“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. “~ Dr. Wayne Dyer . My daughter is on a travel softball team representing our town. When they started this year, they were a hodgepodge of kids. A few of these kids had never played ball at all and most of them had only played on a low level recreation league. The coach didn’t expect much, and the kids didn’t expect much. They tied their first game. They lost their second game to a team that beat them soundly with a mercy rule; and has since been undefeated.
But, then they started to win, and win, and win. They started to EXPECT to win. They would THINK of themselves as winners before they even started playing and then, they would confidently play. They had the mindset of winners. When they played the undefeated team the second time, they were a little intimidated. They played differently against them, better than the first time, but they still lost by one point. It’s so interesting to me how much of a head game it really was. When they realized that they were close to beating them, they knew that they could beat them. They still have to play that team one more time, and this time, I think they will win.
Do you expect to win or expect to lose? “If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.” ~Henry Ford. So, how do you get yourself to the place where you THINK you can? Here are some suggestions:
Imagine yourself winning. Play the successful scenario out in your head. Imagine yourself confidently explaining your product or service. Anticipate objections and have the answers that overcome them ready.
Give yourself credit for your successes. If you only notice the negative, you will dwell on the negative. Practice the sandwich method. Take stock in what you did well, then look at what you could have done better, then finish with celebrating the successful aspects. This two to one ratio will begin to help shift your thinking in a positive direction.
Look confident and you will feel confident. Did you know that your body communicates a lot about your level of confidence? Your posture, facial expressions, even clothing communicate the essence of who you are constantly. I don’t know about you, but I can read those nonverbal cues even over the phone. Try having a sales conversation while you are slouching and frowning and then compare your results with an attentive and optimistic posture.
Change the conversations that you have about yourself and your abilities to that of success expectation and watch yourself begin to succeed. I love the quote from the classic 1990’s movie ‘Little Giants’ where Steve Emtman is talking to the kids; “Just remember, football is 80% mental and 40% physical.”
Get your head in the game and win!
P.S. The Head, which addresses CEO mindsets and creativity is one of the Leadership Anatomy 101 body parts. We’ll be working 8 body parts in the Leadership Anatomy Woman’s Retreat: The Body of Skills you Need to Bring your Dream to Life; November 17-21, 2010 in the Sonoma Valley of California. For more information Click http://bit.ly/IY8Cp.
