Back to the Basics

Can you believe we have made it to May? Has the enthusiasm of the new year waned some?

Sometimes we get into a funk or we get out of sync, and this is a reminder that we need to get back to the basics. When people get into a slump, I often remind them that you have to repeat the things that have made you successful.

Very early in my sales career, I had great success right out of the gates. The amazing part about it is that I didn’t even really know what I was doing.

However, the most important thing is that I was enthusiastic about what I was selling. My enthusiasm rubbed off on the prospects, and they became enthusiastic as well.

After a while of patting myself on the back and hearing how good I was from others, I started getting into a slump. This made no sense to me because now I felt I had more experience, and I certainly had more knowledge about what I was selling. Thankfully, I was able to sit down with one of my mentors and we reviewed my presentation. He pointed out to me something that was very profound.

My presentation was filled with knowledge and so much information that it became double the length of what it should’ve been.

We talked about keeping it simple, and most of all, keeping the enthusiasm. In other words, he pointed out to me that I needed to repeat the things that made me successful.

This applies to every area of success. Even the most successful people in the world will slip on their daily habits. Because of this, they will find frustration due to the lack of success. What separates them is not their willpower or motivation, it’s the ability to get back on track quickly.

Perhaps you have found yourself not where you want to be or even in a slump. The key is to remember that we all go through this, but the good news is that you will come out of it.

Whether it’s exercise, diet, sales, relationships, or just every day living, let me encourage you to get back to the basics. Do what you did when you did what you did.

Let’s get back to the field of sales again. The other day I was speaking to a newer sales rep. They started out very well and recently hit a brick wall. We began to review his presentation. The amazing thing is that he was doing the same thing that I did at the beginning of my career. He was over explaining things that really weren’t that important. It was almost like he was trying to impress people with all of his knowledge. I gave him the same advice I received from way back then. “Keep it simple, quit over explaining, stop selling, and start helping and remember to be enthusiastic.

In other words, repeat the things that have made you successful.” Incredibly, he’s back on track and doing better than ever.

Once again, getting back to the basics can apply to all areas of our lives. If you have found yourself in a funk, let me encourage you to think about the things you were doing before that allowed you to have success. Always remember the reasons you are doing what you are doing. Every now and then, you have to go back to your WHY.

It’s important that you do not allow any negativity into your life. Be careful what are exposing your mind to. Make sure your circle of influence is encouraging you and not trying to bring you down. Your mind is a powerful tool. Make sure you nourish it with nothing but positivity.

Put the past behind you, and let’s get back to the basics once again. Your future looks incredible. On this great journey of success, make sure you have piles of smiles through the miles of trials.

Happy Selling,

David