Three Simple Steps To Self Discovery

During the past few months I've brought up the importance of being true to yourself time and time again.

But as a number of people have asked me recently, "what if you don't know who the real you is?"

An excellent question; one that I'm sure is very relevant and true in a world where-in so many spend so much time and energy trying to look, talk, and behave like others.

One of the most effective ways in which to find out who you are is by identifying your values.

Find some quality time to do the following exercise;

1. Write down your five most important values

2. Write down why each value is so important to you.

3. In one paragraph describe what it all means.

Self Belief Leads To Sustained Sales Success

I'm sure you've heard me make the following two statements before;

1. The first thing a prospect buys into is 'You'.

And

2. You need to believe in yourself to succeed in Sales

But how exactly do you believe in yourself?
You need far more substance than self-help books.

The real substance comes from within.

Here are three steps to Greater and Sustained Self Belief.

1. Identify your 5 greatest strengths

2. Identify 5 occasions in your life that you've used those 5 strengths to achieve something you're very proud of

3. Develop your 5 greatest strengths

It is these same strengths that will enable you to consistently succeed in Sales and Business.

What Does God Look Like To You?

Whilst watching the film 'Exodus, Gods and Kings' last week, in which God is depicted as a young boy, the following thought popped into my head - 'What does God look like? If I was asked to draw a picture of God, what would I draw?'

You're probably wondering what the point or relevance of such an exercise is, but trust me, if we are to have a truly personal relationship with God then the way we picture or imagine Him is not only important but very significant.

Would I have to draw two pictures of God? - one of the old testament and another depicting the God of the new testament?

To be perfectly honest I was a little stuck. So I decided to pose the same question to some of my good friends.

Here's what they had to say.

"When you asked I immediately thought of the picture from exodus - The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night - That's how I see God - Cloud and Fire."

"In my head......all I imagine I would be able to "see" would be this massive ball of bright white light that I won't be able to look at directly. It'll be too bright to see the actual physical being in its radiating from.
I've thought of this before and that's honestly what I've always imagined He would look like if standing in front of me."

"I will draw by the name (lion of the tribe of Judah) so I will draw a lion with fire around it. ‎

"I know a lot of people imagine Him as a Gandalf lookalike - White long hair and beard. Well, when I was younger I subscribed to the same thing. But now, I see God as light. The Bible says that the Cherubims and Seraphims cover their faces with their feathers as God's glory is overwhelming.Then again, the Bible also says that we're made in God's image. So I'm thinking God has our features but is also light."

"Jesus maybe( and that's because I think he will appear according to my understanding)."

"He is like a human form, an illuminating light in a distance and hard to see."

"Well he would definitely look like man."


"He is very old, has a long white beard, bushy white hair, and wears a flowing white dress or robe."

"He is young, He has eyes, sees all things, he has ears, arms and legs, and a good heart. He gave up his only son for us."

"God in my mind would be somewhere in between a woman and a man (as in features), probably like a child in size."

"I would draw a picture of man. Afterall the bible says we are made in His likeness."

I'm of the opinion that God looks different to each and everyone of us. I'm struggling to put a face on him but what I can picture is a very loving arm around me. If I had asked myself this same question a few years ago I would probably have drawn something fierce and stern looking. Lol

However I'm starting to see God more and more as a God of infinite love and mercy. And the only way in which I can picture mercy and love is in a human form; which in itself is rather contradictory since us humans aren't so strong on love and mercy. But then again maybe that's the point. Maybe the more we picture God as a God of Love and Mercy, the more loving and merciful we become - in His image.

So if you see God as light, see Him as a light of love and mercy. If you see Him as half man half woman, see him as a very loving and merciful half man half woman. If you see him as Cloud and Fire, see him as a Cloud of Love, and a gentle loving fire. And if he's a lion, then a cuddly, loving and merciful lion with the sure ability to be fierce and ruthless when fighting for you - never against you.

Whatever picture you draw, make sure Love and Mercy are the dominant features.

