Tag: Goals

[Week 2] 5-week Daily Plan To Fill Your Pipeline, Regain Control , & Master Your Sales Role

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Over the next 5 weeks, I will be following up on a post that I made here and diving deeper into each weekly and daily objective. My hope is that this helps you on your sales journey to finishing BIG for 2023 and beyond!

Week 2: Developing a Sales Plan

Day 6: Identifying Your Target Audience and Their Pain Points

Task: Define your target audience and understand their pain points and challenges. Develop strategies to address these pain points effectively with your product or service.

Mark, a sales professional that I recently had the opportunity to work with in the tech industry, realized that his target audience was small businesses struggling with outdated software systems. I encouraged him to conduct more targeted research, and he found that these businesses were facing productivity losses due to system crashes. He tailored his sales approach to focus on how his software solution could alleviate this pain point and improve their efficiency. Prior to this exercise, Mark was leading with his product features and capabilities, rather than asking good questions around a defined buyer persona.

Oftentimes, buyer/user personas have been defined by marketing departments, as this guides where investments are made and where to find the appropriate audience. I’ve worked with some companies where there was a disconnect between marketing’s idea of who an ideal customer is, and what sales finds in the field. This is why it is imperative that marketing and sales keep open lines of communication to drive efficiencies in marketing dollars and put sales in a better position to pull the right customers through.

Takeaway: Understanding your target audience’s pain points allows you to position your product or service as a solution to their problems, increasing the likelihood of successful sales interactions.

Application: Create buyer personas that outline your ideal customers’ characteristics, challenges, and goals. Develop messaging that directly addresses their pain points and offers solutions.

Example Buyer & User Persona

Day 7: Crafting Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Task: Define your unique selling proposition (USP) and devise strategies to effectively communicate it to potential customers.

There’s quite a bit of research and work to come up with a viable USP, which takes more time than I’ll cover here. However, defining your target customer and then composing your USP will make a big difference in your results. For example take Laura, a sales representative for a small business services firm located in Kansas City, discovered that her USP was the use of organic cleaning solutions, cruelty-free ingredients. She incorporated this into her sales conversations and marketing materials, highlighting how her products aligned with customers’ values.

Takeaway: A compelling USP sets you apart from competitors and gives customers a reason to choose your product or service.

Visit www.salesstar.com
Here’s a sample sales plan and how identifying your target customers leads to developing a unique selling proposition

Application: Craft a concise and compelling USP that highlights what makes your offering unique and valuable. Incorporate it into your sales pitches, presentations, and marketing materials.

Day 8: Tailoring Your Sales Approach

Task: Develop a flexible sales approach that can be tailored to different types of customers and various situations.

The initial approach is much different than the sales presentation. The latter is always tailored to a prospect’s unique problems and needs. The sales approach is much earlier in the process and is what leads to getting an appointment or at least an agreement to spend more time with the prospect. James, a sales professional selling office furniture, realized that his approach needed to differ when dealing with small businesses (typically less than 50 employees) versus larger businesses (typically businesses with 100–1000 employees). For small businesses, he focused on cost-effectiveness and scalability, while for larger businesses, he emphasized quality and customization.

Takeaway: Adapting your sales approach based on your audience’s preferences and needs enhances your ability to connect and resonate with potential customers.

Application: Create multiple sales scripts or approaches that can be customized for different customer segments or scenarios. This ensures you’re prepared for a variety of interactions.

Day 9: Utilizing Data and Analytics

Task: Incorporate data and analytics into your sales plan. Leverage insights from previous sales performance and customer behavior to inform your strategies.

The opposition to using a CRM system as a sales tool rather than a repositor for useless data still baffles me. Granted, some sales managers do not help with some of the mandates for information to be included, as the problem with this approach is that it often leads to putting garbage in thus getting garbage out. My recommendation to inputting account info into a CRM is to use what I call the W.I.N. method. A simple acronym that helps with putting information in that is useful and actionable.

