This is the one that started it all. The original parody of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, I feel needed a little work. taking a Christmas song or poem and putting our special sales twist on it.
Sing along to the tune of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and join our fun.
Eddie the eager salesman Had a lots of curious deals And if he ever closed it It would really be unreal
All of his friends and family Kept saying go get a real job They always had poor Eddie Felling sad and not getting deals done.
Then one foggy Christmas eve Eddie trained real hard “Eddie, with his sales skills right Closed 3 deals Dual deals that night?”
In a world full of strife, where worries are rife, Eddie, the eager, brought hope to our life. With a smile so bright, he’d ignite the night, As they shouted with glee, what a wonderful sight!
“Eddie, the salesman,” they all would say, “Big residuals will come your way. You’ve changed your own life, it’s plain to see, Eddie the Eager salesman, He’ll go down in history.
I hope this little take on a classic Christmas song is better than last years and of course made you laugh a little and motivated you a lot to always be learning even during some down over the holiday break.
May you have a happy, healthy, safe holiday season, closing the year strong (yup, you can still close more sales and bounding into January with a fast start!
We can have a great cadence, a great system, tools, you name it. However, if our head is not in the right place let’s face it we are not going to be able to perform.
Some salespeople are afraid to pick up the phone and call a prospect or get out of their car. So we want to rely on automation via tools. Prospecting and sales is a person-to-person game, but the games begin in our own minds. Our mindset going in predetermines what we’re going to achieve coming out.
So how do you get our heads in the right place?
Lett’s look at five ways to create momentum with our mindset.
1. Remember your objective.
Our objective is to help others see and achieve what they didn’t think was possible. That’s it. Our objective is not to sell them but to help. But to do that, we’ve got to engage with them. The chances of them buying during the first call are slim to none. So our objective is just to engage them and to create a next step.
2. Break it down into activities.
It becomes much more palatable if we can just focus on the next activity. If we think every call has to lead to a sale, we are going to mentally mesh our mind up pretty quickly.
Instead, let’s focus on moving the customer through one step at a time.
3. Set early goals.
Early goals might be: By 9:00 AM I want to do this, or by 10:00 AM I want to complete that.
Think of goals that we know we can achieve. Why? Because it begins to help our minds thinking that we can win. Motivation creates motivation. Momentum creates momentum.
4. Write down our success list.
I was speaking with a gentleman the other day and he said, “I’m having a hard time prospecting because my head’s just not in the right place.” Hey, at least he was honest.
Take a piece of paper and write down your five or ten best customers, and then next to that, write down the outcomes you helped them achieve. Not what you sold them, but the outcomes you helped them achieve. And then you give yourself a big hug. Always focus on our successes. Don’t wallow in our defeats.
5. Create momentum with a cadence.
The top performing salespeople have a routine that they never deviate from. They stay with it. If you’re a runner, let’s say you get up in the morning and you go run. I’m sure there are days that you wake up in the morning and you don’t want to run. One of the best ways to get out of that head space is to have a routine, because it’s just what you do.
When our head is screwed on correctly it’s amazing how were going to listen better. And when we can listen effectively, I bet we’ll be more successful.
Being great is not something that just happens. Greatness is all up to you. The truth is everyone can be great at something.
When it all comes down to it, greatness has a simple formula to it. Anybody can achieve greatness, should they choose to. The path may not be spelled out perfectly, but it is there.
Each of us have been gifted with some very unique talent. There is something deep inside of you that you have been gifted with. The first step is to find out what that talent is. Finding your gift takes time and energy.
Second, and most important, once you find that talent, it is going to take a lot of time and energy to develop it. Talent alone is not enough. Sadly, most people do not want to put in the time or energy. The cemetery is filled with far too many people that never used their talents to their full potential. Unfortunately, for many people, the power of their excuses are much more powerful than their dreams and goals.
In order to be great, you have to have a commitment to greatness. Most people will never achieve true greatness in their life because they’re not willing to put in the work. It is important to understand that you were designed for greatness. You have a talent and an amazing gift inside of you. That is why you were created. So many people in this world will be blessed by you when you find that gift and nurture that gift and work hard at it. Whether you realize it or not, that is your purpose.
Most people feel that being average is just good enough for them. They find something that they’re good at and make a pretty good living at it. Even though, they are not achieving fulfillment, they’re satisfied because their bills might be paid by the end of the month. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is not a put down. My point is that there is much more to life than that.
