It’s only human to focus on negatives. Heaven knows there are enough negative things going on in this world to provide plenty of opportunities to succumb to the Dark Side. There isn’t much you can do to change this fact, or influence other people’s behavior. You can however, decide to change your response to the world’s stimuli. You absolutely do not have to follow the pack and become a negative person. Being positive is an option.
It confuses me when people decide to re-orient their lives toward the positive immediately after a catastrophe throws their lives into a downward spiral of unfortunate turmoil. The death of a loved one can immediately affect people’s thinking. Disease has been known to straightened people out. Fires, floods and tornadoes have always had a meaningful impact.
Let me save you some time, money and hurt. Straighten yourself out now. Don’t wait for nature to serve as a catalyst. Begin to see the positive side of things on your own and the benefits of feeling positive versus negative.
The situation surrounding a quote from Barry Diller (QVC Chairman) is an excellent example of the way I want you to begin to see things as a professional salesperson. Mr. Diller learned that his bid to take over Paramount Pictures fell short. This billion-dollar bonanza fell as flat as Wiley Coyote after the Road Runner runs him down with a steamroller. If there ever was a good reason to become “negged-out,” this failure would qualify as Numero Uno. But when asked how he felt upon learning of this failure, Diller very casually responded, “They won. We lost. Who’s next?”
What a great way of looking at “the game.” When approaching any business opportunity, the professional knows that a number of things can spoil the sale. In fact in the majority of cases, the sale does not materialize for one reason or another. This isn’t negative thinking. It is a fact. True professionals refuse to spend much time focusing on bad news. There isn’t enough time in the day and there is too much to accomplish. Yesterday’s news is just that: yesterday’s news.
“Who’s next?” should be your only response. “What’s next” needs to be your follow up question. If you insist on feeling bad after a disappointment, that is understandable; just don’t get used to feeling sorry for yourself. Take a few minutes to shed a tear or punch a wall (depending on your personality type), before getting back to business. You have work to do.
Mike Marchev has plenty of stories, strategies and tactics to keep you on top of your game.
Mike will be conducting his 5th annual Travel Sales & Marketing Business Development Cruise, sailing the Freedom of The Seas from Ft. Lauderdale. Email him at mike@mikemarchev.com for complete details. Five cabins are still available.
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