How To Stop The Freak Out!

“Julie, I’m freaking out!” is something I hear regularly from my clients especially when they are stepping into sales mode or presenting mode. 

The spotlight is on them, perspiration is beading on their foreheads, their palms are sweaty, their pulse could win the Grand Prix at the rate it is going and they are wishing the earth would open up and swallow them.

Yes Houston, we definitely have a problem!

As an entrepreneur, the ability to sell and present are critical factors when it comes to building a successful business.

As John C. Maxwell states “Everyone is an influencer of other people. If your life in any way connects with other people, you are an influencer.”  

You see, the ability to move others is a critical component of almost every aspect of an entrepreneur’s life. Yet convincing someone to do something can be terrifying.

And there are two main reasons why entrepreneurs find it hard to persuade…either they haven’t learned the necessary skills or they have fears that hamper their efforts. Or both.

Out of these two reasons, fear is the most damaging.

It paralyses you. It keeps you from doing what you really want to do, from achieving what you really want in your business and in life.

I call these fears ‘the crazy monkeys that are on your bus’. You’re going to have them and it’s good to acknowledge that fact but it’s where you let them sit on your bus that counts. And you certainly don’t want them driving the bus!

So how do we overcome these fears (or relegate the crazy monkeys to the back of the bus)?

The good news is regardless of what fear you have, whether it is:

·        Fear of being too pushy

·        Fear of rejection

·        Fear of feeling foolish

·        Fear that your hair doesn’t look good or your fly isn’t done up

Or any of the common garden variety of crazy monkeys that are jumping around in your cerebral cortex, there is a simple, yet extremely effective solution to help you overcome them.

And it comes down to Inward verses Outward thinking.

Inward Thinking – Where The Freak Out Happens

Whenever you find your thoughts are centred around YOU, your self-doubts, concerns, fears or anxieties, then you are in the INWARD thinking mode.  This mindset is blind to what others need. You’re consciously weighing risks, analysing the situation and basing your actions on preconceived judgments which usually result in hesitation and fear.

It’s a scary place to be and those crazy monkeys in your head can quickly grow into rampaging Silverback Gorillas if left unchecked.

Sales or presenting are known triggers for starting a band of raging gorillas in your head. 

When you feel this happening, stop and take a few deep breaths. 

You’re going to turn this around and regain your composure and confidence and it can be done in just a few seconds.

Outward Thinking – Where Confidence & Calm Resides

The moment that you focus on something or someone else is the moment in which your fears and anxieties will start to fall away and incredible things start to happen.  

An outward thinking mindset seeks to be helpful, responsible and make a real impact.

Gently remind yourself that your client, prospect or audience are looking for answers and help. They need you to serve them and when you move into a service-based mindset the mental game you’ve been playing with yourself changes.

Focus on helping them. Be of service. 

The gorillas will return to being monkeys, and yes, the monkeys will still probably be on your bus and that’s totally okay…but now you have the strength to tell them to get up the back, take a seat and buckle up because you’ve got this!

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 Julie Mason is a passionate LinkedIn expert and specializes in creating strategies that promote your brand, enhance your reputation and generate big money leads for your business.

Founder of Linked Sales Formula, a comprehensive and supportive online training program that helps you generate leads and sales through LinkedIn easily and elegantly.