What You Think About Me is None of My Business!

This is a very profound statement. I don't mean the above statement in an obnoxious way. I learnt this statement in the Entrepreneur Action Program (EAP) I attended. Basically, what they are saying and what I have mentioned in some of my previous articles is that you should not be "SHY". No matter how good or bad you are somebody is always going to have an opinion about you and you can't change that. Even if you know what they think about you most of the time you can't change their views.You can only change the way you feel about the situation and hence you can say this to yourself silently- "What You Think About Me is None of My Business!"

Many a time, we are caught in a situation where we are worried about our "FACE", i.e., how people view us. It is ingrained in the eastern culture especially where we are concerned about what others would say about us even if they are strangers and you will not see them again. This "FACE" thing limits our potential and our chances for greater success.

I have been in "SALES" for more than 15 years and I started with from ground zero. I was shy, timid and atypical of a Sales guy. But as you practice meeting more people and talking to them you become better at it. Now I will force myself to to do things I am not comfortable with. I worry less about what other people think. You don't have to be a Sales person to be brave.

I have met many wonderful people. But I also had to talk to strangers,  people who just did what they were paid to do and did not care who I was. I had to still meet them and share my products and service. I was sensitive or timid I would not be able to do my job effectively.

Here are somethings you can do train yourself to apply this "advice":
1) Practice what you want to ask a few times.
2) Treat the person you are about to talk to as someone you know or as a friend.
3) Be sincere and be honest. As long as you do that people may want to listen to what you have to say.
4) Just Ask.....what is the worse that can happen is you.....you get a "NO". So What? What if the person thinks you are "CRAZY"? So What? (Don't be obnoxious and say anything nasty. You will regret it.). Say this to yourself silently- "What You Think About Me is None of My Business!"
5) Just say "Thank You" and move to the next person.

If you want a real life example, just look at Susan Boyle. Nobody gave her a chance when she first went on stage "Britain's Got Talent" contest. Now,everybody is mesmerized by her voice. Who is laughing all the way to the bank? Was she worried about what people thought of her. Maybe. She just went on stage and gave her best effort and she won over her harshest & shallow critics, some of whom thought she was not pretty enough to sing.

"What You Think About Me is None of My Business!" - I wish I had learnt this when I first started my Sales Job. I had to learn it the hard way. Now I would like to share this with you so that you can save yourself some heartache and also achieve greater success in your work and in your personal life.

Have a Wonderful Day!

Cheers,
Mark

Feedback Time

Hi Friends,

I have been writing this blog since 2007. Initially, I wanted to do it for altruistic reason. The reason being, my stories/ideas may help someone who is in need of help  but did not know who to turn to or someone who needed some advise on some pressing matters. However, I have come to enjoy this writing process even more now as I find it therapeutic and sometime reinforces what I know or have forgotten to apply.

I would love to hear your comments and opinions so that I can be inspired to write more.For those who have posted comments, I am grateful to you.

Have a Great Day! Love All Serve All!

Cheers,
Mark

Adversity....Face It!

Hi Friends,

"Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it."


Lou Holtz , from Brainy Quotes

When you are faced with "Adversity", you can either swim or sink. The choice is yours.

I was watching the "History Channel" and I listened to this lady in the United States who had to single handedly bring up her four children when her husband was captured as a "Prisoner-of-War" (POW). She managed to bring up the kids single handedly until her husband came back 7 years later. The husband coming back created its own set of problems because she had been the "boss" while he had gone to fight the Vietnam War, but the point is that she managed without him.

There are more motivational stories, you just need to read magazines like Reader's Digest which is one my favourite magazine- http://www.rd.com/ .

The point is that if you give up easily then nobody can help you. But if you analyse your problem without getting paralysed by it, and you focus on finding a solution, you will find an answer or somebody or some organization will be able to assist you. There are a lot of kind people in this world. You just need to open your mouth and ask.

If you do not believe me, put this idea to the test.... the next time you go shopping (except in BIG Departmental Stores where they have "SALE" or DISCOUNT") just open your mouth and ask for a discount or ask for a "value add" - basically if they do not give discount, you ask for a freebie for example, a free item like a free drink or free bag or golf balls, free cap. You may get a discount or a free product in addition to your main purchase. The worse that could happen is you may get a "no" which does not leave you any worse. At least you tried. The more you practice this the better you will become at asking. And you can use it for any circumstances even asking for a date.

Likewise, when you are faced with an adversity, ask for help from friends, colleagues, experts, organizations, your Member of Parliament or your Mayor, etc. All you need to do is ask, and ask and ask until you get an answer. Your persistance will pay off eventually.

I believe in the "Never Say Die" attitude.

Good Luck!

Cheers,
Mark

What are you waiting for?

 ......Take Care of Yourself Now!!!

I was talking to couple of elderly men who are in their 70s and 80s last night. I was impressed by the fact that despite their age they were cheerful and more importantly they are socially active and trying to contribute their share to society. And we youngsters tend to gripe about our lives even though we have a good life.

The elderly men are able to live a fulfilling life because they have an active life and they have a purpose for living. Some of  them enjoy caring for their grandchildren while their children are stressed out at work.

We too ( and I mean those in their 30s, 40s & 50s) can live a similar life at their age if we are able take charge of our lives now. What we do now when you 20 or 30 will have and effect when you 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 years old. If you live a carefree life now, then be prepared for "carefree illness"-heart attack, diabetes, cancer, etc. We are all built genetically different, therefore we all are prone to different types of illness....some more fatal than others unless we take care of ourselves and minimize the effects of growing old.

One important thing to do is to manage your weight. If  you ever feel that your weight creeps up as you grow older, start watching what you eat, exercise more often (at least for half and hour-2x or 3x a week) and rest well. Otherwise, before you know it you will be weighing a 100kg and you will be wondering how did that happen? Be socially active and have hobbies. 

I happen to come across the latest Shape magazine (September 2010) and I was inspired by two women who were grossly overweight but managed to slim down and look fantastic. One of them was Norleena Salim ( Under One Roof). She lost 55kg in 4 years.She works out daily (but you should check with your Doctor on your medical condition before you start working out). Truly Amazing.

I am inspired by the Elderly Men and the two ladies losing weight, to take charge of my life and live it to the fullest.

Stop whining about life and stress. IF THEY CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU!

Cheers,
Mark