How much do you value you?

It's always pretty hard to sell something you don't believe in 100%. You surely have had to do it. Perhaps it was a new policy at your work, or a new product line. Maybe it was a strategy the big boss said ‘let's make it happen!' and you had to deliver it to customers or staff with little or no say in the matter.

But if you think ‘selling' is hard when you don't believe in it, imagine just how hard it is for the buyer to 'buy-in' to the product! Often the buyer is desperate to find a product that is going to offer them real value. In many cases they really want you to succeed. Really, when you think about it, who would ever want to buy off a loser? We actually want to buy from successful, vibrant, passionate, and most importantly, authentic people. So the reality is your customers, clients, or colleagues are really cheering for you.

But few ‘sales' exist without a value proposition; and that value proposition starts with you. The reality is that people 'buy' people. We have the best Thai restaurant near our place and the thing that makes it the best is the friendly staff and warm reception we get every time we walk in the door.

Do you really value the work you perform? Do you value your time and knowledge? Do you value the unique difference and expertise that you bring to the exchange?

To try getting people to ‘buy' you, you must value yourself first and foremost.

Warm wishes,

Darren & Alison

Stay in the game

Watching the men's final of the Australian Open on Sunday night got me thinking about mental toughness, those blokes have got it by the bucketload.

There were a number of times when I noticed that one player was sitting on 40 - 0, seemingly winning the game, only to then be battling it out at deuce a few shots later. Elite tennis players have mastered the art of being able to cope with the constant swing between being on a 'winning streak' to 'defending the point'. To stay in the game requires mental toughness, self-confidence and an abundance of resilience.

It sounds straightforward. Of course we would do the same if we had Federer's athletic prowess and talent. But in our everyday lives how often do we sit back when we think we are 'home and hosed' only to then be rattled and possibly even 'throw in the towel' at the first sign that we may be defeated.

Whatever it is you are facing this week at work or at home realise that you've got all the resources you need in your court. And if things ever look like they might be starting to beat you dig deep, look forward and use your mental toughness to stay in the game.

Love

Darren and Alison