By Dan Carr
One of the big reasons many of us are in business is to be our own boss. Some of us got into the business out of necessity, perhaps through a layoff or other personal circumstance. But most of us like the freedom of working for ourselves and the flexibility that comes with owning our own business. Like any freedom, however, there are some limits which are worth considering.
For example, we are perfectly free to jump off a tall cliff. But we cannot choose the landing we will make. We are quite free to drive 95 mph on the highway, but we can't choose when we will get the speeding ticket or the amount of the fine that will result from it. We can send a pospect the perfect sales letter and brochure, but we can't choose whether or not the prospect will buy our product or service.
In other words, we are free to choose our actions, but not free to choose the consequences.
You've probably heard the old saying about leading a horse to water. You can't force the horse to drink. Beating the horse for not drinking doesn't serve any purpose. It's far better to lead the horse to another source of water. If a prospect doesn't purchase from your perfect sales letter and brochure, that's a chocie they have made to suit their own individual needs. It doesn't reflect on you personally or your heritage.
Of course, if a great many people choose not to purchase your product or service from that perfect sales letter or brochure, then perhaps it's time to rethink your offer. But that's a separate issue.
It's easy to get a little miffed when sales don't go quite the way we expect them to. But just as we're free to choose our actions, we're also free to choose our attitudes. Viktor Frankl said, "Ultimate freedom is man's right to choose his attitude." I am free to choose my attitude about those prospects who don't respond. If I get angry at them, then a great deal of energy goes into feeding and sustaining that anger.
Alternatively, if I choose to respect their right to choose for their own needs and desires, then I can devote my energy to contacting other prospects and offering them the same opportunity. If my offer is indeed as ideal as I think it is, I will eventually find a prospect whose needs it fits. My attitude is my choice. That choice affects the way I work and the way I look at the world around me.
We encounter people sometimes, who seem to think the world owes them a living and are upset because the world is behind on the payments. That kind of attitude colors every decision they make. It also robs that person of freedom and enjoyment, because they refuse to take even the slightest risk in this business. Until that attitude changes, that person will be very limited in their success in life.
In addition, some people seem to have an attitude that they're too important to be bothered with some "small time" operation. For them, "small time" means "unsavory" and this attitude can't accept simple survival. I don't know anyone who gets especially excited about being poor. I know I don't. This kind of person tends to define poverty as anything less than upper social register. Many millionaires in America got that way by owning their own businesses. They didn't become millionaires the second day they were in business. This high nose attitude keeps people from seeing opportunities that could in time bring them the rewards they're seeking.
There are also people who are willing to work for what they have and treat people honestly and with respect. This is the classic American work ethic, where work of any kind has value and workers are respected for their labor. This can be an attitude that leads to much success in business, if not taken to excess. Willingness to do what one can, even for only a little money in return, will open many doors of opportunity for a person.
Attitude is a choice. If we absorb our attitude, we are slaves. If we choose our attiude, we are free. It's easy to absorb the attitudes of others around us, but if we follow the crowd's attitude, we're a slave to the crowd. If we don't choose the crowd's attitude, then we're our own free person.
How should we choose attitudes? Choose attitudes that lead to profit. Choose attitudes that allow you to spend your energy and resources in ways that are productive for your business and healthy for yourself.
We can't choose the consequences of our marketing efforts. We can, and should, choose our attitudes about those consequences. Being a winner is less about skill or accomplishment than it is about attitude. A positive outlook recognizes profitable opportunities and makes the most of them.
The choices are yours to make. With education and experience, you'll be able to hone your attitude choices to fit your particular situation. Be encouraged!
Dan Carr is a member of "The Revolution Team." To find out how to join that team as a part of Dan's downline, simply call the 24-hour hotline for free information, (402) 465-3475, extension C1239.
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