What is it that children have when they’re, say…less than 8 years old…that we as adults could use?  Stuff like courage and persistence for starters.

My kids know, that no matter how many times they ask me for a cookie before dinner and no matter that I repeatedly say no, there’s always the possibility that something will change and I’ll actually let them have one.  Does it work?  Sometimes yes.  I’ve chosen, in my house, to occasionally reward persistence rather than squash it.  (Now before you go there, settle down.  Do I fill my kids with sugary treats before meals all the time…no.  They eat more than their share of raw vegetables.  However, it’s not a bad thing in life to eat dessert first now and again. And do they nag…no.  But now that they’re older, their asking is more creative.  And often pretty darn funny.)

In my observation, many adults could use a lesson on persistence and creativity.  And there’s no one better skilled at building rapport than a child.

Kids have the courage to ask for the things they want.  Whether it’s asking a gazillion times for a cookie, wearing a costume and knocking on a stranger’s door for candy, visiting some strange dude named Santa to ask for toys, or sending out valentines to everyone on their class list…kids have courage.  I admire it.  And it pays off for them.

Courage will pay off for you too.

Adults have too many filters.  The filter of fear, doubt, worry, perfectionism, unworthiness, you name it.  My daughter and I had a discussion not too long ago about fear…about how it can both be a good thing or a bad thing.  It can keep you safe, or it can make a prison of your life.  Your job is to discern the difference.

Eleanor Roosevelt quoted, “We wouldn’t worry so much about what other people thought of us if only we realized how little they did so.”

Who are you going to talk to about your business in 2010?  Go pick 5 perfect strangers and tell them about what you do for a living and about how much you love what you do.  Invite them to share the same about themselves with you.  You’d be surprised at how liberating 30-seconds of fear can be.   Maybe it’s our time to open up the window and scream, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”  You should be mad at your fears, mad at your limitations, mad at the box you’re living in…mad at what they’ve cost you.  Worse case, you end up giggling at the response of folks outside.  Best case, you are energized enough to step up and do the things that you’ve been too scared to do.

Remember gang, nothing changes until you do.

Tags: Business, courage, goals, prospecting, Sales, Success
Categories: Business, Business Development, Sales.

Posted on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
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