  • W. What was discussed in the conversation. Provide as much detail as necessary to be able to pick up in the next conversation immediately where you left off in the last. I have been on many ride-alongs where a rep covers a lot of information that has been covered numerous times before. This is a sure way to getting resistance in the future when asking for another appointment. When you stop wasting a prospects time you’ll notice that you begin to get more of it!
  • I. Insights covered or insights gained in the conversation. Did you learn about a new way that they could possibly use your service or product? Did you uncover another influencer that could push a potential deal along? Did you learn about a competitor and how their product is being perceived as difficult to use or implement?
  • N. Next-time will be the plan of conversation during the next visit. Planning this ahead of time with help make the most of the time a prospect has. This approach can lead to becoming a valued resource rather than just another sales annoyance of a prospects day.

Takeaway: Data-driven decision-making allows you to fine-tune your strategies and focus on what works best for your audience.

Application: Regularly review sales data to identify patterns and trends. Use these insights to refine your approach, allocate resources effectively, and identify areas for improvement.

Day 10: Reviewing and Updating Your Sales Plan

Task: Establish a process for consistently reviewing and updating your sales plan to ensure its ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

Takeaway: A sales plan should be dynamic, evolving with changes in the market and your customers’ preferences.

Application: Set up regular checkpoints to evaluate your sales plan’s performance. Consider factors such as market trends, customer feedback, and competitive landscape to determine necessary updates.

Developing a well-defined sales plan is essential for maintaining focus and organization while pursuing your sales goals. By identifying your target audience’s pain points, crafting a compelling USP, tailoring your sales approach, leveraging data and analytics, and regularly reviewing your plan, you can stay adaptable and effective in a dynamic sales environment. Remember that a successful sales plan is not a static document but a living strategy that evolves to meet the needs of your customers and the market.

Stay tuned for a follow up post breaking down the strategies and tactics for Week 3: Building Relationships with your Customers. Till then, I hope Week 2 brings a new level of confidence and focus on your path to finishing 2023 BIG!

Featured

5-week Daily Plan To Fill Your Pipeline, Regain Control , & Master Your Sales Role

Staying motivated during down sales months can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that every sales professional experiences highs and lows in their career. The key to success is to develop a consistent sales strategy and continuously work to improve your sales techniques. Below, I have outlined a 5-week plan with objectives broken down into daily action items:

Week 1. Set clear and specific goals: Create measurable goals that are achievable and align with your overall sales strategy. This will help you stay focused and motivated even during the downswing months.

  • Day 1: What are your current sales goals? Are they specific and measurable? If not, how can you refine them to make them more actionable?
  • Day 2: What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help you track progress towards your sales goals? How can you ensure that you are consistently measuring and analyzing these metrics?
  • Day 3: How can you break down your sales goals into smaller, achievable targets? What steps can you take each day to work towards these targets?
  • Day 4: How can you stay accountable for achieving your sales goals? Who can you share them with, and how can you track progress together?
  • Day 5: How can you celebrate small wins and milestones along the way to achieving your sales goals? How can you use these celebrations as motivation to keep going?

For a deep dive into Week 1 tactics and strategies, visit my post here

Week 2. Develop a sales plan: Create a sales plan that outlines your target audience, sales approach, and key metrics. This will help you stay organized and focused on achieving your sales goals.

  • Day 6: Who is your target audience? What are their pain points and challenges, and how can you address them with your product or service?
  • Day 7: What is your unique selling proposition (USP)? How can you communicate this effectively to potential customers?
  • Day 8: What is your sales approach? How can you tailor it to different types of customers and situations?
  • Day 9: How can you use data and analytics to inform your sales plan? What insights can you gain from previous sales performance and customer behavior?
  • Day 10: How can you consistently review and update your sales plan to ensure it remains relevant and effective?

For a deep dive into Week 2 tactics and strategies, visit my post here

Week 3. Build relationships with your customers: Building strong relationships with your customers is essential for long-term success in sales. Focus on understanding their needs and pain points, and offer solutions that address their specific challenges.

  • Day 11: How can you actively listen to your customers to understand their needs and pain points?
  • Day 12: What are some effective ways to build rapport with customers? How can you use these techniques in your sales approach?
  • Day 13: How can you personalize your interactions with customers to make them feel valued and understood?
  • Day 14: How can you follow up with customers after a sale to ensure their satisfaction and build a long-term relationship?
  • Day 15: How can you leverage social media and other digital channels to connect with and engage customers?

