Are You A Risk Taker?

Long ago, I read Dale Carnegie’s suggestion as fear sets in upon attempting something risky is to ask yourself “What’s the worst that can happen?”

Most often our fear is far greater than the worst that can happen! Understanding this concept led me to live life more carefree.

We are attracted to like-minded friends, prospects, and clients, and we should be considering the same while on interviews. My friend shared a confidential letter with me that she sent to a U.S. Senator requesting the Senator speak at an upcoming international event. While it may seem far-fetched on one level, for political reasons there remains a possibility the Senator will accept.

The coincidence is at the beginning of the week, I did something very similar. Knowing my new book, HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews” was in the process of launching online and in stores, I also sent letters as well as both of my books to state and national political leaders.

I suggested a conference centered on better interviewing techniques, stress reduction, and building one’s brand and possibly use the book as a fundraiser. It is a question of whether politics can be put aside for the betterment of the communities these political leaders represent.

Building the relationship by presenting far-reaching requests from the other party’s point of view brings about better results. When you communicate and market in this manner, you stand a far greater likelihood of becoming successful, as you will attract far many more prospects, clients and sales.

Creativity and gumption is a requirement for entrepreneurship. Should no one respond to either of us, we have lost nothing. However, should one of us get a “Yes” somewhere, then we will have gained everything. Fear does not enter into the equation, only the mindset of success.

Being a leader or expert in your field requires taking the risk occasionally of receiving a no or a yes.

The concept applies as well to those who are employed. Every once in a while do you take a chance to apply for a job several steps over your head or attract clients that normally work with the “big guys”?

When you have a fleeting thought of “I wonder if…” I encourage you to take the chance to see if it will in fact pay off. You have nothing to lose because if you don’t try, you certainly won’t get the attention you wish to attract.

Should you decide to “go for it” do so a smaller percentage of the time than with your routine marketing to the usual prospects. It’s important to keep your pipeline of potential clients full. To increase your revenue or likelihood of your preferred job, you need the majority of your pipeline to fit the ideal profile you hold in your mind. This is true whether you are vying for a higher-level career position than you truly believe you will get or you are trying to make a sale.

To keep your enthusiasm high, be of the mindset to focus on a variety of profiles with which you would like to work. This is the same concept as “don’t put all of your eggs in one basket”. For whatever reason, you will find certain segments are more apt to purchase at a given time vs. another and which segment it is will keep rotating. So be flexible and a bit daring for interviews and your clientele, and you will attract far more opportunity. To further encourage the opportunity – build relationships!

As you attract more opportunities – you will be enjoying the Smooth Sale!