When you think about mediocrity, it is just as close to the bottom as it is to the top. My question for you today is are you ready to achieve greatness? As I stated, you are amazingly gifted at something. Get a paper and pen and write out your talents and believe me, you have a lot of them. Now, it is time to make a commitment to being great with these talents.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to put a success plan together. Take a look at your inner circle. There’s a good chance you may need to change some of the people you are spending a lot of time with. Take inventory of what your daily habits look like. it’s time to change some of them as well.
Most important, it’s time to go to work. It will not be easy, but I promise you this, the results will be amazing.
Are you ready to level up?
Are you ready to achieve your maximum potential?
Are you ready for greatness?
This is your time to go out and make it happen. Start your greatness journey today!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. For a couple of weeks every year the world takes on a magic glow, people seem merrier and even winter somehow feels cozy.
Whether you’re celebrating a religious festival, like Hanukkah or Christmas, or a more secular occasion, you’re sure to have your own selection of rituals or customs that make the holiday season so special. Our favorite Christmas traditions around the world are loud, proud, and guarantee oodles of festive fun.
Here are Top 10 weird & Cool Christmas traditions from around the world
10. Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines
The Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul Sampernandu) is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando – the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” The festival attracts spectators from all over the country and across the globe. Eleven barangays (villages) take part in the festival and competition is fierce as everyone pitches in trying to build the most elaborate lantern. Originally, the lanterns were simple creations around half a metre in diameter, made from ‘papal de hapon’ (Japanese origami paper) and lit by candle. Today, the lanterns are made from a variety of materials and have grown to around six meters in size. They are illuminated by electric bulbs that sparkle in a kaleidoscope of patterns.
9. Gävle Goat, Sweden
Since 1966, a 13-metre-tall Yule Goat has been built in the center of Gävle’s Castle Square for the Advent, but this Swedish Christmas tradition has unwittingly led to another “tradition” of sorts – people trying to burn it down. Since 1966 the Goat has been successfully burned down 29 times – the most recent destruction was in 2016.
If you want to see how the Goat fares this year when it goes up on December 1st, you can follow its progress on the Visit Gävle website through a live video stream.
8. The Yule Lads, Iceland
In the 13 days leading up to Christmas, 13 tricksy troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. The Yule Lads (jólasveinarnir or jólasveinar in Icelandic) visit the children across the country over the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. For each night of Yuletide, children place their best shoes by the window and a different Yule Lad visits leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. Clad in traditional Icelandic costume, these fellas are pretty mischievous, and their names hint at the type of trouble they like to cause: Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod), Giljagaur (Gully Gawk), Stúfur (Stubby), Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker), Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper), Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker), Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer), Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler), Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper), Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper), Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer), Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) and Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer). Visit Iceland this Christmas and catch them all!
7. Norway
Perhaps one of the most unorthodox Christmas Eve traditions can be found in Norway, where people hide their brooms. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries to when people believed that witches and evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. To this day, many people still hide their brooms in the safest place in the house to stop them from being stolen.
6. Lighting of National Hanukkah Menorah, Washington, D.C. – US
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is celebrated with much fanfare across the United States with one of the most elaborate events taking place on a national stage. Since 1979, a giant nine-meter Menorah has been raised on the White House grounds for the eight days and nights of Hanukkah. The ceremony in Washington, D.C. is marked with speeches, music, activities for kids, and, of course, the lighting of the Menorah.
The lighting of the first candle at the White House takes place at 4pm, rain or shine, and an additional candle is lit each successive night.
5. Venezuela
Love Christmas, but think it could be improved by a spot of roller-blading? If the answer is yes, visit Caracas, Venezuela this year. Every Christmas Eve, the city’s residents head to church in the early morning – so far, so normal – but, for reasons known only to them, they do so on roller skates. This unique tradition is so popular that roads across the city are closed to cars so that people can skate to church in safety, before heading home for the less-than-traditional Christmas dinner of ‘tamales’
4. Day of the Little Candles, Colombia
Little Candles’ Day (Día de las Velitas) marks the start of the Christmas season across Colombia. In honor of the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception, people place candles and paper lanterns in their windows, balconies and front yards. The tradition of candles has grown, and now entire towns and cities across the country are lit up with elaborate displays. Some of the best are found in Quimbaya, where neighborhoods compete to see who can create the most impressive arrangement.
