Often in my work I work with clients who are resistant to 'selling' themselves. And in my past I, too, have been reluctant to be seen as 'selling' my services. If you have experienced this feeling, perhaps this thought might help.
The concept of 'selling' has unfortunately become synonymous with 'pushing'. Whenever we see a salesperson in a store, for example, we might feel a visceral reaction at the idea of being 'sold' something. After all, we have all purchased a product and then regretted spending the money...so the next time a salesperson approaches our first reaction is 'no thank you'.
In dealing with my own resistance to selling I chose to reframe the entire concept and see selling as 'being of service'. In this new way of looking at things I don't ask people to buy anything, or even attempt to tell them anything. I simply care about them, love them, and see if there is anything I can do to be of service to them. And the great part about this re-frame is that it is very easy to do.
A great sales trainer once said 'telling is not selling'. What he meant by this is that talking and pushing really does not work...and is actually stressful and difficult. If you want to 'sell' something (yourself or a product) all you need to do is relate to others in a way that creates intimacy and a sense of trust. Try to see how you can help. Ask questions, get to know people, and then see if anything you have or can do might be helpful to them. In this way 'sales' becomes the act of being helpful...and everyone likes to be helpful!
So let go of the term 'sales' and simply ask yourself how you might help the world given the resources at your disposal. Making money is easy when you approach things this way!!
“Dr. Sergey Sorin’s Daily Message” - The Transitional Thoughts for the day by Dr. Sergey Sorin are with collaboration from KC. Hildreth, an Industry Consultant.
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