Like most people I am always looking for an easier and more convenient way to do something. Especially when I'm unfamiliar with something, I'll instantly look to an expert to guide me or get me on the fast track to success. This is shown every day in the world. For example, in fitness, we basically know that it takes hard work and sweat to become physically fit, but there is always a new machine, program, or pill to circumvent what we already know. Many people are looking for financial success the same way, and this is why there are so may companies out there waiting to make a million on changing your life without all that hard work.
When looking for the shortcut, a seminar may seem attractive; for a fee, learn the techniques and success can be yours in just an afternoon. Life-changing skills in one sitting - boy, what a deal. Is it? Can you learn the skills it takes to be successful in business or life so quickly? There is no substitute for hard work. Ok it sounds cliche, but I found out the hard way quite true.
My Experience
When I first started as a salesperson, the question, "how do they do it?" was constantly on my mind. The "they" were all the top salespeople in my office; you know, the secret to their success. Of course, I wanted the results immediately. I was a prime candidate for the flyers that filled my office mailbox, with promises of learning from someone who has already done it, and all their secrets revealed. How could I pass up such claims? Many of the other rookies and myself would make the pilgrimage and learn from this one-day sage. During the seminar, I would just think, wow, this makes a lot of sense. "Can't wait to use all this great stuff!" I also became very excited that I now knew something that the seasoned veterans didn't know. For the next couple of days, I had an incredible amount of enthusiasm and vigor, some colleagues felt the same way, and others went on like the seminar never happened (business as usual}. As the days went by less and less of us were mentioning the revolutionary ideas, until we all fell back to our comfort zone. What a difference a couple of days make. I learned from these numerous and costly experiences.
Before you change anything in business or your life, the first step is changing your focus. It's like going on a fad diet, the results in the beginning may be noticeable, but the recidivism rate is usually very high. All the machines and fitness classes in the world can't help unless you are committed to a life of fitness. The same is with business. Are you committed to working hard making sacrifices, and expanding your comfort zone? Foundation! Do you have a foundation to build on? All the seminars and tapes are a mere tweaking of the big picture. A great example is a former co-worker, he would read all the heavy hitters, constantly listen to training tapes in the car, and even hired the services of a successful business women to give him private instruction. The principals for prospecting, like being a good listener and asking open-ended questions, had been hammered into him over and over again. When we would team up for sales presentations, I would curiously await the skills in action. I was amazed. All I can say is that he could have saved his money, because none of the techniques he would recite were being used at the prospect's home. The desire to improve his skills was there but a true commitment to the change was not.
The Big Picture
Yes, I'm guilty of looking for a quicker, easier way to improve my business. Nothing wrong with improving productivity, is there? In this quest for results, be cautioned that your thinking can become clouded with the thought of learning "the secret." Check the investment involved before going to a seminar just like you would question the return on investment of a new computer or other business tool. My experience is that many times I could have received the same value from a tape or book, except at the time I was pumped up on the results to be powerful and quick. With that one day seminar usually came a sales pitch for further education or materials. I have came from many one-day experiences wondering did I learn anything new or did I learn that running a seminar is a great way to make money.
Before making the investment in seminars, private consultation, or even books and tapes, have your house in order. Do you need changes? Or are you just being impatient? Are you ready for major changes? As I have stated in previous articles, once you know the why, the how will come. Be committed to your business plan, and if you are not maybe, it's the business plan that needs the tweaking. If you are in need of the extra help, be sure in what area that help is needed. If you need to work on the basics, that seminar on offshore tax advantages may not be a great investment.
When looking for the shortcut, a seminar may seem attractive; for a fee, learn the techniques and success can be yours in just an afternoon. Life-changing skills in one sitting - boy, what a deal. Is it? Can you learn the skills it takes to be successful in business or life so quickly? There is no substitute for hard work. Ok it sounds cliche, but I found out the hard way quite true.
My Experience
When I first started as a salesperson, the question, "how do they do it?" was constantly on my mind. The "they" were all the top salespeople in my office; you know, the secret to their success. Of course, I wanted the results immediately. I was a prime candidate for the flyers that filled my office mailbox, with promises of learning from someone who has already done it, and all their secrets revealed. How could I pass up such claims? Many of the other rookies and myself would make the pilgrimage and learn from this one-day sage. During the seminar, I would just think, wow, this makes a lot of sense. "Can't wait to use all this great stuff!" I also became very excited that I now knew something that the seasoned veterans didn't know. For the next couple of days, I had an incredible amount of enthusiasm and vigor, some colleagues felt the same way, and others went on like the seminar never happened (business as usual}. As the days went by less and less of us were mentioning the revolutionary ideas, until we all fell back to our comfort zone. What a difference a couple of days make. I learned from these numerous and costly experiences.
Before you change anything in business or your life, the first step is changing your focus. It's like going on a fad diet, the results in the beginning may be noticeable, but the recidivism rate is usually very high. All the machines and fitness classes in the world can't help unless you are committed to a life of fitness. The same is with business. Are you committed to working hard making sacrifices, and expanding your comfort zone? Foundation! Do you have a foundation to build on? All the seminars and tapes are a mere tweaking of the big picture. A great example is a former co-worker, he would read all the heavy hitters, constantly listen to training tapes in the car, and even hired the services of a successful business women to give him private instruction. The principals for prospecting, like being a good listener and asking open-ended questions, had been hammered into him over and over again. When we would team up for sales presentations, I would curiously await the skills in action. I was amazed. All I can say is that he could have saved his money, because none of the techniques he would recite were being used at the prospect's home. The desire to improve his skills was there but a true commitment to the change was not.
The Big Picture
Yes, I'm guilty of looking for a quicker, easier way to improve my business. Nothing wrong with improving productivity, is there? In this quest for results, be cautioned that your thinking can become clouded with the thought of learning "the secret." Check the investment involved before going to a seminar just like you would question the return on investment of a new computer or other business tool. My experience is that many times I could have received the same value from a tape or book, except at the time I was pumped up on the results to be powerful and quick. With that one day seminar usually came a sales pitch for further education or materials. I have came from many one-day experiences wondering did I learn anything new or did I learn that running a seminar is a great way to make money.
Before making the investment in seminars, private consultation, or even books and tapes, have your house in order. Do you need changes? Or are you just being impatient? Are you ready for major changes? As I have stated in previous articles, once you know the why, the how will come. Be committed to your business plan, and if you are not maybe, it's the business plan that needs the tweaking. If you are in need of the extra help, be sure in what area that help is needed. If you need to work on the basics, that seminar on offshore tax advantages may not be a great investment.
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