3. Cavalcade of Lights, Toronto
In wintry, wonderful Toronto the annual Cavalcade of Lights marks the official start to the holiday season. The first Cavalcade took place in 1967 to show off Toronto’s newly constructed City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. The Square and Christmas tree are illuminated by more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights that shine from dusk until 11 pm until the New Year. On top of that, you’ll get to witness spectacular fireworks shows and engage in some outdoor ice skating.
2. Saint Nicholas’ Day, Germany
Not to be confused with Weihnachtsmann (Father Christmas), Nikolaus travels by donkey in the middle of the night on December 6 (Nikolaus Tag) and leaves little treats like coins, chocolate, oranges and toys in the shoes of good children all over Germany, and particularly in the Bavarian region. St. Nicholas also visits children in schools or at home and in exchange for sweets or a small present each child must recite a poem, sing a song or draw a picture. In short, he’s a great guy. But it isn’t always fun and games. St. Nick often brings along Knecht Ruprecht (Farmhand Rupert). A devil-like character dressed in dark clothes covered with bells and a dirty beard, Knecht Ruprecht carries a stick or a small whip in hand to punish any children who misbehave.
And the # 1 Top 10 weird & Cool Christmas traditions from around the world is.
1. Kentucky Fried Christmas Dinner, Japan
Christmas has never been a big deal in Japan. Aside from a few small, secular traditions such as gift-giving and light displays, Christmas remains largely a novelty in the country. However, a new, quirky “tradition” has emerged in recent years – a Christmas Day feast of the Colonel’s very own Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The festive menu will soon be advertised on the KFC Japan website and, even if you don’t understand Japanese, the pictures sure will look delicious with everything from a Christmas-themed standard bucket to a premium roast-bird feast.
KFC for Christmas? I may could get behind that. Is the coleslaw allowed? They do have good biscuits.
They are great on a relaxing Saturday afternoon as a pleasant diversion from the craziness of the holiday season.
Many Christmas movies are light on plot and heavy on sentimentality. Others have a strong moral message, or maybe remind the kids to be good, because Santa Claus IS watching.
I enjoy them all, because they’re invariably about appreciating the good in your life, even when it’s hard to recognize. It’s a wonderful reminder any time of year.
It won’t surprise you that my favorite Christmas movies are the ones that surprise you with the wise business lessons hidden at their core. If you’re partial to the Hallmark variety of Christmas movies, you’ve no doubt witnessed their unending variety of charming small town shops, seasonal bakeries, and craft competitions.
Fair warning: I won’t be taking a public position on the great “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” debate (it is by the way). But here are some holiday classics and the business wisdom they share:
1. Money isn’t everything – but it does help–
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This is a classic Christmas Time business reminder: there is a lot more to life than money.
In “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” the boss’s decision to eliminate holiday bonuses nearly sends Clark Griswold off the proverbial cliff. In an effort to save a few bucks, Mr. Shirley nearly ruined the holiday season and maybe even the year for his employees. At the movie’s climax, Clark describes what a rotten move it was, explaining to Mr. Shirley how employees depend on it as a portion of their income. Mr. Shirley learns that alienating his employees is no way to run a business or make a profit, and Clark learns that he doesn’t need an extravagant backyard pool. A similar business lesson appears in the Holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.” The hardworking but chronically underpaid Kermit the Frog – I mean Bob Cratchit – embodies the ideal that money isn’t everything. He and his family are a loving group that appreciate what they have, but most importantly appreciate each other. Their generous and loving spirit convinces Michael Cain-;I mean Scrooge-;that his miserly ways are not sustainable for his business or his life.
2. Be Yourself – ELF
In “Elf,” Will Ferrell’s Buddy is different from the elves on the North Pole, with hands that are too big to make the intricate toys. Buddy’s enthusiasm and Christmas spirit, however, are boundless, and it turns out that he is a fabulous storyteller. Interestingly, famous author Miles Finch is the only other gifted author, and he, too, is physically different from those around him. Even the combined efforts of all the generic businessmen in suits cannot match what Buddy and Miles are able to accomplish. Buddy is also an inspiration to those around him, unafraid to spread joy by decorating elaborately and “singing loud for all to hear.” What makes Buddy different is what makes him great. This is the most important thing you can give your customers. Don’t try to be like everyone else. Your unique value proposition is why they want to do business with you.