For a deep dive into Week 3 tactics and strategies, visit my post here

Week 4. Improve your communication skills: Effective communication is key to successful sales. Work on improving your listening and communication skills, and focus on building rapport with your customers.

  • Day 16: What are some effective techniques for active listening? How can you incorporate these into your sales approach?
  • Day 17: How can you use storytelling to communicate the value of your product or service to customers?
  • Day 18: How can you use body language and nonverbal cues to establish trust and build rapport with customers?
  • Day 19: What are some effective questioning techniques that can help you better understand customer needs and pain points?
  • Day 20: How can you stay up-to-date with the latest sales trends and techniques? What resources and training programs can you access to continuously improve your sales approach?

For a deep dive into Week 4 tactics and strategies, visit my post here

Week 5: Continuously learn and adapt: The sales industry is always changing, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. Attend sales training programs, read industry publications, and seek feedback from your colleagues and customers to continuously improve your sales approach.

  • Day 21: Reflect on your recent sales interactions. What worked well? What could have been improved? Identify specific areas where you can enhance your sales techniques.
  • Day 22: Review industry publications, blogs, or podcasts to stay updated on the latest trends in your field. Identify one key insight or strategy that you can incorporate into your sales approach.
  • Day 23: Seek feedback from your colleagues or mentors. Ask them to evaluate your sales techniques and provide suggestions for improvement. Consider their input and determine actionable steps to enhance your approach.
  • Day 24: Attend a sales training or webinar. Choose a topic that aligns with your development needs, such as negotiation skills or objection handling. Apply the knowledge gained to your sales practice.
  • Day 25: Analyze customer feedback and testimonials. Identify common themes or areas of improvement mentioned by customers. Use this feedback to refine your sales approach and better address customer needs.
  • Day 26: Experiment with a new sales technique or approach. Step out of your comfort zone and try something different to see how it resonates with customers. Evaluate the results and determine if it’s worth incorporating into your regular practice.
  • Day 27: Engage in role-playing exercises with a colleague or mentor. Practice different sales scenarios and receive constructive feedback on your performance. Use this opportunity to refine your communication and persuasion skills.
  • Day 28: Reflect on your overall progress throughout the month. Celebrate your accomplishments and identify any remaining areas for improvement. Set new learning goals for the upcoming month to continue your professional growth.

Remember that sales success takes time and effort, and it’s important to stay motivated and focused even during the down months. With the right approach and mindset, you can achieve your sales goals and build a successful career.

Coaching Beyond the Metrics

My approach to coaching, which I use in my role as a sales manager who works with top salespeople, is based on three essential pillars: caring, focus, and listening. In this article, I will share, what I believe to be, the significance of these pillars and offer some suggestions for how sales coaches might make good use of them to assist their sales reps in achieving the goals they have set.

Pillar #1: a sincere concern for the individual

While Stephen Stills sang it first, it is a common refrain in sales to, “love the one your with”. This is a great reminder when working with customers, but what about when it comes to working with your salespeople? How often have you sat with a manager only to be stuck in a whirlwind of someone who’s multitasking?  To be an effective coach, you must first demonstrate a profound concern for the individual you are working with and that begins with scheduling uninterrupted time with your reps. If you want to be a good coach, you need to sincerely care about the people you’re mentoring and the progress they make.  You have to work to build a connection with them that is founded on trust, respect, and empathy. You must be willing to devote both time and effort into comprehending their (what’s perceived) one-of-a-kind circumstance. If the person you are coaching has the impression that you care about them on a personal level, they will be more receptive to the advice you give and more likely to put it into practice. 

Listed below are some examples of questions that might be asked when delivering on this pillar:

  • What do you perceive to be your most significant obstacles at the moment, and how may I assist you in overcoming them?
  • What is it that drives you to succeed, and how can I help you work toward attaining the objectives that you have set for yourself?
  • What are some of your personal as well as professional objectives, and how may I assist you in accomplishing those objectives?

