2023 Sales Planning and Goals Show #458

As the Tao teaches, life is in constant ebb and flow. Notions we have today may not happen as we expect. That’s a given. Pandemics and major life changes can muck up the best laid plans of mice and men. But it’s better to execute on a bad plan, than to wait for the perfect plan that never happens.

 

One key behavior is daily journaling.  I do a Stoic journal, based on an idea from the philosopher, Epictetes.  Some people do it at the end of the day. I answer the questions first thing the next morning before the day starts.

Each day I ask myself three questions.

1. 1. What did you do well?   Who did you help? What little accomplishment did you achieve? What magical and noteworthy happening did you experience, no matter how small? What did you create?

   2. What did you do poorly? Where did you miss the mark? Where were you short with someone? Impatient? Cruel? Sloppy? Not living the behaviours you aspire to be?

   3. What should you do to become a better version of yourself? Look at your life and resolve to do better and be better with steps or pledge a plan that will have steps to make your aspirations become reality.

I only write a few sentences in long hand in a paper book to stop distractions with electronic devices. I write the date, day of week, and the number of steps I walked. Also I have a few letters to note a special happening. Under that I simply write “#1” then answer the first question, then do the same for question 2 and 3. It’s your journal, do as you wish. I’m just sharing how I approach it.

Journaling has been a game changer. What I’ve experienced is transformational success but in small incremental steps. Small changes  add up over time. I’ve become more patient, less judgmental, more generous, more focused. I am more  productive and most important, happier. .  Denise has really noticed it.

Before writing in the diary I read something inspirational. When I started I read Marcus Aurelius Meditations, Lao Tzu’ the Tao Te Ching, a book on the Essential Zen anything by Alan Watts. Last year I read Thoreau’s Walden, Marx’s Communist Manifesto (I disliked it lol but now can speak about it with confidence), or Bob Burgs the Go-Giver. 

I still use square post it notes and make a list of 3-5 things I must get done today. The next day carry over what didn’t get done or scratch it off if the task is moot. Simple and easy peasey. I’ve tried a million online tools and apps. Paper post-its are simple and quick.

I’m a strong proponent of Taoism’s philosophy of wu-wei (frictionless action in English). This is selling and marketing at it’s very best.. I’ve stopped trying to will the world to my favor, but learned to accept the world as it is. Bullying buyers to buy, is short sighted. Professionals play the long game. Great sales is dependent on mindfulness and knowing oneself. This includes knowing your talents and your limits and accepting ourselves for who we are.

Let’s set some goals since all things are possible in January! Hope this helps. Would love to hear how it goes.

How to Connect with Pat Helmers at Sales Babble

Sales Babble shares selling secrets for non-sellers.  Masterful selling is understanding what buyers want, discerning if you can help,  showing what you have and helping them to make a decision that is good for their business and yours. See https://salesbabble.com

I’ve interviewed 100s of sales experts and discuss all things sales: prospecting, qualifying, value propositions, presentations, demos, closing, generating referrals, earning references, upselling, marketing, lead generation, copywriting, and most important the right selling mindset. Stop fearing sales and embrace it.

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