3. There’s bad karma in ruining others. – Trading Spaces
If you are looking for an end-of-the-year boost in sales and productivity, just about the worst thing a boss can do is to negatively influence the personal lives of their employees. This type of upheaval carries directly over into the workplace, and is almost certain to negatively impact your company. In “Trading Spaces,” the Duke brothers use Winthorpe and Valentine as guinea pigs in a twisted social experiment.
When Winthorpe and Valentine realize how they have been abused, they rain down karmic fire on the brothers. Ultimately, the Duke brothers lose everything over a $1 bet. When doing business, conduct yourself with honor. People do business with people they like, so it’s a profitable strategy. Plus, what goes around comes around, and you don’t need to sew any bad seeds.
4. Dream Big – A Christmas Story
Throughout most of “A Christmas Story,” Ralphie Parker strategizes how to convince the adults in his life that he is mature enough for a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. He tries to make lawyerly arguments to his mother, is cooperative when asked to help his little brother, and is (almost) tolerant when forced to wear a humiliating costume made by an aunt. Ralphie puts forth considerable effort paying his dues to prove he is mature enough for the rifle. Even though on Christmas morning it appears that his dream will not come true, Ralphie is content with his Christmas, and has come to appreciate his family more than ever before. When it is revealed that he is, in fact, receiving the rifle, the victory is all the sweeter from the effort he put into achieving it. You should dream big in business, too, no matter how unachievable it seems.
We are 11 days away from Christmas! Enjoy the season and don’t stress over what we can’t control.
It’s that time of year for me to attempt to write a sales rendition of a favorite Christmas song or poem. I already done something similar with an Ode to Black Friday. I’ve chosen the classic song that also purported to be the first song ever played in space back in 1965 by the Gemini 6 astronauts: “Jingle Bells!”
Get the tune solidly in mind, then use these salesy lyrics to have a holiday laugh all the way to the bank.
(In the tune of Jingle Bells, of course)
Dashing for the sale End of year is here. It seems you cannot fail, Sales closing big and fast Making your wallet cheer. What fun it is to close at last Prospects from last year!
Oh, Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle to the bank! Oh, what fun it is to beat Your quota every year. Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle to the bank Oh! what fun it is to beat Your goal every month!
A day or two ago I thought I’d made a sale The prospect he pulled back I thought for sure he’d bale. The prospect was in need His fortunes seemed a lot He signed with good speed Oh the residuals I’ll make!
Oh, Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle to the bank! Oh, what fun it is to beat Your quota every month. Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle to the bank Oh! what fun it is to beat Your quota every month!
Should I do a different song next week? Maybe Frosty? Let me know. I wish you much success as you push to close the year strong .
When you think of salespeople on film, movies like Glengarry Glen Ross, The Boiler Room, and The Wolf of Wall Street are probably the first that come to mind, probably because of the blog post I’ve made in the past. As we have discussed in past post, movies about sales can deliver some truly motivational messages, but the sharp-suited, smooth-talking salespeople of Hollywood don’t have to be your only sources of inspiration as a sales executive.
You can find great sales tips almost anywhere if you know what to look for. I’ve rounded up once again some of the best films to watch to help you up your sales game. Grab some popcorn and fire up your media device: here are seven top sales lessons from the finest entrepreneurs of the silver screen—as well as some from a few more unlikely flicks.
1. The movie: The Revenant The lesson: Resilience
You’ll probably never be in a situation where you’re attacked by a bear and left for dead, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still learn a thing or two from Hugh Glass, whose insane story of hardiness and survival was the basis for 2015’s The Revenant. In the movie, fur trapper Glass gets into a tussle with a bear after disturbing the animal and her cubs. Severely wounded and unlikely to survive, Glass is buried alive by a member of his trapping party and left for dead. Alone, without food or supplies, and inflicted with savage and infected wounds, Glass drags himself through the bitter wilderness to seek revenge on the man who not only left him behind but also murdered his son. Sometimes in merchant services we facing rejection after rejection as a salesperson can feel like being mauled by a bear, but it’s crucial that you steel yourself, claw your way out of that metaphorical shallow grave, and soldier on towards the close. If Hugh Glass can go through all that and survive, you can bounce back after that rejection. We believe in you. And if you ever are confronted by a grizzly bear, play dead. In a nice bit of synchronicity, the film also earned Leonardo DiCaprio his first Academy Award, after five nominations and 22 years after his first nod; yet another illustration of the importance of resilience.
