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From the Tennis Courts…Another Lesson in Life
| Guest post by: Barry Roberts |
Article Overview: When the wind kicks up, an unexpected gust can be like another player on the court. A good tennis player knows how to deal with this unexpected, unwelcome situation. In business and in life there are frequent unexpected and unwelcome circumstances that we must learn to cope with and handle successfully.
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Free Download - Adventures in Customer Service By Barry Roberts |
From the Tennis Courts…Another Lesson in Life
I just got back from playing tennis (I mentioned previously that I
play tennis 4 – 5 times per week) and it was rather windy. In fact, it
was so windy; it was as though the wind was an uninvited, unexpected
fifth player on the court. Playing outdoors, you cannot get rid of the
wind so, you just deal with it.
There’s a nice little rally going on, your opponent hits you a really
nice shot, not too difficult to return. You get your racquet back, take
a few steps towards the ball, turn on it to swing and a gust of wind
kicks in! Suddenly the ball is not where you expected it to be…what to
do? You make some quick adjustments to your footing, alter your swing a
bit, curse under your breath and go for it. The one thing you don’t ever
do is give up on it! Just like in life. How often might the unexpected
get in your way?
You’re out driving on a beautiful, crisp autumn day. You know the
route and you’ve not a care in the world. As you turn around a bend in
the road, suddenly in front of you, there’s a huge branch that has
fallen from a tree during the night. What to do? You make some quick
adjustments to you footing, from the gas to the brake, alter your swing a
bit by turning that steering wheel, curse under your breath and avoid
that branch!
Perhaps you’re out on a sales call and although you’re very well
prepared, during your opening conversation you unexpectedly find out
some information that alerts you to the fact that your prospect is not
going to appreciate your pitch. What to do? You make some quick
adjustments to your “footing” by digging deep into your experience and
knowledge base, you alter your swing by finding a new approach to get
you where you want to go with the client, curse under your breath and go
for it. The one thing you don’t ever do is give up on it! Just like in
tennis.
To quote my good friend and speaker extraordinaire, Gil Eagles,
“Guess what? Now what?” In other words, when life’s unexpected events
get in the way or interfere with your plans…Guess what? It’s life, it’s
real and yes, it’s actually happening! Now what? Now you call upon your
past experiences, your knowledge and the resources at hand to make some
adjustments and do what you must, to make the best of the situation.
Of course, there are the obstacles we know about in advance. When I
am aware of the wind on the tennis courts and I toss the ball up to
serve, I know what the wind will do to my toss and so I make adjustments
in advance. When I know there has been a rain storm and I’m out in the
car, I drive more carefully, extra alert for wet leaves and fallen
branches. If I’ve done my research on a prospect and I am familiar with
his or her likes and dislikes I have a much better shot at closing the
sale.
In tennis and in life; be prepared for the known and unknown; avoid
the stress, in fact, learn to Practice Safe Stress.
Have Fun & Good Luck Out There!
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Article Tags: circumstances, gust, sales, self improvement, tennis player
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