Acceptance breeds strength

Started with normal routine but for some reason didnt want to start making calls. I actually took a nap and had decided i would start in the afternoon. But a call back, an owner returning my call got me right out of the bed and straight to the office. I only took 30 calls but set 3 appointments. I used the script almost word for word and it was a success. I understand after yesterday that I really need to utilize my day better. More calls in less time if I build my lists at night and on the weekend I should be able to fly through the calls during the work hours. Maintain the train its going to happen you will reach the station by September 25th.

Whats it worth
I was listening to Frank Rumbauskas who wrote Never Cold Call Again and he was saying that the key to being successful in your goals is not Discipline so much as finding the pleasure in it. Running with that I can see the pleasure in being able to work from home. Set my own hours, talking to clients and prospects. The opportunity to earn $300 or more for every call that I make. The freedom thats attached to running my business. I feel like it still takes displine but by utilizing displine mixed with pleasure I think it creates and unstopable force.

Mastering the basics
After completing the excersice last week on mastering the basics of sales I aslo realize I need to overhaul my time management and organization. My current system without proper analasis still shows horrible use of time. So my goal for the remainder of the week is to track how I use my time and to find ways to become more efficient. I will also overhaul my organization methods.

Have a strong day!

I want it!

Yesterday I had an appointment to start the day. It went well but was more of a relationship build than a ready and willing to pay client. After which I had planned to cold call. After getting to the car I decided (as i normally would) to get in go home and call it a day. The pressures of the goal and the need to drink started to creep in. Driving home i thought about my lack of positive feedback or sales. Fortunately I had no money to drink. But after getting home and watching a little TV I recalled how this is how my downfall always starts. An early exit during the afternoon usually leads to an entire day off, which always ends up being a week or more causing me to have to start all over. However the goal and the need to achieve mixed with the confidence to know that I can do it made a potent cocktail that fueled the rest of my afternoon. I then knocked out 40 calls and set a few appointments.

I want it!
I want to achieve my goal and as the days pass I feel stronger in knowing that I will reach it. Oh how life is going to be once its completed. I want to make it happen and know that if I keep the momentum going its only a matter of calls before I knock out the first sale. Keep it up.

Steps
Another thing that Ive noticed/learned is that just by keeping the daily routine I'm ensuring success. In the past I've stopped and started so much I had never got to the point of warming up. Now I've warmed up and kept moving. For me in sales for my confidence to stay strong I have to keep calling and build on the day to day. Otherwise its like running a marathon without having ran. I have to keep my jog to build that wind up that will keep my going throughout the length of the full race. It feels good to be in control and conquering my fears.

Monday madness

Started the week off strong. I still let a few ignorant business owners get to me though. But overall a solid day.

Moving forward
Day after day I get stronger in my confidence. From the calls themselves to overcoming objections. I spent a lot of the day worried about getting enough opportunities to speak with DM.s I have to come up with a way to reach several prospects at once. Also im going to need to work on my script. Daily practice.

Master the basics
This weekend i read an email from Brian Tracy and he discussed mastering the basics. His email went through the basic steps of the sales process and required that you rate yourself in each area. I also wrote down what I needed to work on. So during this week specifically my goal is to focus on the basics. Making sure that im doing them correctly. It should definitely increase my bottom line.

Just keep swimming!

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!" Dorey "Finding Nemo"
She was wise beyond the sea. That's what yesterday was about for me. I didn't reach call goals or make a sale. I did let one call get under my skin and stop my progress. But not before I gave a solid performance. Ultimately i just kept walking toward my goal. I did set an appointment which is very positive and of course a big step in the right direction. Keeping yesterday in a positive light i have to remember that this would usually be a time when I would start to lose passion, fun and focus and giving up. So keep up the good work today.

Positive Attitude
I had a conversation last night that re-energized my attitude on positive attitude. I need to remember that if I believe in myself beyond a reasonable doubt that I cant go wrong. And at this point i would compare my confidence in myself (for this project) to Swiss cheese. Strong but there is holes in it. Daily I fight the frustration of people not getting it, lack of sales and what have you (the holes) without fully rationalizing the situation. It does not matter what happens just understand beyond a reasonable doubt that I believe in myself and my abilities to achieve my goals!!!

Lets finish the week off with a strong performance today and get ready for the first sale!

Reality of a dreamer!

Yesterday was very strong. I made 50+ calls with all positive feedback. Calling agencies will increase business 10 fold. So im keeping my phone lines open. But seriously yesterday definitely helped to make me feel better about the overall goal. It also made me realize reality. If this project doesnt workout as long as I WORK, then I dont need to give up on my business. I can make a living although considerably smaller out of piecing together a string of small projects. I have to remember my own saying. Don't mistake slow progress for failure. Not to mention the fact that its close to the end of the year BUDGET TIME BABY. And thats truly the time to build any project to get in when people have money and are developing their yearly campaigns.

Today's Key
I set my first appointment yesterday and need to continue with that today. I will be doing another call blitz today looking to add no less than 20 new contacts as well.