Closing Deals With The Right Sales Strategy 2

‎There are three things that most of us consciously or subconsciously desire on a daily basis;

1. Respect, 2. Understanding, and 3. Care.

In Sales it is vitally important to convey these three traits at all times.

1. Respect
Respect your prospect's views and situation. Don't water down or overlook it. Demonstrate that you listened, and that you respect where they're at. A failure to do this will most definitely lead to an immediate disconnect. Once there's a disconnect, any chance you had of Building Rapport is gone. No Rapport means no chance of a Relationship. No Relationship means No Business.

2. Understanding
A lack of understanding will always lead to a breakdown in communication. Once someone feels you don't understand them, they get frustrated and irritated; and very quickly start to keep their distance from you. Communication is the second most important component of Sales. No Communication means No Sale.

3. Care
Would you do business with someone that doesn't care about you? I don't think so. Failure to Care leads to a Failure to Trust.

Going back to the lady selling facial scrub;

1. She didn't show any respect for my desire to stick to my budget.

2. She failed to try to understand that my cash-flow was tight.

3. She showed very little care or concern for my situation. Worse still, by revealing her irritation she blatantly conveyed to me that all she cared about was getting the sale. Never ever do this. Once a prospect believes that all you care about is the sale he /she will never trust you. No Trust, No Business.

The truth is she was selling a good product. But because she failed to demonstrate Respect, Understanding, and Care there was no way I was going to buy it from her shop. A few days later I searched for, found, and bought the product at another outlet.

Closing Deals With The Right Sales Strategy

On my way to meet a friend at a shopping mall in London a few weeks ago I was approached by a lady selling exfoliating facial scrub. When she invited me to sit down for a demo, I informed her that I had already spent my shopping money the previous day and was now on a strict budget. She replied that she understood, but still wanted me to sample her product. After giving me a demonstration she told me the price - £80. I was actually quite impressed with the product's effectiveness, but had already made up my mind - no spending. So I informed her again that I was on a strict budget and therefore couldn't afford such an unplanned expense. She continued to say she understood but nevertheless persisted in trying to convince me to change my mind. She even reduced the price to £40. Unfortunately for her I had already made up my mind not to spend a penny. After a while she became visibly irritated; at which point, I politely told her that I was running late to meet my friend and had to go. What was right or wrong with her sales strategy?

A Pleasant Experience Leads To More Sales

It could be the simplest thing that enables you to stand out from the rest.

The area in which I stay in the UK( outside London) is predominantly a white neighbourhood - British and Europeans. So I'm sure you can imagine how difficult it was for me to find a good barber - one that understands the black man's hair. So difficult was it that I usually had to head towards London to get my haircut.

About two years ago some young Turkish gentlemen set up a barber shop in the neighbourhood. Hoping that God had taken pity on me and the other handful of black people in town, I decided to give them a go.

Not only did they do a fantastic job of cutting my hair but I got an arm massage and a mini facial in the process - all part of the service. It wasn't so much of a haircut as an experience.

Today, these guys have two barber shops on the high-street - both always full with British, European, and African customers. They've totally cleaned up.

Despite the fact they charge a lot more than the other barber shops in the area, they get three times as many customers as their competitors.

Why?

Because people will always be willing to pay for good service. Getting a haircut at this particular barber shop is like an 'experience' - a very pleasant experience.

The most effective way in which to Stand Out From The Rest is by doing a little extra to make your service not just a provision but a Pleasant Experience. It's also the best way to get people talking about you.

Maje's HIIT Squad

Okay we all know I'm a bit of a running addict. Indeed as far as I'm concerned it's nigh impossible to be much fitter than I am!!!

At least that's what I thought until I did a session with the HIIT Squad.

How do I explain this?
30 minutes of pleasure, fun, hell, excitement, pain, joy, and pure elation. You will feel all aforementioned emotions at different intervals; but the overwhelming emotions that stay with you for several days afterwards are Joy and Elation.

