As I was growing up, and even to this day, I am very involved in athletics. As a high-schooler and through university I ran varsity track, basketball, baseball and studied martial arts achieving my black belt in Taekwondo. I learned many valuable lessons which have become daily tenets; lessons I use and have passed on to both my children Caitlin and Alex. While in college, my daughter Caitlin, was an amazing lacrosse player, her brother Alex was as well, playing varsity for a major university near Maryland. During their high school careers, they were stellar with their studies, all-the-while playing lacrosse and soccer. As they moved into the collegiate ranks, the competition became, stiffer, stronger, harder, more intense and I’m certain the idea and thought crossed their minds (it did mine) as it does with most athletes…’should I give up and just quit, is it worth it’?
Both my children confided in me and shared their frustrations with the pressure of being a college athlete. In different ways, they both asked, “…Dad, to succeed academically and athletically, what do you recommend we do because we don’t want to quit…” I told them to be “in the game” you need to be three things: be eligible, be coachable and be present. Let me explain my meaning.
There is a massive shift between being in high school and college, the stakes are much higher both on and off the field. When in college the biggest, brightest and best gather – it’s a cornucopia of gathered talent. There are, in many cases, unfair picking and choosing, favoritism, back-stabbing, undercutting and big egos…Humm, much like life, it stinks, but it’s reality! So how does one survive, get ahead, and succeed in this high-pressure environment? First off, understand you can’t dictate what happens, but you can drive and steer your future in a positive direction, that’s up to you, the key is to be aware and open. Sticking with it, going the distance, builds character and no one can take that from you.
Being Eligible ~ being an amazing athlete or salesperson takes work and effort. It’s what do in advance, the study, practice, sweat, effort, every day, every time you show up - things are not just given to you, you must earn it! I told my son, “…remember this…classes first, athletics second’, you are no good to the team, no matter how groovy you think you are if you can’t play, if your grades stink you’re not eligible, you don’t play – and in the end, you hurt the team. You must do everything you can, to be the best off the field and on the field.
What have you done lately to up your game? What have you done to continue to educate yourself in-order-to help lift the team, even if your team is a team of one? Being eligible equates to being reliable. Can your team, your clients, your family rely on you to do the things you need to do to be the very best for them?
Only you know that answer!
Being Coachable ~ there are no natural born athletes, just like there are no natural born salespeople. Behind every successful person – be it athletics or business has a mentor. Stop for a moment to think about those individuals that influenced you during your life, that gave you: life-lessons, guidance, encouragement, a slap in the head, a swift kick in the butt and pat on the back, a reward. Who were the people in your life that influenced you? For me, it was:
My amazing martial arts instructor ~ Grand Master Peter Cha. While in training for the United States Taekwondo Championships, my instructor had me relentlessly do basic kicks and punches that “white belts would do in training; frustrated, he approached me and said, “…don’t be frustrated, I did that for reason, I wanted to teach you a lesson, NEVER forget the basics, in life, the basics will serve you well.”
My high school and college track coaches ~ Joe Harrison and John Wojahowitz that taught me to NEVER give in or give up; and that hard work always pays off in the end.
My industry colleague coaches ~ Glen Holt, Jeff Tobe, Joe Charbaneau, Marvin Spike and many, many others who helped me see that that I have something amazing to share with others – and so do you!
The main thing about being coachable, no matter how good you are or think you are, is to be open to constructive criticism and have the willingness to make changes in-order-to become better. In short, ‘…be open to ALL possibilities…’. During my coaching sessions with Affiliates at iPROMOTEu, I am determined to have them see their incredible talent. It’s stunning to see the success of those that choose to embrace coaching at its fullest. When I say fullest, I mean people that accept the challenge, hold themselves accountable, listen, implement, question, try, engage even through tough times and failures. These people have better sales, higher profits much more success!
Lastly…Being Present ~ I remember back when my daughter started playing lacrosse, she was a walk on in high school and many of her teammates had many, many years of experience. One day she came to me and said ‘dad, the coach isn’t playing me, I’m just thinking of quitting’. I thought for a moment and shared this thought, “Cait, during the games are you present?” ‘What does that mean’, she recounted. “I mean, during the games, when you’re not playing, you’re ‘sitting’ on the bench, not involved, not engaged, not participating…I suggest that during the next game and throughout your rest of your lacrosse career, you stand on the sidelines, cheer for your team, encourage them BUT you do it two steps to the side and one step back from the coach – he moves, you move when he turns to look for someone to go into the game, there you’ll be he will have heard and seen you being engaged, you will have been present.” Ensuing games Cait’s playing time increased dramatically, until after a couple of games she became starting defense and played the balance of her four years in high school and into college as a starter on the varsity squad.
When at your office, whether you own your own business or work for someone, are you present? When you answer the phone, when you’re in a meeting are you prepared, focused, present…’in the game’? When you are, like the coach, notice it and when you’re not, people notice that as well, in fact, not being present shouts the loudest.
My friends, you are amazing! I encourage you to reflect on these words and to pay heed. Do your utmost to be eligible, part of the process, be coachable and open to the possibilities: learn, change, create. Find a solid coach or mentor that can help you navigate the waters and lastly, ALWAYS be in the moment, be present, solidly focusing on the task at hand. Doing these things will greatly enrich you both personally and professionally – your clients, your team and your family will greatly benefit!
As always, continued good selling! Coach Cliff
For more than 30 years, Cliff has been speaking, training and consulting internationally to associations and national business groups on more effective ways to market themselves, their products and services, as well as motivating their personnel. Recognized by PPAI for his creativity, he has won the prestigious PPAI Pyramid award 25 times and the Printing Industry's PSDA’s Peak Award for creativity five times in three years. He has also received PPAI's Ambassador Speaker of the Year Award six consecutive years and was the inaugural recipient of PPAI's Distinguished Service Award. Named one of top six industry speakers and trainers, he also was recognized by PPAI in the book, "PPAI at 100," as having a significant influence in education. He has also been recognized by Counselor Magazine as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in the Promotional Products Industry. You can engage with Cliff at http://www.myengagepage5.com/cliff-quicksell-1associates.