|
As a business owner, I am also one of the team members responsible for business development and sales for our company. And I'll admit, the economic slowdown is affecting our business. However, I have a few tricks in my bag to help me stay motivated. I hope these will help you too! Decide HOW you want to be – Only you can decide how you will spend your time and what your attitude is every day. I figure, no matter what is happening in my life, it's a lot better to try to look for the positive in any situation. I also know that when I am in a bad mood time passes slowly, I feel terrible and I'm not nice to be around. That certainly does NOTHING to get me where I want to be! Play a game with yourself – I don't mean solitaire. Decide that you won't stop working for the day until you talk directly with three more decision makers. Or, you'll reward yourself with a cool new iPhone as soon as you close six more sales. Make a game out of how many people you can talk with in an hour. It sounds simplistic and silly, but it works! Ignore the news – I am a total news junkie! I particularly love politics and world news. But right now, the media is so focused on reporting all of the negative information about the markets and the economy that I feel myself getting angry when I listen to it. So, in recent weeks, I've listened to and watched a lot less news. I don't growl as much these days. Seek positive, successful people – You know who they are. These people are always excited and working to do good things for others around them. I have a friend who absolutely glows and attracts good people and things into her life – regardless of what's happening with her personally or professionally. I met with her the other night and by the time I left I was convinced that the economy is on fire! Business is happening and she is one of the people making it happen! You can be one of those people too. Stay healthy – At the risk of sounding like my mother, if you don't take care of yourself you can't do anything else. Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Eat healthy foods instead of fried, fast food that makes you feel sluggish. Don't drink too much caffeine. Do something active every day. You'll feel better and more energetic. I promise. I've tried both strategies and the healthy alternative definitely wins this argument! Study history – Read up on previous economic slowdowns. There have been several recessions since the Great Depression. People and businesses survive. Not all of them, but most of them! Some companies that are around today even got started during the Great Depression! And, just like the weather, no matter how bad it gets, the economy always improves. Look for opportunities – Team up with other people in your company to brainstorm about where new opportunities might be. A former client is a residential builder who was severely affected by the downturn, but he has now formed a service that provides maintenance and real market estimates for banks that own foreclosed properties. The banks pay him for this and he's still in business! Do anything – Finally, I've found that the best way to stay motivated is to just do something. Anything. Call a former client to let them know you were thinking of them and hope their business is doing well. Contact potential referral partners. Go to a networking meeting. Listen to motivational audio in the car or while you're working out. Get out there and promote yourself and your company. You will automatically get motivated! Know that you're better – If you can do these things to stay motivated, know that you are in the top percentile of your colleagues. Others will slow down their activity and use the economy as an excuse to slack off (see the article about 8 Ways to be a Sales Loser ). You can laugh knowing that you are doing more to earn business from their customers and prospects which is how sales superstars are made. |