I wanted to give up at least three times. Within 10 minutes of commencing I was so disorientated from exhaustion that I was literally seeing stars. In-fact I'm fairly sure I saw the original Star of David!‎

But somehow Maje kept me going - superb coach!!

A 30 minute session with the HIIT Squad will not only empower you physically but also mentally - it pushed me to boundaries I never thought I was capable of.

If you want to attain a higher level of physical and mental fitness (upping your concentration levels, focus, determination and perseverance) in 2016 then I highly recommend sessions with the HIIT Squad - 14 Adebayo Doherty, Lekki Phase One. 

30 minute sessions commence from 6am, and run until 9am from Mondays to Saturdays;  evenings from 6pm.

Finally, please allow me to pay homage to a man I believe was one of the few True Living Legends of our time.

When one considers David Bowie's gargantuan contribution to the music industry the words that come to mind are 'Musical Genius, Courageous, Innovation, Constantly Evolving, Great, Suave, Authority, Master Entertainer, Fashion Icon, Art, Creative Genius, Iconic Lyricist, New Frontiers, and Leader of His Generation.'

I couldn't help but shed a few tears as I fondly recalled songs such as Ziggy Stardust, China Girl, Oh! You Pretty Things, Ashes to Ashes, Hereos, Let's Dance, and 'Ch ch' Changes.


We will miss you.  Our loss is heaven's gain.

Adieu Ziggy

Thank you for the many many many wonderful songs.

RIP David Bowie
8th January 1947 - 11th January 2016

Increase Sales With Unique Service Offerings

A Very Happy New Year To You

Let's begin with the realities on ground.

1. The economy is at a standstill.

2. Companies are intent on holding on to their money as against spending.

3. The economic outlook for 2016 is gloomy at best.


So in all likelihood many companies/sales people will be chasing the same clientele with the same service offerings.

The key to ensuring they choose you and not your competitors lies in your ability to set yourself apart from the rest.

How?

Two effective ways in which to do this are;

1. Focus more on what prospects / customers need as against offering them what you have, or what you think they need. This means taking the time to do your research via fact-finding meetings.
Listen, Listen again, and Listen some more.

2. As well as delivering what they need, provide a Free Value Added on top.

Absolute Power

Nations have fought for it for centuries, political parties continuously strategise to not only attain but also hold on to it, African leaders have maimed and killed for it time and time again, western leaders, whether they like to admit it or not have committed all manner of atrocities to either maintain or expand it, men and women crave for it, and women are naturally attracted to it (when I asked a female friend what kind of qualities she wants in her ideal man a few days ago one of her expressed desires was 'a man who exudes power -confidence'.)

Power

What exactly is it?

Power as the world knows it comes and goes. It is impossible to hold on to power for ever; absurd to imagine one can be powerful indefinitely.

Or is it?

Imagine for a few seconds that you have direct access to the One that created heaven and earth; direct access to the One that holds the moon, the sun, and all the stars in the palm of His hand; that the One who is sovereign over all things not only holds you dearly but also in the very highest esteem; loves you unconditionally, and has you continuously in mind - not because of anything you've done or can do but because of what His son has already done.

And when I say access I mean direct access - you to Him.

This is who you are.

Power isn't how much you have in the bank. Neither is it how many cars or houses you own, how big your office is, what title you hold, or how many people there are in your congregation. ‎All such things come and go.

A man / woman of power is one that daily walks in the secure knowledge of who he/she is in Christ - a beloved child of the Almighty.

Finally this year be true to yourself - your talents, your strengths, your character, your passion, your career, your likes, and dislikes.

The essence of power is being true to who you are.

My challenge to you this year is to embrace the real and absolute power of who you are in Christ, who he created you to be, and what he created you to do; even if it means going against the norm.

I leave you today with two quotes from two outstanding individuals.

1. "If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?"

Steve Jobs

2. "Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are fools, and the rest of us are in great danger of contagion."

Thornton Wilder