Positive Attitude | Direct Sales Marketing & Mentoring- Nancy Sutherland

Jan 3

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by Nancy Barry-Jansson ( a special guest post for today!)

Previously, I wrote an article about the incredible power of decision, about how just deciding what you want can create the opportunities for that creation to appear in your life. Now, I’d like you to consider whether you’ve made, or are ready to make, the decision to change what isn’t working in your life.

To Decide or Not to Decide: Is That the Question?

A few months ago, during a coaching session, the client brought up three experiences that were upsetting her. To her, these experiences were unrelated, but they all frustrated her. As I listened, I could hear the common thread in what she was saying: All three of her experiences reflected that she felt unappreciated for her hard work, and in some cases, disrespected by people around her. When I brought this to her attention, she was surprised as she had not seen the commonality in her experience until that moment. I told her the good news is that she could decide to change right there, right that minute while we were talking. All she had to do was embrace the decision to change. She could begin by creating positive self-talk affirmations such as

I am respected and appreciated by everyone around me, and I respect and appreciate myself!

I allow others to respect me and show it in positive ways!

Everyone I interact with treats me with respect and appreciation!

‘Tis Easier to Change Than Remain Suffering

The gal I was coaching was ready to make a change. She had reached a point where she no longer wanted to experience those same frustrations, and she recognized a long-standing pattern in her life that needed to change if she was going to move forward. So, she embraced these new affirmations immediately, saying them with conviction and belief that she was already creating what she wanted. Within 24 hours, she reported noticing respectful and appreciative behavior all around her…particularly from the people she previously felt were not behaving that way! Her discovery? What she wanted was all around her as soon as she was open to seeing it. While she was convinced that others were disrespectful, that is how she perceived others’ behavior and that is what showed up for her. As soon as she changed her focus, what she perceived and experienced changed as well. When we talked afterward, she shared that making this shift in perception helped her to appreciate life so much more than before she had reached out for help during coaching. That comment made it clear to me that choosing to make positive changes is far more rewarding than staying in suffering. Our egos will convince us that change is not possible…it’s too difficult…it can’t be done…it’s better to stay where you are. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Changing is really easier than most people think, and it starts by making the decision to change.

Are You Ready for Change?

In the above example, if she had not been ready to change, she wouldn’t have been able to do the affirmations with feeling and would not have seen any changes. She may even have found excuses why she didn’t have time or energy to say the affirmations…or kept forgetting to say them. This is just resistance to change. Most people think change will be too painful, but the truth is NOT changing is more painful. How do you know you are ready for change? You can feel it. You know you are ready when you realize what you are experiencing is not working for you, when you are open to suggestions for shifting (like saying affirmations), when you can feel your life could be better and you are no longer willing to repeat the same mistakes. You can feel it inside yourself that it’s time…and, if you aren’t sure you can do it by yourself, you begin considering reaching out for help. Likewise, when you aren’t ready, you’ll find all kinds of excuses to not reach out for help. Suddenly, you’ll create tons of reasons that tell you, “now isn’t the right time”.

This is Your Life: There’s No Wrong Answer

Keep in mind that there is no wrong answer when it comes to your life. If you are choosing to stay where you are, that is because it is right for what you need to experience in this moment. As soon as you are ready to embrace change, trust that you will find the help you need and begin taking appropriate steps. In the meantime, love and accept yourself for who you are and how wonderful your life really is!

……………………………………………………………….. Nancy Barry-Jansson is SF Bay Area-based illustrator and the creator of AffirmingSpirit™ Affirmation Cards, which are available at AffirmingSpirit.com. Currently, Ms. Barry-Jansson is writing about the 2008 AffirmingSpriit Affirmation Study, where individuals were coached through the process of creating and using their own affirmations to create positive change. Nancy is on Twitter @affirmingspirit , which is where she first met Nancy Sutherland. © 2008 Barry-Jansson & Associates and AffirmingSpirit.com

Print these out and begin to say them out loud several times a day. Put them in all different places- on the refrigerator, on the bathroom mirror, on your car visor, on your nightstand. The more you see them, the more they will become cemented in your subconscious. This will help to make 2009 your best year ever- regardless of the economy, despite any drama or obstacles in your life. I promise it works!