Today's focus
Call structure.
1. Follow my script
2. Slow down
3. Remain calm but excited
4. Remeber every call is potentially worth $300+ and to do all it takes to win it.

"Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost." -- Robert Schuller

Frustration

Tuesday was tough. I only made 20 calls before throwing up my hands.

Looking at the positives
I fought hard a few times with quick questions to overcome objections. This is always a sign that the comfort is setting in. I also didnt stick to my script but wasn't railroaded into letting the prospects control the conversation.

Room to improve
I have to fight the gremlins of progress. Its this disease of fear in me that has me second guessing myself. I really need to knock down a sale to understand that my ideas are good are valid and that i can provide a great service for businesses.

Today's goal
A call blitz. To make as many calls, overcome as many objections and ultimatly bring home a sale. Focus on each call from a step by step model. Determine the call goal, ask for the sale or the appointment to get the sale. Feelings use enthusiaiam that you use everywhere else when talking about the project.

Tools to overcome the gremlins
You have to remember that each NO gets you closer to the yes.
Each NO is not the person rejecting you but just rejecting the offer.
What you have to offer can and will help businesses

Wednesday will be strong! I will close the first deal today!!!!

Unleash the savage beast!

Starting again! The beast must be realeased. Back when I was in school I used to be such a monster when it came to my goals. If there was something I wanted, it was all that was on my mind 24-7 and I would do all in my power to make it happen. Well I can feel that mentality that power that thirst returning. I love the taste of it and its getting me excited.

Confidence vs Gremlins
After 50 calls today I spoke to 9 owners who definitely were not interested. Thats not a big deal the problem with it is when their reasoning is garbage and I began to internalize it as my plan. Ihave done this time and time again subscribing to their tainted beliefs about the little information that they know. In the past I have always took bad feedback and a lack of quick sales as a reason to readjust. However powerful that is I have never given myself enough time to really test it out and make it work.

All or nothing
After placing an all or nothing tag on this project I know that Im going to need to spend as many hours, late nights, weekends and what have you to prove that this can work and that I can reach my goals. As excited as I am to do this Im just as scared to fail. I realize that if I take this all the way from start to finish and cannot succeed that it means my plan didnt work. That is something that i believe ive always taken comfort in is the fact that I haven't proven that it won't work and so I'm safe to try at any time to make it happen. But now all cards will be on the table, and the question is will I succeed?

On The Road Again!

The past two days I have worked to get back on the horse so to speak. Many good things happened from a business stand point. No Sales!! But honestly I have tried to sell all that much. I feel more confident by the day. At this point I need to land that first sale to make everything feel right.

Networking
I attended a network event the other night and felt good about the results. Ive only talked with one of my leads and now have discovered a service that I can ad to and enhance my business. After talking to 20+ people about my business I feel that I can really do this. My goal is to attend one event per week.

Drive & Passion
I have noticed that Im really strong and ready to work in the morning when I can't make phone calls and then find a nervous flinch (the gremlins) when its time to make calls. For someone reason its like I build up this fear and when its time to act i suddenly find reason to NOT CALL today and just work on other things. It can be done and you can overcome any and all objections.

Lets finish the week strong!!!

Game Over! New life

Still sitting around on my ass. Thinking about success, dreaming about success, but not walking toward hell even crawling towards success. Ive figured out that I'm really a starter. I love to come up with ideas that I know will work and then build them up for sometime and eventually grow tired of it, especially if i don't see quick progress. And then I as I have again re-adjusted the project.



Starting Over

So again i have STARTED OVER!!!! But this time its for all the cookies in the cookie shop. I have until the final day of September to get my business off the ground or return back to a "real job" and of course the death sentence that comes with it. So what can I do to make this attempt count?



Focus

I already have the tools, knowledge, work ethic, and discipline to make it happen. I need to remain motivated. I need to see that I can do this and with PATIENCE I can and will be successful. I have everything I need.



GOAL

To sell all 25 spots in the starving students sheet by September 24th.

The struggle continues!

As usual I have followed the same path. A strong week, 2 weak ones. After a few days of contemplation I realize one of my major flaws. COMPETITION!!!! I used to try to be the best in all I did. Everything was about where do i rank in this situation. After being a stay at home daddy for so long Ive lost that fire. The desire that makes me want to be number 1 in all I do. A few years ago I let go of that attitude b/c I felt it was flawed in the disregard for other style i live in. But I realize now that was the FIRE that kept my life burning. So now I need to get back to that mind state. With a slight adjustment. By any means necessary that doesn't take advantage of others!
So whats next?
Im still here walking forward. No matter how slow Im still working toward the goal. I have adjusted the biz plan a bit and reset my 20 days goal to zero. Even though we all know its almost day 30.

Gremilins are winning but Im coming back baby its only halftime!

