I just got my Guideposts magazine.  I’m not a big magazine reader, and those I do read, usually have inspirational messages throughout them.  One of my favorite features in Guideposts is called “The Up Side.”  This section is filled with quotes from the known and the unknown.  There are two this month that really hit me between the eyes, and just shouted to be included in a post because they have so much to do with direct sales - and life in general.

One is from Anne Hathaway, actress, who says:“I used to worry to much, take myself too seriously.  I had to learn that perfectionism slows everything down.  All it does is keep you motivated by fear.”  

Isn’t that true?  How many times have we not even mentioned recruiting because we thought we didn’t know enough to recruit?  How many times have we not gotten on the phone because we might not know what to say?  How many times have we thought we needed to have the “right” words, the “right” game, the “right” approach instead of trusting ourselves, our training, and our company?  How many times have we not been successful because we were motivated by fear?

So often we become frozen in fear and because we allow fear to overtake us we don’t get the bookings, the recruits or the higher sales.  We’re afraid we won’t be perfect so instead of doing something we end up doing nothing.

Perfectionism doesn’t work.  All it does is slow us down.  For some of us, it stops us in our tracks.  If you wait until your perfect before you recruit someone you’ll wait forever.  If you wait for the “right” words or the “right” anything, you’ll wait forever.  My friend and mentor, Mike Litman says, “You don’t have to get it right.  You just have to get it going.”  What can you do today to get your business going?

The second quote I want to share with you today is:

“The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance.  Remember, the greatest failure is to not try.  Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it.” - Debbi Fields, who, as a young housewife with no business experience, started a small cookie shop, which went on to become the world-famous chain Mrs. Fields.  

Life is full of chances - we just don’t look at them that way.  When we were kids we took the chance to learn to ride a bike.  What childhood freedoms would we have not experienced if we had not taken the chance of falling off the bike?  We took the chance to go on a date, fall in love, get married, start a family.  What would be missing from our lives today had we not gone on that first date?  Aren’t all of those things taking a chance?  Didn’t they all change our lives?

Take the chance to ask that person you’re a little intimidated of to book a show.  Take the chance to talk about your business.  Take the chance to bring up the idea of recruiting.  Take the chance of showing your highest priced items.  What’s the worst thing that could happen?  They could say no.  

If they say no what changes in your life?  Does your husband still love you if someone says no to you?  Do your kids still need you if someone says no to you?  Will your parents disown you if someone says no to you?  Will your house fall down around you……..  

But oh my!  What will happen if we take the chance and they say “yes!”  Will our business grow?  Will we discover that we can do “it” even though we aren’t all that comfortable?  Will we be willing to take the chance again?  Will it become easier the next time?

Stop trying to be perfect.  Perfect doesn’t work!  Don’t be afraid to take a chance!  

If you’d like to use the articles found at booksellrecruit.com feel free to do so.  They are designed to help you and your team.  You may print and share the articles, so long as the copyright and link info remains the same with the following”  ”Reprinted with permission from Ruth Fuersten at http://www.booksellrecruit.com