Many years ago, I had the rather unique experience of
being backstage in Kochi Temple , in Kerala, during a festival time. To say the least, it was a fascinating
experience. As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly
stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only
a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that
the elephants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some reason,
they did not. I saw an elephant trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent
animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.
"Well," he said, "when they are very young and
much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's
enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they
cannot break away. They think the rope can still hold them, so they never try
to break free." I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free
from their bonds but because they believed they could not, they were stuck
right where they were.
Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging
onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once
before? How many of us are being held back by old, outdated beliefs that no
longer serve us? Have you avoided trying something new because of a limiting
belief? Worse, how many of us are being held back by someone else's limiting beliefs?
Do you tell yourself you can't sell because you're not a salesperson?
Particularly in starting or running a business, we are
cautioned not to take risks, usually by well-intentioned friends and family.
How many of us have heard, "You can't do that?" These are the dream
stealers who, due to their own limiting beliefs, will attempt to discourage you
from living your dreams. You must ignore them at all cost! I am not suggesting
that you should not seek advice from qualified individuals and mentors, but
that you avoid like the plague, being swayed by the limiting beliefs of others,
especially people who are not in their own business.
Challenge your own limiting beliefs by questioning them. If
you begin to question a belief, you automatically weaken it. The more you
question your limiting beliefs, the more they are weakened. It's like kicking
the legs out from under a stool. Once you weaken one leg, the stool begins to
lose its balance and fall. Think back to a time when you "sold"
someone on yourself. We are selling all the time. You have to sell your ideas
to your spouse, your children, and your employees - even your banker. Maybe, as
a child, you sold Girl Scout cookies or magazine subscriptions to raise money
for your school team. That was selling too!
Once you realize you are, in fact, a capable salesperson, you
have weakened that old belief and began to replace it with a new, empowering
one. Look for references to support the new beliefs you want to cultivate. As
in the example of the stool, you want to reinforce your beliefs by adding more
and more "legs" to them. Find people who have accomplished what you
want to accomplish, discover what they did and model their behavior. Remember
back to times in your past when you were successful and use that experience to propel
yourself forward. If your challenge is in sales, read sales books and listen to
tapes or attend sales seminars. This is a critical area of your business. One
that cannot be undermined by limiting beliefs.
There is a technique called "fake it until you make
it" that works well. I am not suggesting you live in denial, just that you
begin to see yourself succeeding. Visualize your successes. See yourself
vividly in your mind’s eye making the sale and reaching your goals. Affirm,
over and over, that you are succeeding.
Write your affirmations daily. Of course, make sure you take
the appropriate action.
Remember that your subconscious mind does not know the
difference between real and imaginary. Before you go on a sales call, take a
moment and mentally rehearse the scene, just like actors and athletes do. Tell yourself,
"I'm a great salesperson.” Do this over and over, especially just before a
sales call. See the sale being made. See and feel the success. You will be
pleasantly amazed at the result. Don't take my word for it. Give it a try. You
have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
It has been said throughout history that whatever you
believe, with conviction, you can achieve. Don't be like the poor elephant and
go through your life stuck because of a limiting belief you were given or
developed years ago. Take charge of your life and live it to the fullest. You
deserve the best!
