The High Cost of Negativity
You’ve got a lead in your hand. An appointment has been set and confirmed by your office. You’re an experienced salesperson. You know your product and you’ve been trained how to present it. If this is a successful sales call, you stand to earn a sizable commission. You believe you’re in the right frame of mind and you hope the customer is also.
But wait. This morning when you arose, you tuned into the local news. They explained how the economy was erratic, the stock market lost some points, unemployment hit a new high and the big box stores weren’t making the amount of money they projected earlier this year. However, you fluffed that off, had breakfast, met with those in your office and discussed last evening’s sales call and the reasons why prospects aren’t buying now.
Before your sales call, you pick up the local newspaper. You receive the same implants that you heard on television: stories of rapes, murders, assaults, robberies, state and local budget problems, potential tax increases and more.
You have been infected. Like it or not, unless you know how to counter this information, it may well affect your ability to sell the lead tonight – why, you ask?
Because whether the information is true or not, it is negative. Psychological studies show that as little as five or ten minutes of negative input can affect your central nervous system for up to twenty hours – reducing your energy and depleting your positivity.
Stay centered. The majority of homeowners are not facing foreclosure or unemployment. The majority of people want to keep their houses in good shape. Concentrate on the sales system. Ask for the order one more time. If they’re not buying, ask “why?” one more time. Don’t buy into the media negativity. Remind yourself, when people retrench, the majority of their spendable income still goes to their homes – and – stop reading the front page of the newspaper, spend less time on television news and spend more time with positivity.
The Prescription. Listen to and read about successful issues. Examine the positives in your life and in your business. Start giving your time to others and work harder on the continuing development of your professionalism.
Some years ago I made a speech to over 4,000 people entitled Yes You Can (Thriving in a Changing Economy). Now, this and other inexpensive recordings are being made available to bring the powerful forces of positive thinking into your life and your business today.