Questions to gain commitment on future activities:

  • In order to get past your difficulties, what actions are you prepared to take?
  • In order to accomplish what you have set out to do, how can you best utilize your strengths?
  • What are some concrete steps you can take this week to go closer to achieving the objectives you’ve set for yourself?

Pillar #2: the ability to concentrate on the goals of another person

If you want to be a good coach, you have to put the needs and goals of your reps ahead of your own. It is your responsibility to assist them in recognizing and achieving their objectives. After 15 years of coaching sales professionals it is no surprise to me when a sales rep comes to a coaching session without defined goals and objectives. I’m talking about the things that are beyond quota, minimums, and income expectations. Too often we get caught up doing what we are doing today because it is the same thing we did yesterday. To really challenge your reps you need to have excellent listening skills and be able to ask probing questions that assist them in gaining clarity, insight, and perspective. You have a duty to help them in exploring a variety of possibilities and solutions, and you must also encourage them to take accountability of their actions and choices. You know you are doing this well if the conversation becomes uncomfortable. If achieving goals were easy they aren’t really goals and this requires you to stretch someone beyond what they may believe they are capable of doing. 

Listed below are some examples of questions that might be asked when you are delivering on this pillar:

  • What are some goals that you wish to accomplish in the next six to twelve months, and why is accomplishing these goals important to you?
  • What are your greatest areas of strength and where do you feel you need the most growth, and how can you best utilize those areas to reach the objectives you have set for yourself?
  • What are some possible problems or roadblocks that you could run across, and how can you get beyond them?

Questions to gain commitment on future activities:

  • What specific actions are you going to take, and by when, in order to get closer to the achievement of your goals?
  • How can you make the most of your resources and network to move toward your objectives?
  • In order to keep moving forward with your goals, what kind of assistance or responsibility do you require from me?

Pillar #3: a willingness to actively listen and dive deeper

Active listening is essential to effective coaching, as is providing your rep with encouragement to investigate their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Too often I see both reps and managers listen with the goal to respond rather than to understand. The irony of these situations is that, as managers, don’t we want our sales people to listen to understand the customer rather than to product dump? Of course! This is our opportunity to display this skillset. It is necessary for you to ask open-ended questions that will assist your reps in revealing their values, ambitions, and priorities. You also need to be willing to confront their assumptions and beliefs and assist them in overcoming any self-doubt or limiting ideas that may be holding them back from reaching their full potential.

Listed below are some examples of questions that might be asked regarding this pillar:

  • What are some of your biggest worries or doubts, and how do you plan to get through them?
  • Which of the following views or narratives would you take into consideration that would serve you better?
  • What is the primary motive or reason behind your goals, and how can you best align them with the things that are most important to you?

Questions to gain commitment on future activities:

  • How can you evaluate your growth and improve based on the lessons you’ve gained from your experiences?
  • What kinds of assistance or resources do you require so that you can keep expanding and improving?
  • What are some measurable goals that you aim to reach, and how will you know when you’ve achieved them when you get there?

In a nutshell, in order to be a good coach, you need to have a profound sense of care, focus on the needs and agenda of your reps, engage in active listening, and encourage your reps to think critically. The use of these three pillars allows coaches/managers to not only form good connections with your reps but also to assist them in achieving their goals, as well as to empower them to continue developing and becoming more successful.

Source: HBR.org

Question Prompts for Great Goal Setting

GREAT Goals are

Outcome focused: Once you understand your WHY (and it’s an enthusiastic why) you’re 90% there!

In line with your values: The more a goal aligns with our inner or core values—the EASIER it is to achieve. Yes, we can achieve goals that don’t align with our values but it’s harder to do and less satisfying.

Stated in the positive: ie. I want to make healthy food choice rather than I want to stop eating Oreos.

and SMART

  • Specific—so you know exactly what you’re trying to achieve
  • Measurable—so you’ll know when you’ve achieved it!
  • Actionable (by you)—so you are in control and can get it done
  • Realistic—so it is achievable
  • Time-Bound—has a deadline

Focusing on the Outcomes

What is it that you really, REALLY want? Dig deep…

What is the SPECIFIC outcome you’re looking for?

