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Sales Leadership Thoughts: Why Winners Win

Last week, after I spoke at a conference, an attendee mentioned to me that she really enjoyed the topic, "Why Winners Win." It's also one of my favorite parts of the keynote, and the four points I make in it consolidate many of my own personal beliefs. I thought I would share them with you today.

Point 1: Winners create optimism. One reason is they dare to dream what others can't imagine. In the past, sociologists told us that you needed talent or hunger to succeed and win. In one study of highly talented individuals, researchers found that those who were successful had an additional ingredient: optimism. Not a simple happy-go-lucky feeling, but a real attitude that good things will happen. You can develop this attribute by focusing on the positives of life.

Point 2: Winners recognize fear as opportunity. Winners aren't immune to fear, but instead of letting fear stop them, the go with it. They treat fear as a signal and push through to experience new heights of living. Feel the fear -- but do it anyway!

Point 3: Winners build dreams. Winners can visualize. They create the image of their dream into reality. Our dreams shape us; we can't do what we can't imagine. People who get what they want often figure out what that is by letting their ambitions soar instead of censoring them before they emerge. Winners hang on to dreams. They are self-fulfilling prophecy; positive illusions promote productive work and a successful life.

Point 4: Winners reduce frustrations. Winners focus on what will go right, not what will go wrong. Losers see the sand traps around every green, but winners see only the greens -- go for the pin! Remember that past frustrations build anxiety. While we must recognize frustration, it is a healthy byproduct of working toward your goals. Frustrations are simply steps to achievement.

I hope these ideas will begin to make your week, month and year terrific. Remember to build a "gourmet life"! Put the right ingredients in place and your menu for life will guide you to success and happiness.

Posted by Ken Thoreson on May 13, 2011


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