Choose Your Enemies Wisely

The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on. - Joseph Heller

We are all brought up to believe that we should be friends with everyone. If we have enemies, there must be something wrong with us. Guess what? We all have enemies, we just don't realize it.

One of the definitions of "enemy" is "Something harmful or deadly" - Mirriam-Webster Disctionary

Think for a moment about someone you have met who you quickly distrusted.

Get a very clear picture of that moment when your inner voice said "Careful! This person could hurt you! Proceed with caution. Avoid if possible. Smile and pretend nothing is wrong."

Remember?

That person was not your friend. You knew instinctively that person would bring you down if you got too close, eat up your time and energy and leave you with little or nothing to show. That person was NOT a wise investment for you.

• Recognize the enemy.
  
• Proceed with caution.
  
• Avoid if possible.
  
• Smile and pretend nothing is wrong.
  
• Carry on being who you are and doing what you do best.

Now, if you are like me, you often ignore your inner voice. After all, you would not want anyone to judge you this way without giving you a chance to prove yourself. Here's where most people stall, losing time, energy and ... well, let's face reality ... money.

Recognize that any effort you have already spent on these people is now a "sunk cost".

Whether in business, career, friendship or especially a romantic relationship, it is difficult to face the fact that our efforts have been wasted and the longer we invest our energy into this person, the more of ourselves we will waste. While it may seem cold, successful people master the ability to recognize "sunk costs" quickly and let them go.

If you want everyone to like you, this is a very difficult thing to do. Here's a different perspective I have discovered that works for me:

1. You have your own unique set of VALUES. To be authentic and give your greatest strengths to the world, you must remain true and honour your values in everything you do.
2. If someone distracts you from your true Vision and Mission in life, it is up to YOU to get yourself back on track.
3. If this person shows ANY jealousy or negativity toward your Values, Vision or Mission, this person is an enemy to your future growth, your current productivity and your life's purpose. You owe it to yourself, and all those you can help, to distance yourself from that person, write off the "sunk costs" and move ahead with purpose.
   

You don't know your specific Values? You have not yet created a Vision and a Mission for yourself? This is like heading across the country for a road trip without a map. You may have some great adventures, but:

• you will be distracted by every road sign you see,
  
• you will take longer to make decisions,
  
• you will have more regrets and waste in your life.

If you are tired of being tossed around in life and want to be as effective as possible, take the Values Preference Indicator.

1. Know your top core values and find way to honour them in your life.
   
2. Understand what you de-value (lowest on your list), gauge your reactions to these values and understand that is the same reaction you have to those who place those values at the top of their own list.
   
3. Recognize that there will be people in this life who will not help you but will hinder your growth and direction.

• Recognize the enemy.
  
• Proceed with caution.
  
• Avoid if possible.
  
• Smile and pretend nothing is wrong.
  
• Carry on being who you are and doing what you do best.

You owe it to you!

What's Your 90-Day Plan?

• Are you twisting in the wind?
• Are you reacting instead of acting with intention and purpose?
• Do you sit, exhausted and confused, at the end of your day, wondering what this all means and when it’s going to end?

If you don’t relate to those images, chances are you know someone who does.

It’s hard to plan ahead right now. The world is changing moment to moment. (View this clip“Did You Know?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY) The floor has fallen out from under many of the approaches that have always worked. Even some companies and individuals who have money are cutting back on their spending, postponing plans, and taking a “wait and see” approach to buying items that are already in their budget.

Now is your perfect opportunity!

I know what you’re thinking—"Carol’s on glue!"

Stay with me here.

We are living in a world of No and Not Right Now. Many clients and prospects are stressed and s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d, doing more for less and completely unsure of the future. They say they don’t want to talk right now.

If you leave your clients and prospects alone at this time,
you are making a HUGE mistake!

Your clients actually DO want to talk to you.
They do NOT want to be SOLD and they do NOT want to WASTE your time or their own.

This is a gigantic opportunity to build lasting mutual trust that will pay off for you and your clients in future—and with their referrals, too!

With whom do YOU want to do business?
• People you know, like, and trust.

How do you feel about people who do things like:
• Drop off a card or note of encouragement to you?
• Take a few moments to say “Hi”—personally or by phone or email?
• Clip and email an article or something that is relevant to you and your clients?
• Connect someone to you who can help you or your business?
• Invest a bit of their precious time to let you know they care about YOU—not just the money you spend with them?

Right now, with every other corporation, business, and individual scrambling to focus on sales and marketing to the people who are still spending, you need to create your 90-day Action Plan to:
• retain the clients you already have;
• ensure your prospects stay interested in you for the future;
• establish great word-of-mouth referrals; and
• DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM THE COMPETITION!

You can set yourself apart—as a person or a company that truly cares and is willing to take the time to get to know your clients and prospects.

What happens when you are perceived to be different from everyone else out there?

Price becomes an afterthought.

Clients may try to bring down your price, but they’ll connect with you and be willing to consider your reasons for not dropping your price.

“But I need some contracts and sales RIGHT NOW!” you say.

Okay.

These steps will help you build current AND future business within the next 90 days.

Step 1: Always ask your clients and future clients to refer you to people who need what you have to offer. If you are genuine and your clients and future clients like you and trust you, they will LOVE to recommend your services to someone who can help you succeed. Why? It’s a very nice thing to do and it will lighten their load of nonpurchasers’ guilt.

Step 2: Do a fantastic job of following up with those leads. Make the people who recommended you look like heroes! You will be the first person they call when they are in a position to use what you have to offer!

Remember Carol's Three Customer Building Commandments.

1. Woo thy prospect constantly and genuinely.
2. Love thy customer as thyself.
3. Ask for referrals and ye shall receive.

What’s in your Action Plan for the next 90 days?