Are You Competent..?
Sunday, May 31st, 2009
In a discussion with a family friend earlier today, she related that there were some activities that weren't getting done... activities that she really felt needed to be accomplished in order for her to stay on track. After the usual chit-chat about fear... and priorities... you know, the text-book stuff... I asked her about competence. You see, she is one of the most competent people I know... at least in all her areas of competence! I asked her if it… Read More
"So... what can I help you find today?" the salesperson asked in the hardware section of a major department store. "Well... " I said, "I'm looking for a lawn mower that is REALLY easy to start." "We have one of the best selections of lawn mowers in the city... and they're all backed by the best service plans available... what's most important to you?" "Well... " I said, "I'm looking for a lawn mower that is REALLY easy to start." "Great... well all… 
I heard once that "Good Things Come In Three." I suppose that's true... probably LOTS of things come in three. Even weird things... anyway, I digress. But strangely enough, I did get THREE of darn-near the exact same question... about the same topic... from THREE totally unrelated people... over the last THREE days. As I travel from Point A to Points B, C, or D each day... I make it a habit to return ALL calls that have been left on voicemail.… 
Alright... so let's do this. You pick the area of life... family, career, health, finances, fitness, ministry, friends, charity, hobbies, personal growth, whatever... and I'll ask two questions. Go ahead... pick an area. This isn't a test. Okay, so it's finances... yes, more and more... it's always finances. So, here are my two questions: With respect to your... (fill in the blank, in this case... FINANCES): 1) Where do you WANT to be in 12-15 months?… 
I just got off the phone with an old friend who is stuck in his career. It seems he had read all the signs correctly over the past three years, and predicted with almost exact precision the situation he is in today. In other words, he's right about where he expected to be. But here's his real trouble... I asked where he expects to be next year at this time, if... he doesn't change anything. Answer... worse off than today. **************************************************************************************************************… 
What is it that you think you can't do? Years ago I heard a quote from Henry Ford which addressed this very topic. I will paraphrase it as follows: "If you think you can... you can; if you think you can't... you can't. Either way... you're right!" Could it be that it is really that simple? According to Henry, it seems like the greatest enemy of success... are these four simple letters "c-a-n-'t." And in many ways, his statement is true... taking… 
Okay, so the questions continue to come, proving that as the world changes... some things change little. "What do you say when someone asks what you do?" "How do you approach someone when cold-calling?" "What is the best way to handle price objections?" "What techniques move the prospect thru the funnel?" Techniques, techniques... techniques. As I said in an 
There are some things you can just count on in life... The sun coming up in the east... politicians telling you whatever they think you want to hear... 
So, let's start by looking at what I didn't say in the last two articles. I didn't say that real go-getters are eager to jump on every band wagon that comes along... or that they would jump on yours. And I didn't say that you should give your time to any and every cause at the expense of your own missions, goals, health, or family. I also didn't say that there is unlimited time available, or that you can always give another eight hours here, or sign… 
Okay, so real quick... if you need to refresh on yesterday's article... scroll down or 