2. The movie: The Pursuit of Happyness The lesson: Dedication
There aren’t many better examples of commitment in cinema history than in The Pursuit of Happyness. The film tells the true story of single father Christopher Gardner, who pushed through poverty, homelessness, and adversity to forge a successful career as a stockbroker, despite having limited education and experience. Despite not having a roof over his head, Gardner wholly devotes himself to his unpaid internship, determined to beat out his fellow interns to win a salaried position at the end of his tenure. Driven by his ambition and a desire to provide for his young son, Gardner achieves success by pushing forward, undeterred by the obstacles he faces.
The film had a particular impact on our Senior Sales Manager Craig Dalziel. “The scenes where Chris Gardner is relentlessly cold calling businesses in order to try and become financially stable again for the sake of his son really made an impression,” said Dalziel, “especially when he finally turns around the chance to meet a CEO.
“For me, it showed a lot about following process, as well as determination. It also hammered home just how much you need to put your own spin on things and really inject yourself into the circle that you want to move in to get the end result. In Gardner’s case, it was a meeting with a CEO, but it could just as easily be a sale.”
His undying dedication is a testament to what you can achieve if you really devote yourself to your goals. As Gardner himself says in the movie: “[If] people can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”
3. The movie: The Shawshank Redemption The lesson: Perseverance
We’d all like to deliver a dazzling pitch and close a sale in one fell swoop, but it doesn’t always work that way. The reality is that it takes an average of eight touches just to create a viable lead. You can’t expect to knock ‘em dead first time, every time, so you need to persevere. If anyone knows the value of perseverance, it’s The Shawshank Redemption’s Andy Dufresne. Sentenced to life at the notoriously hostile Shawshank prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Dufresne endeavors to maintain a low profile and keep himself to himself. Upon his arrival at Shawshank, he acquires a small rock hammer from prison contraband smuggler Red. Unbeknownst to his fellow inmates or the prison administrators, Dufresne spends the next 19 years chiseling a tunnel, one tiny chunk of rock at a time, until he’s finally able to escape the prison and recoup his freedom. So next time you’re feeling defeated, think about old Andy Dufresne, and remember that some things worth achieving take time.
4. The movie: Little Miss Sunshine The lesson: Self-belief
The story of a young girl with big dreams of taking part in a beauty pageant, Little Miss Sunshine embodies the spirit of self-assurance. Olive Hoover might not look like the homogenous, picture-perfect pageant entrants she’s up against, but she’s determined to give it a shot. She trusts that she can succeed because she believes in herself, even if her family would rather protect her from a potentially humiliating failure. Olive, with her conviction and a fine collection of leotards, slowly wins her family’s support. Her enthusiasm and confidence are infectious, proving that a positive attitude is not only beneficial for you, it also buoys those around you. Take a leaf out of Olive’s book; believe in what you’re selling, and moreover, in your ability to sell it. Stay positive, dream big, and good things will come your way.
5. The movie: The Room The lesson: Ambition
“Tommy, you can’t act.” “Tommy, you can’t direct.” “Tommy, your movie script is terrible.” It’s likely that Tommy Wiseau, auteur of notoriously abysmal movie The Room, heard the above pretty often early on in his “career.” Did Tommy listen? No. He went ahead and made his magnum opus anyway, and it’s since become an enormous success—albeit not in the way it was initially intended—celebrated by millions of fans around the world. Tommy had ambition. That ambition may have slightly exceeded the scope of his talent, but that’s what makes The Room such an incredible feat of aspiration and hard work. Without that drive, someone with equally debatable gifts would never have been able to make a film, let alone a film so utterly confounding that it would go on to become known as the best worst film ever made. Made on a budget of $6 million, The Room grossed $1,800 at the box office. After the film gained cult status, Wiseau is thought to have made an estimated $9 million in screenings and $3 million in DVD and Blu-ray sales.
6. The movie: Tommy Boy The lesson: Playing to your strengths
Tommy Boy may be a movie about sales, but its hero is definitely no Jordan Belfort. When underachieving and farcically incompetent Tommy Callaghan inherits his late father’s auto parts business, he is desperate to keep the company going to protect both his father’s legacy and the employees that work there. “If at first you don’t succeed,” the movie’s tagline posits, “lower your standards.” But that’s not really what Tommy Boy is about. Though Tommy does not have the experience, or the charisma, or the skills (stay with me here) usually required of a successful salesperson, he learns to use the skills he has to his advantage. Just when Tommy and his frustrated traveling companion Richard seem at the end of their rope, Richard realizes that Tommy’s innate ability to read people could be the key to turning him into a killer sales machine. The real lesson here is that there’s more than one route to get to where you want to go. Don’t be afraid to read the situation and try different tactics if you think that’s what the situation calls for, even if that means being vulnerable, or using a little humor to get a potential client on side.
