In my last blog post I talked about belief and conviction, and how it started out for me. I had belief in myself in my own capabilities right from the start, however coupled with wise words from my father about working harder than everyone else. This led me to take greater action, work hard in everything I did, this lead to some initial business successes that grew, and over time the belief and conviction in myself and my capabilities naturally grew too.
In my early days I was a chancer, it was a lucky dip, I was buying something, selling it, and making a profit. There wasn’t a lot of thought in it, any real strategy, any long-term planning. Whereas now, as I’ve developed in business and had more experience and met people more successful than me, not just financially, but mentally too, in the way they carry and conduct themselves, I’ve learnt to prepare in a different way to what I did 25 years ago.
Initially I was just trying to make money, I didn’t really understand the long- term strategy of planning and preparing before you try to make the moves, it’s like a game of chess. As you get older and wiser, you learn that you must think about the opposition and what they might do, and how they might be thinking. This also leads to belief and conviction in yourself getting stronger and stronger, as now you’re not just winging it, but really analysing, strategizing, making moves with a lot of thought, coupled with hard work, it’s a given that your belief and conviction will be multiplied 10x!!
This however takes time, a lot of mistakes are made, it requires patience, and it requires the ability to listen. You must listen to what the need is, rather than guessing or jumping the gun as to what you think the need is or may be. You’ll be surprised if you listen more than you talk, you’ll be able to close a deal, get someone on your side, far easier than if you keep talking. You know the phrase in sales 2 eyes, one mouth, it’s correct and a skill I urge you to develop as it will serve you throughout your life.
You also must go into things with a very clear vision of what you are trying, and want to achieve, whether it’s preparing for a meeting, or forming a connection, you need to work out why you are doing it, and what you expect out of it. This saves a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Now when I go in to do a deal, I know the outcome I want, I’ve already set out what I’m trying to achieve, I will then listen very carefully to the information provided to me, once I get that I will sit down and analyse it, I’ll ask any questions required, then I’ll have a plan in my head as to how to close the deal. I am then 100% committed to what I’m doing and talking about, and my belief and conviction comes in and is strengthened because I’ve done my homework, my research.
So, when I go into close that deal, I will sit and talk with 100% confidence in what I’m doing, because I have planned and prepared and researched meticulously. I will be able to answer all the questions asked, therefore I’m 100% convinced in myself, in my ability, and that this deal will close, because I’ve done everything possible. If it doesn’t, not a problem, because I’ve given it my all, and been totally committed to it.
I genuinely believe wholeheartedly that everything I’m going to do is right, I don’t have any fear, I have no negative thoughts, only positive ones and I’m head, shoulders, Knees into it.
You will find a lot of people in life are not committed, and if you’re not committed and have doubts, the person that you are trying to attract, or close a deal with will also have doubts, so you’ve got no chance of getting over the line. If you do not have this self-belief and conviction that this is the right move, and right thing to do, generally it won’t be successful. You must have 100% belief in what you are doing, and that you will be successful in it. It could be anything, but if you have doubt it won’t work.
Like I have previously said in other posts I never go into anything half hearted. You will know from your own life experiences that things that you put your full heart and soul in work out better. Even in sport, as I play a lot of sports I will give you an example with golf, let’s say I’m going to take a shot and I know which shot I’m aiming for, once I choose it, I’m going to hit it. If I am not 100% committed, with belief in myself that this is the right shot, I will play a bad shot. It’s the same in business and life.
The lessons here are really that belief and conviction will grow and develop naturally, however the more research, preparation, and commitment you give to a deal, a meeting, a task, basically the more you prepare so that you are not second guessing anyone or anything, the more belief and conviction you will have in yourself, as you know that you could not have done anything else.
In addition, you must also have 100% belief and conviction in what you are doing, and trying to achieve, if there is any form of doubt, then don’t do it, as chances are it will fail. Don’t go into things half-heartedly, really work out what it is that you want, and give it your all. Lastly never give up, keep going, keep believing in yourself like I have throughout my life, keep getting up, dusting yourself off and giving everything your all. I promise you, these lessons will serve you greatly, and you will have a greater chance to accomplish all you set out to do in the end.
So, until the next post, keep moving, keep taking action towards your dreams!!
AD