What is the PAIN for you of NOT achieving your goal?

Aligning with your Values

Is this goal in line with your life vision/overall life-plan? If you don’t know, what does your gut tell you?

Is this goal in line with your values? Unsure? First ask yourself what’s REALLY important to you in life, then ask if this goal will help you achieve more of that?

Are your goals something YOU truly want, or are they something you think you SHOULD have or SHOULD be doing? Tip: If it’s a SHOULD, this may be an outdated goal or someone else’s dream…

When you think about your goal does it give you a sense of deep contentment or ‘rightness’, happiness and/or excitement? If so, these are good signs that it’s a healthy goal.

If you could have this goal RIGHT NOW, would you take it? If not, why not? What issues are there?

How does this goal fit into your life/lifestyle? Time/effort/commitments/who else might be impacted?

Identifying Obstacles

Can you start—and maintain—the action necessary to achieve this goal?

How will making this change affect other aspects of your life? ie. What might you need to deal with in order to achieve this goal?

What’s good about your CURRENT situation? ie. What’s the benefit of staying right where you are? Then ask, how can I keep those good aspects while STILL making this change?

WHAT might you have to give up/stop doing to achieve this goal? Essentially, what’s the price of making this change—and are you willing to pay it?

If there was something important around achieving this goal (to help you succeed, or that could get in the way) that you haven’t mentioned yet, what would it be?

WHO will you have to BE to achieve this goal?

Goal Sizing

Is your goal the right size to be working on? Too big? Break down into smaller goals. Too small or uninspiring? Make it into a larger or stretch goal.

What would be the MINIMUM/Super-Easy level of goal to achieve?

What would be your TARGET level of goal to achieve?

What would be your EXTRAORDINARY level of goal to achieve?

Resources: Get Moving

  • What RESOURCES do you already have to help you achieve your goal? Make a list! eg. things, support from people, contacts, personal qualities, knowledge, skills, money, time etc.
  • What RESOURCES do you NEED to help you achieve your goal? Make a list!

IMPORTANT: REMEMBER that GOALS are there to INSPIRE YOU, not to beat yourself up with!

7 Common Obstacles to Your Goals and How to Navigate Them

Photo by Kind and Curious on Unsplash

Having goals will help you achieve the life you want. Some of life’s most satisfying experiences are those that involve staying focused on a goal until you achieve it. Yet you’ll likely experience times when, no matter how hard you try, you’re frustrated by obstacles blocking the way.

Obstacles come in all shapes and sizes. 

Here are some typical blocks to goal achievement:

1. Lack of creativity. You might have your own struggles determining how to best work toward attaining what you want. Perhaps you’ve run out of ideas to make it happen. Creativity is a key component to long-term success, and creativity is a skill that can be built over time. 

For instance, many years ago I worked in a sales role where the sales team received leads that contained information that was often inaccurate. While teammates remained frustrated and helpless in contacting these leads, I took it upon myself to find ways to contact these leads via social media. Some of these leads that others perceived as a waste of time turned into sales for me. 

2. Negative thinking. We’ve all been plagued by negative thinking. You feel you’re just not going to be able to achieve your goals. You turn on the news at any given time today and you’re bombarded with headlines that can easily turn into stinking thinking. Negative thinking is a potent block, because once it begins, it tends to escalate and can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

3. Lagging confidence. Following closely on the heels of negative thinking, a lack of confidence is the bane of goal achievement. You begin to seriously question your skills and abilities to complete the work required to reach your goal. The other side of the same coin is that oftentimes a lack of self-confidence is outwardly projected onto the job, employer, or the manager. Rarely do you hear, “I just don’t think I can do this”, but rather “why don’t they (employer/manager/supervisor/department) provide me the tools for me to succeed?”. 

4. Focus follies. Who among us can claim we’ve never lost our way on the path toward our dream job scenario? We want to reach that milestone but we keep getting thwarted by distractions. How can you work on an important project when your wife keeps asking you why you aren’t painting the house or spending time with the kids? A lack of prioritization, procrastination, and discipline all lead to situations that become distractions and cause barriers to remaining focused.

