Thought that might catch your attention!
OK lady - this is an article that might shake you to your roots (I just had mine done by the way!)
There's a HORRID habit I see women entrepreneurs/small biz owners and women in sales doing on a regular basis and it drives me absolutely crazy.
Why? Because I know if they (by this of course - I mean YOU!) could break this habit - it would:
- reduce stress by the bucket load
- attract more customers to you and your company
- make you a hell of a lot more money
- create momentum in all aspects of your business
- give you more time
- save you thousands of wasted dollars each year
Want to Know What Your Horrid Little Habit is? Perfectionism!
Oh my! I just saw that look of guilt flash across your face!
Look - I know the details are important and you most definitely don't want to "slap things together". However - there comes a time when enough is enough and you have to put yourself out there!
So Why is Perfectionism Your #1 Horrid Habit?
Because it walks you down the Three-Step Path to Hell:
1. Perfectionism. Defined in the Sales Diva Dictionary as waiting for pigs to fly, ducks to get in a row, the stars to align and Brad Pitt to ask you on a date BEFORE you proceed with....well...ANYTHING!!
Some favorite phrases used by perfectionists are:
- "I'm too busy"
- "I want it to be perfect"
- "I don't have the time"
- "I don't have confidence"
- "I don't have the budget"
- "I'm not good at that"
- "I just need to work on it a LITTLE LONGER"
P.S. (They also tend to blame other people for WHY they aren't moving forward.)
2. Procrastination. Next hellish stage of Perfectionism. As you don't want to make a decision on something, you put it on the back burner of your mind - until it BURNS A HOLE right through your head.
You move into avoidance mode, feeling overwhelmed, being very pre-occupied and BUSY with things that aren't moving you in the right direction, which causes you more problems and more stress...You get the picture?
3. Paralysis. Third hellish stage. Now you secretly feel like a loser. You know what you need to do and yet you keep hoping that SOMEONE is going to give you the quick fix, save the day, magic pill formula that will solve everything for you. (Remember - the deer in the headlights look is not that attractive)
Listen Martha - I Feel Your Pain!
However - you're paying a price for all of this stalling (aka Perfectionism). If you DON'T follow-up with your customers, create new products or services, market yourself properly, invest in yourself, attract new customers and all of the other important and critical steps to selling...I can tell you where you're headed.
Perfectionism is a great way to go BROKE.
So What Does Your Sales Diva Want You To Do? Step up to the plate sister and quit whining.
If you want to be playing with the BIG GIRLS then you have to start doing what they do:
- Make choices
- Decide what is most important
- Be willing to make mistakes
- Find the damn money
- Quit doing what you are terrible at
- Realize that everyone has fear
I'm asking you to quit waiting. Ditch the excuses.
Why? Because I know you can do it.
Take a baby step and call the client you have been avoiding calling. Mail the thank-you card. Do something different in your marketing. Raise your prices. Hire the people who can help you grow faster.
You don't have to hang onto your HORRID HABIT any longer.
About the Author:Kim Duke, The Sales Diva, provides savvy, sassy sales training for women small biz owners and entrepreneurs. Kim works with clients internationally, showing them The Sales Diva secrets to success! Sign up for her saucy and smart FREE e-zine and receive her FREE Bonus Report “The 5 Biggest Sales Mistakes Women Make” at http://www.salesdivas.com
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