Skyrocket your sales with an Achiever's Attitude (Part 1)

Whenever I ask someone in any industry, "how are things going for you in business?" The recurring answers depict a very gloomy outlook about the economy and how challenging it is. Their call for and their need is - more sales.

There are trillions of dollars circulating in the economy right this minute ... and there are customers willing to pay for what they need and value. Are they more cautious about spending ... maybe? It was reported that retail sales accounted for over 70 per cent of the luxury brand, Burberry's revenue in the October to December period of 2011; a reported increase of 23 per cent.

The 'noise' (of the GFC2, Eurozone crisis, global warming, natural disasters, etc.) can become deafening – if you allow it too. It is creating a level of anxiety , that most of us have not experienced before. 

Back to the Basics

My philosophy in selling is simple. I Love Selling. When you love what you do, it becomes less of a job or mundane work.

"Everyone lives by selling something."                                                          ~ Robert Louis Stevenson ~  

Irrespective of what your current profession, job or career is – you are engaged in sales. What happens when you go for a job interview? What do you need to do when financial resources are required to get your project or business off the ground? What happens when you go to the bank to get a home loan? There are elements of selling and negotiation that occurs in all these processes.

Selling is recognised as one of the toughest 'jobs' in the world and most people don't like selling.

Why most people fear 'selling'

• It is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, the highs of winning a deal or making a sale and the
   lows of losing a deal, sale, bid or project at the last minute, even though you have
   done everything possible

• Fear of rejection – this is a key stumbling block why a sales person does not close the
   sale. Did you know that approximately 86% of sales people do not ask for the sale?

"For an actor, you're rejected eight or ten times a day. All you've got to sell is yourself. You're not selling products, they're not turning down a car, they're turning you down. Most people can't handle that. Most people are essentially not set up that way."                                                                  ~ Barry Corbin ~

• Fear of failure

• Fear of success

• Fear of handling objections

• Fear of presenting/public speaking

• Fear of cold-calling, prospecting

The Essence of Passion

"Passion is powerful ...
nothing great was ever achieved without it, and nothing can take its place.
No matter what you face in life, if your passion is great enough,
you will find the strength to succeed.
Without passion, life has no meaning.
So, put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts ...
this is the Essence of Passion.
This is the Secret to Life."

It is important to be passionate about the process of selling, to remain enthusiastic despite the challenges that the sales profession sometimes presents, and to relish that feeling of accomplishment and confidence in closing a sale.

"I like to think of sales as the ability to gracefully persuade, not manipulate, a person or persons into a win-win situation."                                                         ~ Bo Bennett ~ 

Look out for the next part of this series. I am grateful to be on this journey with you. Carpè Diem.

About the Author: Xen (The X Factor) Angelides is the founder of X-Factor Human Performance Systems. Xen Angelides is a Business Development Consultant, a proven veteran of the fitness industry, an accomplished educator and professional speaker. As a certified results coach and master practitioner of neuro linguistic programming (NLP) and neurological re-patterning, Xen has helped many individuals transform their thinking and performance. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or like his Facebook Fan Page.