Is fear holding you back from building your business?

When I was promoted to my first professional position (let's face it, we're all in sales) the thought of meeting new people one-on-one--let alone speaking in front of a group strangers--terrified me. I would walk into the meeting room or the conference room; my heart would pound and the temperature of my hands would fall below the freezing point. I may have appeared confident and professional, but the thoughts running through my mind were “I’m not a sales person! I don’t fit in here! What if say something stupid!”

What was the total price tag I paid for this fear? What did I miss in bonus pay on the business I did NOT attract? It’s hard to say and candidly, I’m not sure I want to know; but I have no doubt the total approached the high 5-figures. Not to mention all the new contacts and friends I could have developed. After all, it’s who you know as much, if not more, than what you know that is important.

Don’t get me wrong; I still have to work at it. But, for someone who could barely gather the courage to walk into a business meeting, I feel I’m now an outgoing business owner, conducting workshops, seminars and speaking. In fact, after I complete this article I’m hopping on a plane headed for France where I’ll speaking about how to master the art of “Making It Happen” to a group of American and British ex-pats living in Paris.

Does fear or shyness hold you back? Does it steal from your profits or keep you from taking that step toward your business dream? There is hope. Just as I am reaching my goals --in spite of my fears and shyness—you can too. I have a lot of ideas to share on this subject, but here are 5 tips to help you get started and break out of your shell:

1. Set & write down goals. What do you want to achieve? By simply taking the time to define your goals and write them down, you join an elite group. Only 1% of the population actually document goals. AND Research shows that, on average, this 1% who DO document their goals earn 10 times more than those who do not. Add a zero to what you’re currently making. That’s a big difference.

2. Before you enter a networking event or gathering, prepare what you'll say in advance. Write down questions you want to be sure and ask. Make notes of the points you want to make. Prepare for a business meeting or networking opportunity as if you're preparing for a speech. That way, even if you’re afraid as you talk, you'll get what you want to say, said.

I do this especially when I’m going to an event and I know someone I want to meet will be there. I make sure I have background on the person and their business, I prepare questions and comments and I know my desired outcome. Most of the time what I want to walk away with is an invitation to send them more information or to give them a call. Remember, networking isn’t a "close the sale" call – it’s networking.

3. Arrive at meetings and appointments early. You know who you want to talk with and you know what you want to ask and say. You’re late and you rush in, out of breath, the room is packed…. Your mind is racing, you completely forget your name, much less the questions you wanted answered…even who it was you wanted to meet.

4. FOLLOW-UP... Referring back to my post of 10/19, you’ve got to follow-up with people you meet. Following up is the main point, so an email is fine. However, a handwritten note is much more effective. It doesn’t take much time, just a few lines-- "Good to meet you this morning / afternoon. I'm excited about your business". Today it’s unusual for someone to send a personal note. More likely, the next time the recipient sees you, they will come to you to talk. That will make your (networking) life so much easier, won’t it?

5. Evaluate what works. As you gain more experience, you’ll notice there are phrases, comments and questions that are more effective than others. Use them… a lot. On the flip side, phrases or actions that seem to get no response, or worse, a negative response, take notice and eliminate them from your repertoire.

Learn from your mistakes. When you take time to assess your approach, you'll position yourself to be more successful in your interactions with people.

The main thing is setting and documenting your goals and Getting Out There. More than likely, a big change won’t happen overnight; but keep at it regularly, one-day-at-a-time. Each time you have a little success you’ll think, `That wasn’t too bad,' and you’ll be inspired to try again. The more success you experience, the more confidence you’ll have. And the more confidence you have, the less fear.

Your success as a business person and an entrepreneur is dependant on how well you communicate. If you allow fear of sales or shyness to control you, don't expect great success in business. Use these 5 tips to break the cycle and reclaim your power.

Until next time – Bold Results start with a Bold Vision! Go out there and Be Bold!

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