7. The movie: The Founder The lesson: Integrity
The world’s largest fast-food chain may have started as a small family business, but it wasn’t the McDonald brothers who catapulted their name and their restaurant to global domination. That task fell to Ray Kroc, a middle-aged milkshake machine salesman who turned the brothers’ matchlessly effective burger joint into an international empire. Kroc’s morally-dubious climb to the top is at the center of 2016 film The Founder. What begins as a story of opportunism and grit quickly turns dark as Kroc seeks to push the restaurant’s founders out of the picture in the search for bigger profits. Kroc’s ruthlessness soon gives rise to problematic business decisions, crooked transactions, and broken promises. You might wonder how an entrepreneur who was worth $1.4bn at the time of his death can be considered anything but a success, but Kroc’s story can also be a cautionary tale. Kroc got what he wanted—a hugely lucrative franchise business and full control over the concept he’d filched from the McDonald brothers—but he had to do a lot of questionable dealings to get it.
The Founder poses the question; how much of your integrity, and your conscience, are you willing to sacrifice to land a win?
If you embody all of the other values we’ve covered in this post, you don’t need to resort to underhanded tactics to succeed. Do it the right way, and your victory will be sweeter than a McFlurry on a hot summer day, If the machines are working.
If you really want true success, you have to train your mind to be stronger than your emotions. Our emotions have the ability to influence everything in our lives. Our emotions can be wonderful things, but when they go unchecked, it can certainly lead to a lot of problems. This is why it’s important to develop the right mindset.
A while back, I was speaking to someone about what it takes to have success. As I was covering the importance of consistent work habits, discipline, and commitment, I started feeling his disappointment. He expressed to me that he definitely would like to have the lifestyle that goes with success but when it came time to doing what it takes to achieve that success, he really didn’t FEEL like doing that. This is when I pointed out to him that his feelings have nothing to do with it. It’s not about whether you feel like doing it or not, it’s all about mindset.
Many years ago, I made a commitment that I needed to change my lifestyle in order to get to the life I wanted.
That meant giving up some things that quite frankly I enjoyed. I knew that it was going to require discipline, and it also meant that if I wanted to look good and feel good, I would have to do things that on many days I wouldn’t feel like doing.
This included waking up early and having a daily exercise program. I will admit that there are many days when I wake up in the morning and I say to myself, “I honestly don’t feel like working out today.“ That’s when I remind myself that my feelings have nothing to do with it. If I truly want success, I have to do what it takes in order to achieve that.
This applies to the business world as well. If you really want to have a successful life, you have to be willing to do what most people won’t do. If you want to be in the 1% club, for example, you have to be willing to do what 99% of people do not do. Success requires dedication, commitment, and consistency over a long period of time. There will be many days when you just don’t feel like doing what it takes. This is why it’s important to remind yourself to not let your feelings get in the way of your success journey. This is where the mindset makes the difference. Achieving great success in life depends a lot on your mindset. How we think will affect the overall success in our lives. When we understand that there are days that we will not feel like doing what it takes, the mindset of discipline will take over.
Many people drift through their life, not really knowing what they want to achieve. This is why it’s important to have clear and precise goals. You must write these goals out and make sure that they are specific. Make sure you have both short-term and long-term goals. So when the days pop up that you don’t feel like doing what it takes to become successful, your success mindset will take over remembering why you are doing the success plan. Whenever you feel, like throwing in the towel, this is when you remember. WHY you are consistently working and never giving up.
You will have challenges and difficulties along the way but, no matter what, you must stick to your daily routine. It’s what you do each day that truly matters. Success lies in your daily routine. You will find as you work your plan over a period of time, this becomes your success routine, which makes it a lot easier to do.
As you begin your new success journey, remind yourself each day that this has nothing to do with your feelings. Whether it’s business, getting healthy, exercising, changing behavior, etc., it is going to take a plan. Write out that plan and look at it every day. Don’t let any negative feelings get in your way. This is all about what you are trying to accomplish. Get your mindset right and go for it 100%.
There will be days when you just don’t feel like it. Do it anyway! Your future self will thank you. This is your time! Get on a consistent plan and go out and make it happen!
