know that he also informed me that NO ONE had ever asked him what his secrets to success were ! Amazing !


Do you know a sales veteran that you could interview and ask what their guiding principles are? What’s their secret sauce ? You may be surprised to find out that no one has ever asked them that question ; and you may also discover that you are already doing some of the very same things that they are. Hopefully, you will be inspired to keep putting into practice a proven process! Let's go bake some bread .


Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. -Thomas A. Edison