"It's Cool to be a Tortoise!"

(This was part of "a special message from Darren Hardy" promoting his program The Compound Effect. The message is value in itself)

"It's cool to be a tortoise!" That is what my friend's son said.

"That's neat," I replied. My friend quickly corrected me, "No, it goes beyond neat. Let me explain. Dillan is constantly seeking shortcuts. If he doesn't see results almost immediately, he gets frustrated, bored and usually gives up. I believe The Compound Effect changed a critical and fundamental philosophy that will alter his future, in my opinion." I admitted, "You are right, that's way more than 'neat'!"

How many times have you been like Dillan...or the hare? How many diet books, programs, creams, or pills have you bought that promised overnight results with little effort? How many Internet riches, day-trading, get rich quick books have you bought? Do you leap to a fast start but quickly get distracted and off track, if not even drop out of the race entirely?

The tortoise always win. Why? Because he or she is relentlessly consistent. It's not how fast you start; it's how long you endure. Consistency is one fo the core fundamentals of success. So then, how do you keep yourself constantly motivated and steadfastly consistent?

Close your eyes. You are at the starting line; the gun is about to sound. Decide now: tortoise or hare?

Identify Sales Activities That Lead to Profitable Results

Hopefully you are coming to grips with your "new reality" - that is, you realize that you must be proactive and exercise considerable effort to generate income. By identifying which activities lead to profitable results, you will minimize frustration, and start making money sooner. To illustrate, if you want to lose weight, recognizing the need, and hoping for it, won't produce results. Certain activities are necessary, such as exercise and diet. 'Sales' is much the same: certain activities, behaviours, actions are necessary in order to produce results. Do you know what those activities are? And, more importantly, are you doing them?

Your "SEA Monthly Progress Report" identifies basic sales activities. Under "Progress Report" is "Sales Activities during Month". They are: # of new clients, # of repeat clients (new business), # of meetings held, # of telephone calls, contact emails, letters sent and followed-up, # of new, qualified prospects, # of networking events attended. In harmony with the S.M.A.R.T. priniciple, start setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals in each of these categories. Do so because you recognize that it is necessary activity for you to have a successful business.

Yes, this requires discipline and structure. However, with diligence, managing the right sales activities can become a constructive work habit. You will find that if you establish set times for key sales activities, your new business will be more productive.

Of course, identifying sales activities only helps when you DO them. Structure your week to optimize sales effectiveness. To increase the likelihood of success, there are certain times of the day and certain days of the week when prospecting calls, sales appointments, meetings with potential centers of influence, etc. should be scheduled. Likewise, there are more appropriate times to accomplish administrative tasks, develop proposals, return phone calls, and a myriad of other activities. Successful business owners monitor these actions to see if they are on course to reach their goals. They know that by tracking their activities, they can ensure they are completing the necessary daily tasks that will make them successful.

Sales are ACTIVITY-led! You want more sales? Where's the activity?!