5. Refusing to put in effort. It goes without saying that every goal requires you to work and persevere to reach success. Life owes you nothing. Period. 

6. Time traps. Making your way toward goals is challenging enough without having the irritation of not enough time to do it. You either manage your time, or time manages you. There are a lot of time management strategies and techniques available. Some I’ve written about previously. A lack of time is rarely the root cause of missing a target, it usually comes back to a lack of time management. No one has more than 24 hours in a day. 

7. Vague aspirations. If you’re unsure about what you really want, it’s a challenge to continue toward your goals. Vague aspirations equal unmet goals. Too many resources are wasted on individuals who don’t take the time to write out their goals and can articulate them clearly and concisely. 

Now that you have a good idea of blocks you might encounter on your way to goal achievement, review the suggestions below (corresponding to above-numbered items) to determine how to best avoid them.

1. Take responsibility to keep creativity going. Draw pictures of what you hope to achieve. Make a storyboard of your plan of action. Design a vision board of what your goal pathway looks like and include how your life will differ after achieving your goal. 

2. Arrest negative thoughts. As soon as they creep in, think, “Stop it now” and mean it. Then, replace that negativity with an “I will persevere and achieve” message. Tell yourself, “I can and will do it.”

3. Review past achievements. Give yourself props for goals you’ve achieved before. What were those goals? Use these reminder techniques to find and connect with your confidence. Anytime you feel that you need a dose of positivity, or a simple reminder of why you do what you do, reach out to a customer you’ve worked with successfully in the past.  

4. Commit to goals. Remind yourself daily about why you want to reach a particular goal. Perhaps you’ll earn more money, get a better job, live in a place you prefer, or protect your family’s future. Stay the course by re-committing to goals each morning.

5. Work. Along with committing wholeheartedly to goals, you’ve got to put in the work. Tell yourself your effort will, in the end, be worth it.

6. Use your schedule. No matter what your goal, consistently schedule the time to work toward it. If you don’t keep a calendar now, start. Look at your entire week or month and what’s scheduled with a quick glance. Write in when you’ll work toward goals. What gets measured gets managed. If you are not measuring your available time and planning accordingly, you’ll begin to miss key opportunities.  

7. Clarify goals. Write them and place copies everywhere inside your house, car, office, and calendar. When you’re sure about what you want, then you can diligently work toward those goals.

There will be obstacles to block the path toward your goals. But if you can identify the sources of the blocks, you can develop solutions or use these time-tested strategies to navigate those obstacles and claim your success.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear”

Ambrose Redmoon

If you’d like a FREE Action Guide on how to begin building a strong foundation to overcoming trying situations simply leave a comment below and I’ll send you the download link!

8 Reasons Staying in Your Comfort Zone is Bad Idea

Photo by Dillon Shook on Unsplash

Why do we choose to live in our comfort zone? Because we are accustomed to a stress-free existence in our comfort zone. It’s what you’re used to. It’s also the point in our lives that we’re the most miserable. Organizational studies suggest that most workers are un-engaged in what they do, yet most continue to stay within their comfort zone and bare the misery. These same individuals who identify as being “un-engaged” could stretch themselves outside of their self-imposed comfort zone could begin to experience a new sense of excitement in what they do.  

We force ourselves to remain stagnant when we stay in our comfort zone. We’re terrified of what may happen if we change. Our brains are wired to keep us secure, so we prefer to stay in our familiar surroundings rather than face the unexpected.

However, staying in our comfort zones might lead to other problems. Here are eight reasons why staying in your comfort zone is a bad idea.

1. You are not achieving your goals. If you stay in your comfort zone, you are less likely to achieve your goals. You are preventing yourself from achieving your goals because of fear, procrastination, and self-doubt.

2. A lack of development. Staying in your comfort zone will almost certainly prevent you from reaching your full potential. You’ll constantly be stagnant, never progressing, never developing and growing. You may fail to meet your goals because you insist on doing things the same way you’ve always done them, even though you’re not seeing any results. You don’t go outside your comfort zone to see what you’re capable of or what you can achieve. 

