The Missing Ingredient to Success in Sales and Business
Entrepreneurs and sales professionals who are exceedingly successful will tell you that it’s not just one thing that made the difference in their careers. It’s a combination of factors that came together, a bit like ingredients in a recipe.
You need to be self-assured to achieve success in business and especially in sales. Walk into a sales presentation or networking event with self-doubt, and others will inevitably doubt you and the value of what you offer.
Most business entrepreneurs and sales professionals are also determined self-starters. Driving sales and building a business takes both ambition and commitment to staying the course whatever obstacles come your way.
Throw in a dash of motivation to your recipe every now and then. And of course, a healthy serving of integrity is a necessary ingredient.
In recent weeks, I’ve talked about the importance of having a specific, measurable plan moving into the 2019 calendar year. Without a set of directions, your recipe would just be a list of ingredients.
We’re now a few weeks into 2019. Have you identified which personal and professional goals you want to achieve this year but are struggling to stay committed to your action plan?
If your answer is yes, then it’s important to understand which ingredient may be missing from your recipe and how its absence could jeopardize your success.
The reason many confident self-starters with clear goals and action plans struggle is that they lack accountability. Whether you work in sales or run a business, accountability is key to keeping you on track in the face of obstacles, especially as you strive to reach long-term goals.
Motivation isn’t a substitute for accountability. Why? Because motivation isn’t a constant, it fluctuates. Accountability is meant to keep us on track as our motivation ebbs and flows.
Before we go any further, let’s define what I mean by accountability. Accountability is when you’re obligated or expected to justify your decisions or actions to another person or group.
When you commit to regularly checking in and giving honest updates, you take a huge step toward achieving your goals. Some professionals can keep themselves fully accountable, but they are the rare exception. Most of us need an accountability partner in the form of a respected mentor, a business strategist, or a mastermind group.
An accountability partner is key to the transformation from where you are today to building a legacy business.
Accountability isn’t just important in business, it’s critical in all areas of life. Have you set a weight loss or exercise goal? It can be difficult to stay on track without someone you respect and trust holding you accountable. Whatever area of your life you’re looking to grow in, the same accountability principle applies.
Align your accountability with your values.
Some professionals rebel against the idea of being held accountable. They want creativity and freedom and see accountability as a check on their independence. I believe the opposite is true. Accountability gives you freedom and creativity because when you’re achieving your goals and bringing in revenue, you have more independence to pursue what excites you.
If you find yourself wanting to rebel against the notion of accountability, make sure what you’re being held accountable for is directly tied to what you value. So if you want more time with family, for example, work with your accountability partner to set rewards for yourself of extra time off when you reach milestones related to your goals.
Consistency is the key to accountability.
One of the most fundamental aspects of accountability is frequently keeping tabs on what you’re being held accountable for. And yet, this is one area where many entrepreneurs and sales professionals slip up.
In my Silver Council Mastermind Group, we devote time regularly to hold each member accountable for what they’re working on. That single feature makes a huge difference for participants. They tell me, “I know I’m going to have to report back about whether or not I got this done. So I had to do it!”
Our Mastermind Group is one of the ways we at Celeste Giordano Coaching hold entrepreneurs and sales professionals accountable to do the things they set out to do daily, monthly, and annually. How many prospecting calls did you make this month? Did you reach your sales quota? Do you find yourself slacking toward the end of the week?
If you’re like most people, touching base regularly with an accountability partner will keep you honest, focused, and receptive to advice and constructive criticism that will empower you to build a legacy business and “double plus” your income this year.
In the recipe for success, remember: You either make yourself accountable or you will be made accountable by your circumstances.
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Color My Day: A 3-in-1 Planner, Journal, and Coloring Book takes organizing your day, week, and month to a new and exciting level. With this guided creativity book, you can equip yourself with the tools to help you be productive, reflective, and creative in your personal life and career — while having fun!
This 13-week planner — sprinkled with fun, quirky, positive, and inspiring quotes and images — is designed to guide you in expressing your own creativity while making to-do lists, tracking habits, scheduling your day, keeping your diary, and setting goals.
The best part is we’ve created an accountability partner that you can take anywhere. Step away from your digital devices, flip through the pages of this book, and make it your own.
Maybe you don’t consider yourself artistic, but Color My Day will spark your creativity. Each page is a basic template for you to personalize by adding your tasks, ideas, and plans in your own designs and favorite colors to inspire every area of your life.
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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlusTM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.
To learn more about Celeste, click here.
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“Align your accountability with your values.” Love it!