Day 5 - 15 The definition of insanity

Well after such a great start to my campaign I let the gremilins attack and devour all of my momentuem. On day 4 I found out a friend was in legal trouble, (or so we thought at the time) and helping him made me lose my focus. Then i spent the next week giving up. T.V. High, drunk, internet porn, naps, anything to keep from working. But it was actually during the weekend that I decided to follow the path of the gremlin. Meaning: I will start on August 1st. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing but expecting different results. I always like a fresh new start and have wasted probably years by saying ill start tomorrow, or next week, or next month.

The future:
After the first week I do realize and understand that i have the power to succeed. But after the second week i realize that Im going to have to work on my daily routine and focus on not letting anything distract me from the work. It seems so easy for me to lose track of my prize and fall off the wagon. Work hard and lets see where this week will take you.

Gremlins 14 Me 3

Day 3 The new script

The new script
Started off yesterday reading email. I came across a sales related article that spoke of make that impact introduction. It reminded me that I need to get their attention quick and give them a whats in it for me statement even quicker. So I spent about an hour re-working my introduction. And lets just say cha-ching. Unfortunatley out of the 60 calls I got to use it about 7 times but the first call was an appointment. The second I got through to the DM but his biz didnt qualify. All in all I was only turned down once for a follow up with the new script.

Results
I made a total of 60 calls. I didnt reach my goal of 75 but set appointments. Now that Im feeling strong and confident about my abilities again I will not focus so much on the number of calls vs the number of appts set. The new script have given me a major boost in confidence and I believe that I can really make a stronger daily impact.

Moving Forward
My method has been to send the prospect some follow information that will give them details of the service. Their seems to be a problem with the piece in that I think it gives too much information and doesnt give enough benefit. Today I will re-write it and keep my fingers crossed that it will provide the boost the new script did.

Allen starts today if he does half of what I think he can and a quarter of what he thinks he can I will blow this goal out of the water

Me 3 Gremilins 0

Day 2 Building a callus

The second step was definitely easier than the first. I was able to reach 75 calls and have some good conversations. For the most part I tried to overcome objections and was able to nail down several prospect for phone appts. Great positive and productive day!

Gremlins in the dream:
Its strange how this happens everytime I start a project a few negative comments from prospects send a platoon of gremlins running through my mind that try their best to destroy every piece of hope they can find to make me give up. It happens everytime and started mid afternoon yesterday.

The cure
I had to take a break and rationalize my entire plan. First I had to understand and remind myself that people were not rejecting me and for every no that I heard I had an interested party that needed more info. I have to realize that in the begining no sales is not a reason to quit but a reason to try harder. Especially in the weeks to come those damn gremlins will be fighting harder to make me give up.

Always remember your dream man.
Don't mistake slow progress for failure!

Day 1

Results
And away they go! I'm very proud of my start out of the gates. I have been struggling for months now to get started. I missed my call goals by 3 (42) but at least I started. Its that first step everyone knows is the hardest but builds momentuem. I didn't make any sales but overcame a few objections and felt good being on the phone.

Moving Forward
The key now is to challenge myself to continue to better myself day by day. My main tactic moving forward is to focus on one day at a time. I think my downfall is always that I like to far ahead and get overwhelmed. So day two is simply to repeat day 1 but push myself to work harder.

Minor Goal
To make 75 calls
To set my first appointment

Dream Deferred!

Goal Setting
Goals are something that i take seriously. I have set goals for myself from sports to business to fitness to the raising of my boys. Unfortunately for my list of goals and personal satisfaction I haven't achieved/finished a goal that I've set for myself in a few years. Okay being more exact going on five years now. See the problem is that like Micheal Jackson sang with such fire "You wanna be starting something" is my hang up. I always come up with ideas on my career and then follow them until the frustration and boredom sets in. Then I stop

This years goal:
For the first time in my life i only set 2 goals to accomplish and thus far missed my deadlines so far.
1. To finish my children's book and create for self publishing.
2. To launch my shopping guide by selling out all the spots.

Although Ive missed my deadline the children's book is 75% complete. I feel confident that I will complete it by the end of the year to achieve my goal.

My main goal is to release an advertising publication this year.

The Successful Failure
The purpose of this blog is to write my journey in the quest of reaching my goals for the year. My main purpose is to inspire myself and others if anyone cares to read it. At this point I'm giving my business a 30 day deadline to complete. In terms of numbers I need to sell 45 spots in my ad guide for it to be a success. My break even point is 15 spots sold. To most this would seem like a very easy goal. And i honestly believe that it is as well. The problem is I've been trying this or a variation of this project since 2000. Fear, excuses, drinking, laziness, boredom, being homeless, and lack of patience have all continued to be obstacles that have stopped me in my tracks. I've now decided that this is it. With a wife and three kids I need to stop "playing" and make things happen or go out and get a job that will take care of us.

So tonight as i look forward to taking the first step in my journey I look on with positivity and a little fear. I feel that if i can stick to my plan. 100 calls a day, 8 strong hours of work. I will make it happen. If anyone decides to read this please feel free to give your advice! Good luck and I will see you in 30 days successfully achieving the goal.