3. Loss of passion. Staying in your comfort zone makes it more difficult to discover your passions. Outside of your comfort zone is where you’ll find your passion.

4. A sense of being ignored. When you stay in your comfort zone, you will feel as though you are falling behind your coworkers and anyone with whom you interact. They may have been behind you in terms of results or tenure, but they have passed you by because they ventured outside of their comfort zone.

5. Making do with less. You force yourself to settle for less than you want by continuing to live in your comfort zone. You set aside your passions or things you like.

6. Your self-confidence is low. You won’t have the confidence you need to grow and take on new challenges if you don’t get out of your comfort zone.

7. Your health is harmed. When you don’t step outside of your comfort zone, you aren’t always taking care of your health. Stress often stems from a fear of having a long-overdue difficult conversation, a reluctance to modify your habits, or a reluctance to go to the gym for fear of being judged or attempting something new.

8. You’ll be caught off guard by changes. When you cling within your comfort zone, you become rigid and fixed in your ways. Life may be challenging, sending a variety of challenges your way. Even if you don’t want to, things might happen that force you out of your comfort zone. You can’t be open to new possibilities if you stay in your comfort zone.

The same reasons we stay in our comfort zones are the exact reasons we should use to break out of them. Staying in your comfort zone may feel safe, but settling for mediocrity is a mistake.

Where you find your best-self!

There’s a mysterious place that many people are afraid to go. They hear about this place and how treacherous it can be, and only know stories of people who’ve gone there before and have failed. What is this place? It’s the unknown and it’s the single destination that traps careers and stifles potential. 

“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone,” – Roy T. Bennet

It’s true that when you venture out of your comfort zone, you get a glimpse of who you truly are. A personal trainer once told me that it’s so much more interesting finding out what you cannot do, rather than what you can do. She was right, it was a personal challenge to re-define what I felt my limitations were. Taking a journey into the unknown. The unknown I s about confronting our anxieties and pursuing our passions.

We frequently have sentiments like “I can’t,” “I don’t want to,” or “it’s too difficult” that keep us stagnant and miserable in our lives. It is only when we realize that we can find our true self when we stop allowing our negative thoughts to control us.

Taking a step into the unknown, the place just beyond where we can see the outcome, is terrifying. That’s the part that makes our hearts race and causes us to break out in a cold sweat, but we still want to see what’s there.

Staying in our comfort zones prevents us from taking that first step into the unknown. It ensures our safety and security. Your current life is based on your comfort zone. It’s the way you define who and what you are right now.

But what if you pushed yourself beyond that comfort zone? Would something bad happen? Or would you suddenly become fascinated with idea of experiencing something completely new?

How do you know if you should take a chance on something new? Begin by making a list of ten activities that don’t terrify you and that you do frequently. This might include activities like taking public transportation or delivering a public speech, or whatever else does not frighten you. Because we all have various comfort zones, it will be different for each person.

Describe how it feels to be in your comfort zone. Use as many feeling words as possible to provide as much information as feasible. What does it feel like to be in your own mind, and your life?

Then consider the following questions:

  1. Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish but haven’t yet?
  2. Do you find yourself unsatisfied with your everyday routine?
  3. Do you wish to make a major difference in your community?
  4. Are your ambitions and passions constantly nagging at you?
  5. Do you have any material or intangible goals that you don’t have?
  6. Do you have trouble finding significance in your life?
  7. Do you find yourself envious of those who have accomplished or done something you secretly desire?

After you’ve answered these questions, consider what’s preventing you from pursuing your goals. What makes you feel uneasy? Is it apprehension? Are you afraid to try new things or take risks?

Make a list of ten things that scare you.

Now imagine how you’d feel if you were forced to live outside of your comfort zone. Provide as much information as possible. Describe how it feels, what you see, hear, and where you are in detail. To assist you a great exercise is to construct a vision board. 

Take your time when completing these tasks. Once you’ve identified what’s preventing you from venturing into the unknown, you may start taking modest steps outside of your comfort zone to get there.

Once you venture into the unknown and discover your best self, your career may be as fulfilling and exciting as you wish.

Will Your Comfort Zone Be Holding You Back in 22′?