Related Reading:

An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers

The Runner's Book of Daily Inspiration : A Year of Motivation, Revelation, and Instruction

Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings

Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament

1,000 Jewelry Inspirations: Beads, Baubles, Dangles, and Chains (1000 Series)

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Oct 31

Aptitude or Attitude?

In honor of upcoming Veterans Day, this is a guest post by my husband Alex Sutherland. Alex is a retired U S Army officer who works full time with me in my business. His insight combines what he has learned in the military with what we do in my direct sales business. Read Alex’s guest post this week on EMail Our Military’s Blog!

DISCOVER THE 80/20 RULE:

What is the 80/20 rule? Fully eighty percent of your success as a WAHM will be determined by your attitude and only twenty percent by your aptitude. Some people feel that attitude is ninety percent of success in all human endeavors involving other people. People will always follow leaders who exemplify this practice. DEVELOP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: A positive mental attitude, or a constructive and optimistic way of looking at yourself and your work, goes hand in hand with sales success in every field and in every market. The development of this unshakable attitude of cheerfulness and enthusiasm is your springboard to greatness as a salesperson, no matter what is going on around you. Never share your personal problems with your subordinates. Do people feel motivated after speaking with you; or do they feel drained listening to all your problems? LEARN YOUR PRODUCT WELL: The twenty percent of sales effectiveness that comes from product knowledge and professional selling skills is terribly important as well. It is only when you are thoroughly knowledgeable about what you are selling and thoroughly skillful in your ability to present it effectively that you develop the calmness and confidence upon which a positive mental attitude depends. Write down key points and practice a few times to polish your presentation. UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING: The quality of your thinking determines the quality of your life. Be a victor not a victim. If you improve the quality of your thinking, in any area, you improve the quality of your life in that area. By using your mind, your ability to think, you become a creator of circumstances rather than a creature of circumstances. In other words, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. You move from being powerless to being powerful. You determine everything that happens to you by the way you think about it, in advance. You may not be what you think you are, but what you think, you are! CHANGE YOUR INNER ATTITUDES OF MIND: The most rapid and positive changes in your personality and your sales results come about when you change your thinking about yourself and your possibilities. When you reprogram your sub-conscious mind so you feel a sense of unshakable optimism and self-confidence, every part of your life begins improving immediately. As William James of Harvard wrote in 1905, “The greatest revolution of my generation is the discovery that individuals, by changing their inner attitudes of mind, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” EXPECT THE BEST:

Be on time, organized and well dressed/groomed. Remember first impressions are indeed lasting ones. Have you ever noticed how different you are treated when you dress sharply? People do notice and are always more receptive when you smile. The very best salespeople have an attitude of calm, confident, positive self-expectation. They feel good about themselves and they have absolute faith that everything they are doing is contributing toward their inevitable success. They are cool, relaxed, happy and cheerful about their lives and their careers. They know, deep in their hearts, that they are good at what they do, and their customers know it as well. Often, their customers decide to buy from them even before they’ve made a sales presentation or described their product or service. They are the champions, or superstars, of selling everywhere, and you can be one of them by developing the same attitudes and attributes that they have.

ACTION DRILLS: Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action: First, resolve today to develop and cultivate an attitude of calm, confident, positive expectations towards yourself, your customers and your career. Expect the best! Put up goals and positive affirmations where you will see them first thing in the morning. Second, take complete control of your thinking and concentrate on the solution rather than the problem. Look for the good in every situation. Be positive and cheerful, no matter what happens. Remember, in the end your attitude will be instrumental in a positive outcome to any endeavor.