Don’t worry, be happy.

(AND OTHER BUSINESS STRATEGIES FROM THE MAN UPSTAIRS)

God, Is it a good idea to talk about business strategy for the next month?

Yes.

That’s really you, God?

Yes, me, God.

Ok, look, if it’s silly to try and hear you at this level…

It’s not silly.

Alright, but let’s say it is, let’s say this is all wrong – I wonder if you could show me somehow? Maybe through the ‘normal’ channels, get one of the people who think I’m deceived to call me up and tell me that they feel God is saying not to try and hear him in such detail etc etc.

You’re not wrong.

Not wrong about what?

About this approach. You need to pursue this approach if that’s what you want.

If what’s what I want?

To hear me at this level. There’s no compulsion, you won’t be in any trouble if you don’t.

What else is there though, God?? If it’s possible to hear you speak, specifically, about business and sales strategy, then what else is there — why go for anything less?

Ok, nice. If that’s how you feel, then of course we feel similarly.

You do?

We do, as you say, what else is there — if Mark is prepared to talk business strategy with us and expect specific, right-now answers and direction, who would want less in their relationship with him? Here is a chance to speak face to face with an actual human, someone who believes he’ll get answers 

Well… ‘believes’ is a bit strong, God. I have a lot of trouble believing this is you, you know that.

Yes of course, but to the extent of your ability at this point, you’re willing to give it a go.

Hah, even that’s a bit strong — if I’m honest I’m trying to make this preamble conversation last as long as possible for fear of having an actual convo about business strategy with you.

Why so?

I’m worried that once we get into it, I’ll either not hear anything from you, which will leave me feeling stupid, or the other concern is hearing stuff that’s miles off the truth, and just plain kooky.

Fear has no profit, and you’re wanting profit, that’s what this is about essentially isn’t it — making profit from your business, am I right?

Well… yes, but is that ok?

It is, it’s one of the key tenets of business, making a profit. If you don’t then your business doesn’t have the strength to carry on. Our aim is certainly not for you to make a loss — large profit is our plan for you.

Ok, cool, well let’s not put it off any longer then, what should we discuss first? Just as a side note, God, I’m realising I could actually publish this conversation, maybe it might help some people, but also thinking that sooner or later we’re going to be talking about things that are private to my business and that I won’t want to share that stuff.

Yes. You’ll know when we get to that point and then you can decide whether to publish our conversation up until that point.

Ok, so what’s the first thing you want to focus on when talking about strategy for my business, specifically for sales?

Sales.

?

The first thing I want to focus on is sales.

You said that?

I did.

It’s kind of obvious though, God. 

And? Am I not allowed to state the obvious?

Well, yes, ok, carry on.

Good. Let’s focus on sales.

Please.

You’re not happy with the level.

No, but I never am. It doesn’t matter whether we’re doing better than we ever have or if the market is quiet, I’m never happy.

Let’s talk about that.

Only if you want to. I don’t want to put you off the track you wanted to discuss.

No, this is good, let’s talk about you never being happy.

Is that bad?

Good and bad. You need a healthy drive for more. The moment that stops you’ll stop. However, you need to STOP worrying about the results that you achieve. Rather than hating your results and driving for more in fear that your current results aren’t good enough, you need to love your current results, adore them, cherish them, think of them as amazing — they’re a start, the first steps. Be pleased with what you’ve achieved, see it as the start of something fantastic, an indication of something much better on its way.

What if current results are far less than normal?

Is that a result of market conditions?

Yes, as far as we can tell.

Yes or no? You have the ability to make that call, back your own judgement on this.

Ok, yes, the current market has dropped results for everyone in our business sector.

Yes. So, given the current conditions, what do you think of the results you have achieved so far.

Good I guess, but not what I got into this business for.

No, of course not, and it won’t be long before you see a marked increase. Not as much as you’re accustomed to, but nevertheless a very, very healthy increase in profit.

And an increase in sales?

Yes.

So, profitability per sale and number of sales will increase?

Yes. Markedly.

Ok, so that’s market conditions we’re talking about — the market is giving us less now, but will give us more shortly?

Yes.

But should we be talking about tactics too, how to get more out of any market?

Yes. But first, back to my first point, which was?

Love my results?

Yes. Hard isn’t it?

Very. I don’t love them at all, not if I’m honest.

No, but you need to. You need to see them as a confidence booster. So, before we get on to how to get more out of the current market, you need to build a foundation in your mind, one that will give you the right confidence for any strategy to increase results from this market.

And the foundation is?

A love of the results you’ve achieved so far.

I’m not convinced, God. It feels more comfortable to be unhappy with results so far and to be pushing harder.

Yes, and that, believe it or not, is a carryover from The Accuser, the one who makes you feel you’re not good enough. He is far more focused on diminishing your confidence in your day to day activities than in tempting you to some sin or another.

He knows that your real sin, if you must use that language, is your lack of belief, both in me and in yourself. If you don’t believe in me and in yourself, you can’t achieve the things that you were born to achieve. And that’s what this is all about, you living your life to the full. Anything less is less than you were born for.

Ok?

Good, now we’re on the same page.

We are?

Yes. This is about confidence, that’s the first key to getting more out of this market, out of any market, and confidence starts with being excited, happy, in love with, head over heels with what you’re achieving now. And then, confident in your ability, and enjoying the market (because you like your results), you will see the opportunities to get more out of this market and any other market you find yourself in.

Confidence is the key to seeing the opportunities that occur situation by situation, client by client, and the bigger, overall opportunities. You’ll begin to see more of them because you’ll be more confident, and you’ll have the confidence to maximise those opportunities. There you go, that’s a good start, more than enough to carry on with. Summarise for me.

Ok, love my results, they’ll build confidence, and, as a result of being more confident I’ll see more opportunities to get more out of this market, both situationally, day by day and bigger, overall opportunities.

Yes. Simple isn’t it. Always keep it simple and focused on the key things 

Like profit and enjoyment?

Yes. Well done.