We start hearing a lot about stepping out of our comfort zones at the beginning of every new year. Have you ever considered why you should? After all, it’s in our comfort zone that we feel in charge and stable. It’s where we can easily envision what will happen and how we will feel in the future. It’s the spot where there won’t be any unexpected events that we won’t be able to handle.

So, why would you feel driven to leave your comfort zone, or even want to? You must do it because stepping outside of your comfort zone is essential for personal development and fulfillment. Getting out of your comfort zone can help you boost your self-esteem and improve your self-image.

Is your comfort zone preventing you from living your best life and progressing in your career?

Yes, it is. You are preventing yourself from realizing and achieving your goals by remaining in your comfort zone. You won’t be pushed if you stay in your comfort zone, and you won’t have to rise to new challenges. There’s a typical self-delusion that when faced with a problem, we’ll instinctively believe we’ll be able to rise to the occasion; yet, studies show that we’ll default to our highest level of training. Getting out of your comfort zone accomplishes just that; it’s the training that prepares you to meet challenges that arise. 

Here are three ways that being in your comfort zone is preventing you from developing.

1. It prevents you from developing as a person. When you’re afraid of something, staying in your comfort zone allows you to avoid confronting it. Then you suffer for the rest of your life, or until you finally confront it. You avoid circumstances that force you to confront your fear in order to conquer it.

For example, despite the fact that it is a step up on your professional ladder, your fear of public speaking prevents you from embracing the challenge of conducting meetings among your peers.

2. You are unable to be happy because you are trapped in your comfort zone. Perhaps you have challenges with self-esteem and self-image. These issues will only become worse until you take measures outside of your comfort zone to solve them. Getting out of your comfort zone can help you gain self-confidence and see yourself in a new light.

You will be happy if you are confident and have a positive self-image. If you’re not confident in your talents, for example, you’re more likely to stay in your comfort zone rather than attempt anything new. This lowers your self-esteem, makes you feel inept, and makes you powerless.

3. Remaining in your comfort zone can make you feel trapped and cause you to become more stressed. Fear keeps us in harmful behaviors while we’re in our comfort zone. You may want to become more active, run a marathon, experience fewer aches and pains, and embark on new adventures. To achieve any of these things, though, you must go outside of your comfort zone.

4. Let’s say you want to run a 5k race. You’ve always wanted to do it, but you put it off and create reasons for why you can’t. You’re not in good enough shape. You are pressed for time. You’re past your prime. But the true reason is that you’re hesitant to go out of your comfort zone and start working with a personal trainer. As a result, you continue to eat unhealthy foods, gain weight, lose muscle mass, and put your dream on hold until your health becomes a serious issue.

When we stay in our comfort zones, we prevent ourselves from experiencing greater joy, happiness, and growth. We eventually succumb to our worries and settle for mediocrity.

6 Different Types of Goals. Are you using them?

Sales leaders set goals. But they often set only one type of goal, and in doing so they set themselves up for failure. Here are different types of goals to set:

  1. Achievement goals – These describe results that you will have when you finish the goal. Examples include: retire with a million dollars at age 65, earn a promotion by June, increase sales by 5%. Most major goals are achievement goals.

2. Action goals – These describe specific actions that you will take to accomplish achievement goals. Examples include: meet with an investment counselor, attend a workshop to learn new job skills, contact all of the prospects in the database.

3. Layered goals – These specify the same goal with different levels of priority and difficulty.

4. Rate goals – These specify actions repeatedly done over time. Examples include: Read two books per month, exercise three times per week, or write in a journal every day. Many personal growth activities can be performed as rate goals.

5. Limit goals – These set boundaries. Examples include: Spend less than $5,000 on new equipment, go to bed before 10 PM each night, take less than 45 minutes for lunch while at work. These help manage priorities.

6. Exclusion goals – These state things that you will not do. Examples include: Do not watch TV after 8 P.M., do not use a cell phone when with other people, do not eat junk foods. These help you decide in advance which activities you will avoid.

Now that you know the six types of goals begin thinking about how you can incorporate these into your short and long term plans. Doing so will put you on a path to maximum achievement!