How are you seen and how does it affect your life, relationships, business, job, etc.?

Over the holidays I spent a great deal of time looking at the unemployment situation, and noticed how many people are sending resumes out to just about anyone. What I discovered was the dreaded 4 letter word “Sell”. What is the resume designed to do? Sell! The resume is a vehicle designed to help job seekers sell themselves. This in turn got me thinking… how does this affect me and my business?

In every aspect of our lives, we are salesmen. If single and looking for that perfect partner what does everyone have in common? They become very aware of their looks, how they act, in other words, they are on their best behavior, or we hope they are. We will dress to the nines, we will help others, and we look for like minded people; we are out to sell ourselves and part of that process is being able to “sincerely” describe ourselves when asked. Of course there are acceptations to the rule, but to be successful in anything, and the operative word is successful, we have to be good at “Selling Ourselves”!

This principle applies to every aspect of our lives no matter if we are working for someone or looking for a job, girlfriend, or boyfriend; we are constantly selling. This especially holds true for business owners however it is significantly more complex and magnified.

Not only is the business owner selling themselves, but their products, services, and their entire business. The goal is to ensure the right message is being sent and received by consumers, clients, customers, friends, family, etc. Referrals are important and in today’s viral environment the word can spread fast through social media channels. But caution, it can be a double edge sword. I love to buy but I hate to be sold; and if I hate to be sold so does everyone else yet I will be the first to admit it can be difficult not to come across like a salesman.

So what’s the recommendation? While watching “Pay it Forward” I had an epiphany, all of a sudden I recalled my true passion which is helping people. The focus was never on me but on others. Acquaintances turned into friendships because I listened to them and whenever I could I would help them. I never really gave it much thought, but by helping others, and not asking for anything in return, friendships occurred and when I found myself needing something or having a challenge, all of a sudden I found myself being helped.

There used to be a time in the past where we saw more people helping people. What happened? It seems many more people today have a me, me, me mentality where they believe they are “entitled” and as a result, more and more people rely on others rather than themselves to solve their problem. In order to make things better for ourselves and our nation, we must help others improve their lives. Consider this, in order to:

1. Get a good job one must sell – themselves as an asset to the company
2. Find that right person one must – sell themselves as the ideal partner willing to give, not take
3. Become successful in business one must – be able to provide a solution to a problem or a need.

To go one step further, being an asset in #1 can also be applied to #2 & 3, the same for being the ideal partner and in providing solutions. They can be applied in all three examples. So, how are you seen in the eyes of others, and what are they saying about you, your business, and your life? Cheryl handed me “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale to re-read. I highly recommend everyone read and re-read this powerful and inspirational book. I guarantee it will lift you up and help everyone in their quest for stronger relationships, better job, more successful business, and a more fulfilling life. Go to Proven positive thinking principles show you how to change your thinking and change your life for a free eBook.

You may not think you are in the selling business, but everyone is however, it’s not selling if you're focused on helping someone identify a solution to their problem, challenge, or even need. Helping others not only helps you, it helps our economy and it helps our country. Don’t ask someone else to do it for you.