A Flame Of Hope In the Economic Downturn
April 19, 2009
At a recent sales team meeting, I was asked to present on the topic “Techniques For Closing Sales In The Economic Downturn”. I pondered hard on the “techniques” I use as I was preparing for the presentation.
I realized that I am not doing anything different than before.
I also discovered that I am engaging and enrolling people into the program without much thought for the economic recession that everyone else is talking about. And yes, people are attracted by the program I promote and continue to sign up so they can benefit from it.
So wherein lies the techniques and secrets?
The secret? Sorry to disappoint you but I do not have any secrets to uncover here, only open truths that are right in front of our eyes. Yet I have taken these truth for granted. I will share one thing with you here.
If you think of the economic recession as something that brings with it fears, uncertainties, doubts and worries then I will just describe it as darkness for the purpose of our discussion.
In darkness, people do not move.
They are fearful and adopt the “wait and see” mode of the “flight and fight” mode where anxieties and stress sets in.
Now think of yourself as a source of light (you decide the shape, form, how big, how bright etc). And you rightly are if you are contributing to society, making impact and adding value to others.
Imagine you as a candle lighted in broad day light – you will send out light and warmth. And that flame will need to be very intense and strong in order for it to stand out in broad day light.
However, as night falls and darkness sets in, or as you draw the blinds and block out the sunlight from entering the room, you will find that your light stands out more although you have not done anything differently.
Because the darker the surrounding, the brighter you shine.
Can you imagine that for a moment?
What does that mean?
That means you do not need to worry about any economic downturn.
No. In fact, the more depressing the economy gets, the more people will look for true light and meaning.
Light just shines brighter in darkness.
And that which continues to give light, direction, warmth and life will draw and attract those who are lost in darkness, fear and anxieties.
Selah / Pause.
This is a test.
- Will you too be consumed by the darkness around?
- Or will you shine ever more brightly because of the darkness around you?
- You will know by the results of your “sales”.
Now imagine again what the flame will look like as you grow and develop your inner and best self?
The flame shines even brighter and people further away can see and feel the light and its warmth.
As a Girl Guide in my teens, we camped outdoors.
We made our tent with bamboos and canvas and stayed in the open.
We made a fire. I remember how beautiful the fire was.
They dance their way up to the sky and one could see them from afar.
I also remember how important it was to keep the camp fire going.
It meant safety, warmth, direction, light and hope.
We guarded that light
So how do you close sales in an economy downturn?
I just continue to shine and be my best and true self.
And I make sure that I guard my fire and continue to grow in the intensity of that flame.
I am afraid these are not your conventional sales-closing techniques, but then who says I am conventional?
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By the way, when I was with Harv Eker’s Enlightened Warrior Camp Training, we were given a very short time to pick a warrior name (we see more of our true self in our spopntaneity). Call it the subconscious mind at work or the law of attraction, the picture that came to mind was “A Flame of Hope”. That was about six months ago. I just realized that I had used it as my headline here …
Achieving Miracles
April 5, 2009
I had an experinece the past week that I want to share with you.
Besides having my own coaching practice, I do a little part-time work for the an International Coaching Academy. Last week, I received a call from the CEO. She was celebrating the great work we have been doing with me.
And without much preparation she sends me a surprise invite to a gathering in the US.
Part of me was rejoicing at the chance of meeting people I have been working with, another part of me was wondering how I am ever going to get a visa in 6 working days.
I told my CEO I need to move some mountains to make this happen.
It takes time for a Malaysian to apply for a visitor’s visa to the States. Especially when I am not in traditional full time employement. And being a single woman works against me here. And of course, we have the Easter holidays right in the middle of all this.
I made a quick call to a travel agent to enquire if he can get the visa done for me – express, pronto. I was told that I had to go to the Embassy and apply in person. There are 3 steps involved and each step takes processing time.
I was told not to get the flight ticket because it is unlikely that I will get the visa. I was also told that it is really difficult to get assistance and clarification on the Embassy dial in helpline.
I quickly wrote to my sis and share with her the good news. And I wrote that I need a miracle to make this happen.
My mind starts working and I start asking what are my options. How can I get myself there? What do I need to do? I started compiling all the documents I need (and do not have on hand). I charted out the time line, and it did not look optimistic. I was wondering what other options I have. What else can I do and whether there is another way.
Ater some frantic and intense search for documents, I lie down and took a rest. And as I was not thinking consciously it suddenly struck me that I had a visa from before. And I just wonder if I may be able to find that passport. And maybe that visa may just still be valid too?
And you can guess the rest of the story. Indeed I found my passport. And the visa is still valid – after all those years! My heart leapt, there is a chance. But wait, there’s just a slight problem – that passport has expired.
I called up the Embassy early the next morning. The call was promptly answered. Specific help was offered and confirmation given. I can indeed travel with that visa. My experience did not match the negative comments I hear and I am glad I did not let those remarks affect me.
Within one day I went from searching for an answer to celebrating – celebrating the spirit in me that does not give up. Ask the right question and you will get the right answer. What do I need to do to get what I want? Ask, and you will receive.
So instead of asking “why me? or “why such short notice?” in this specific case, try asking, “how can I make things happen?” ”What do I need to do?” and when that does not work ask “what else can I do to achieve my miralce?”
We are more powerful than we know we are. I encourage you not to bow down to circumstances or “limitations”. There are just there for us to get creative and start exploring and inventing. Look at it this way and you can turn every challenge into an opportunity for creative growth. Try it.
My teacher says “my choice determines my outcome” and I like to add “my questions determine my answers”.
Here’s to your creative questions and your creative miracles!
By the way, I believe in the miracle of bringing life out of death. And I believe in the miracle of transformation. So keep that hope soaring, you will achieve your miracle.
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