It’s that time of the year again. When friends and family gather together to celebrate the winter holiday that is Christmas. I love the holiday season (As you can tell by the holiday themed blogs), everyone is so cheerful, there’s decorations everywhere, there is just something in the air that makes the month of December so merry. And lets not forget about the wonderful Christmas music that we hear everywhere we go. I will be listing my favorite Christmas songs that I have played on repeat during this time, and hopefully you will give them a listen and enjoy them as much as I do. Hard to believe Christmas is just a week away.
# 10 “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams
Andy Williams perfectly describes why Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. As soon as this song starts playing you can’t help but think of all the great things that come with this time of year.
# 9 “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney
This is my personal favorite Christmas song. As soon as December rolls around this song will be played in my house non stop. It’s such an unusual sounding song but its the uniqueness that makes you enjoy it. Plus how could you go wrong with a Paul McCartney song lets be honest everything he creates is amazing.
# 8 “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid
Before Live Aid, this song was the original plan for musicians to help raise money for the starving children in Africa. Band Aid was made up of some of the most talented and popular musicians of the time. They all joined together to create a musical masterpiece that would become something so much bigger than a Christmas song. The song itself is fantastic, the melodies and musical arrangements are lovely, the singing is so great and you get a little taste of all your favorite 80’s singers in one song. This might be one of the most famous and monumental collaborations between musicians in a song in history. #7 “Last Christmas” by Wham!
There is no better example that best represents the 80’s contribution to Christmas songs than “Last Christmas” by Wham!, the vocals are truly exceptional and the music is perfect. You can’t help but sing along.
#6 “White Christmas” by Eric Clapton
Leave it to Clapton to take a classic Christmas song and add some awesome blues guitar riffs to it. Clapton’s entire Christmas album is fantastic and every song is stunning especially if you are a big rock or blues fan such as myself. Clapton takes these traditional holiday songs and makes them rock and roll which is really everything I want out of a Christmas song. I highly encourage you to listen to any Clapton Christmas song, but this one in particular is my favorite.
#5 “Christmas All Over Again” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
This song is absolutely wonderful, and joyful. Such a cheerful tune, great chorus to sing along to, beautiful melody and great lyrics to get you excited for the Christmas season.
#4 “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson slows things down in this song, making you ponder on the good things in your life and appreciate your family and friends that you have in your life as you listen. Clarkson’s version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is such a heartwarming and comforting song that makes you realize the real meaning of Christmas and the holiday season.
#3 “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms
“Jingle Bell Rock” might be the most perfect song for any Christmas party, it’s an upbeat groovy song that will get you dancing. Pour yourself some eggnog, invite some friends over and have a ball. This is the time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of real life and take a moment to enjoy those around you.
#2 “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen
The BOSS’s version of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” lights every Christmas emotion within me and releases it in a rock and roll Christmas jam! It is impossible to listen to this and not sing along with Bruce singing at the top of your lungs. I love this song so much, it makes me feel like a kid again and get excited for Santa Claus to come.
And the Number 1 Christmas Song is…..
#1 “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Starting off with one of the most played Christmas songs in existence, Mariah Carey seems to re-emerge from the musical grave once a year when everyone in the world plays this song. I’ll be the first to admit that no song quite gets me in the Christmas spirit as much as this beautiful rendition of “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Carey’s voice is so powerful and does such an amazing job in putting you in a cheerful and loving mood.
These are some of my favorite Christmas songs to listen to each and every year. They all do such a good job in getting me in the Christmas spirit and remembering the true meaning of Christmas which is to appreciate what you have and all of the wonderful people in your life, this is the season to spend time with those people and take a step back from real life for a moment and enjoy the little things.
You don’t usually associate Christmas movies with lessons for salespeople, and that got us thinking.
To be honest, our premise was simple. Christmas movies are full of warmth. Sales is demanding and relentless. Could we get this warmth to rub off on salespeople, so they can find more joy in their job?
So I picked five Christmas movies and got to work. Eventually I didn’t have to work too hard because, well, Christmas movies have something for everyone. They’re Christmas movies, after all.
Here we go.
1. Home Alone (1990)
We start with a Christmas classic. An eight-year-old boy is left behind at home by his family when they set off on their Christmas vacation. Two robbers decide to target the house, and a series of hilarious antics follow. In the unlikely event that you haven’t watched this one, now’s a good time to start. I mean, like right now. I’ll wait. It’s worth it.
Back? Awesome! But what does Home Alone have for sales folks? One simple lesson. Remember the basics.
A family leaving their son behind sounds incredulous, but it’s happened. The lights, the gas, the windows—they’re always on our mind, but the children? They’re just supposed to be there, right? Not always, as it turns out. And that’s the kind of oversight sales folks can make too. We’re so obsessed with nudging leads down the sales funnel that sometimes, we forget the basics. Has that new lead received a welcome email? Has enough research been done before that call for tomorrow? What about updating a lead’s status in the sales CRM?
Sticking to the basics makes a solid impression on leads who’re checking out your business. And a solid impression can be the difference when the lead evaluates you against your competition.
2. Die Hard (1988)
Critics have debated for years if Die Hard is a Christmas movie, but I prefer to keep it simple. Think of Bruce Willis arriving on Christmas Eve to reconcile with his wife over her company’s Christmas party. The party is taken over by terrorists who actually want to loot the company. Bruce proceeds to knock the daylights out of the bad guys, saves his wife and ensures everybody goes home happy and safe. Sounds like a proper Christmas tale to me.With heavy-duty action, of course.
When you’ve just won a deal, it’s tempting to yell, “Yippee-ki-yay!” (followed by the un-Christmas-like word). But that’s not where we’re going. Die Hard is about how you battle it out when the numbers are stacked against you. One cop versus twelve bad guys is no joke. One salesperson juggling seven deals is no joke either. So what do you do?
Plan and execute.
Your deal pipeline will always have a bunch of deals vying for your attention. If you’re going for all the golden eggs at the same time, you’re killing your chances. Treat each deal on merit, look at which stage a deal is in, and make your move.
P.S. Being able to visualize your pipeline is a good way to start planning.
A Christmas Carol is a novella written by Charles Dickens. Numerous adaptations have been made for the stage and for the silver screen; it’s so synonymous with Christmas that London’s Sunday Telegraph described Dickens as “The Man Who Invented Christmas.” It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser, and how he is reformed by three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. It’s a tale about introspection, the futility of hoarding, and the importance of compassion.
Sounds too altruistic for sales? Perhaps. But A Christmas Carol has a takeaway that’s especially relevant for salespeople.
Reflect on yourself.
You know sales is not a “today” job; a win today is the result of a cumulative effort spanning several months. Therefore, make it a point to regularly take stock of yourself. Analyze recent conversations with leads. Which email worked? At what time did a call elicit the best response? Why was this month better than the last? In today’s times there’s no dearth of data. Use it to become the best salesperson you can be.
This delightful movie—about a man who positively believes he’s Santa Claus—is rich in idealism and epitomizes the Christmas spirit of goodwill. It even has a scene where the protagonist sends Macy’s customers to a competitor for toys Macy’s doesn’t have! The whole honesty thing might seem like a bit of a stretch in the real world, but this is one quality that never lets you down. Even when you’re in a cut-throat job like sales.
Stay honest.
There are times when you know a lead isn’t meant to be. They could be asking for something your business doesn’t offer right now (and isn’t likely to offer ever); they might not have the budget. That’s the time to take a stand and move on. This is not an altruistic decision, it’s a practical one. A dissatisfied lead walks away; an unhappy customer takes your reputation with them. Call the lead to describe the situation and shake hands over it. Or drop them a well-worded email. Either way, don’t leave leads hanging on visions of a business you’re not.
P.S. If your phone and email are integrated into the sales CRM, it’s easier for you to reach out.
It’s a Wonderful Life is to Christmas what cheese is to pizza. When you’re Googling for “best Christmas movies”, you’ll find this movie at one spot: #1. And for good reason, too. It’s a Wonderful Life takes viewers into the life of a banker contemplating suicide, and shows how divine intervention helps him realize the value of life. For the Christmas season, that’s exactly the kind of feel-good fervor we all need. Two words sum up the movie’s essence.
Don’t quit.
A lost deal or a bad week at the office doesn’t mean there’s no chance of a comeback. Yes, mistakes suck. Yes, they can be demoralizing. But step back for a moment and think about everything you’re capable of doing for your team. Think about the difference you can make to the bottom line this month, this quarter, this year. And then step ahead.
P.S. A 360° view of leads helps you understand them better, and can eliminate missteps.
That’s it from us. Remember the basics, plan and execute, reflect on yourself, stay honest, and don’t quit.
I’m sure there are more Christmas movies we can take inspiration from. Let me know.
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