Tweet

Your Initial reaction - is it valid or fair

Written by: Ian Keightley

Article Overview: Sometimes we react with a habitual response. In testing times this can be both unfair and/or invalid. Learn to test you reactions before you pass the messag on.

Your Initial reaction - is it valid or fair

©Copyright 2009 Ian Keightley. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward and distribute but copyright is retained.
Hi and welcome to Ian Keightley's Weekly Insight for Monday 19th January 2009
Is your initial reaction valid or even fair?
One of the greatest outcomes of a great holiday is the time to reflect. Time to think is a real bonus as many people today are in such a hurry and often decisions or reactions to opportunities are made based on past experiences, current stress levels, current knowledge and present motivation.
What we then see are decisions made in haste, based on previous reactions to the same type of idea, behaviour or suggestion. Or decisions made, based on what was approved of, or ignored last time. But at least a decision was made. Holidays give you time to reconsider some of those decisons or as to how you come to those decisions. What fun watching familes cope with a "Working dad" being present all the time. Watching frustrated drivers, parents, surfers, boaties etc all respond to situations that tested them, demanding a reaction. And on some occasions the reactions were memorable. One was so good I only remember the reaction - not the point being made.
Time at the beach and driving in the holiday traffic, watching people at play, provides some great insights that may help our work habits.
It got me thinking. In a market that tests us all, are we reacting in ways from the past? Are these reactions still relevant?
We hear it all the time:
"Heard that before."
"That won't work in our town."
"I thought we tried that ONCE."
"I couldn't do that."
"Our town is too small."
"My vendors won't take any less than$XXXXXXX."
"My buyers won't pay that."
"I don't need any training. It's all the same old stuff."
"My buyers won't buy at Auction."
"My sellers won't pay for marketing."
"There's just no buyers."
We could write a book of such negative clap-trap, but what would it achieve? These are simply remembered reactions that you are in danger of allowing to become beliefs as they are continually trotted out in response to challenges to suceed in this market. The danger is you start to agree with such statements because everyone says it and it supports those who have sold nothing lately.
Dear me, let's move on from such habitual reactions.
Next time someone asks you for advice, next time someone suggests an idea or strategy, a new dialogue, cut your initial reaction off in the first quarter of a second. STOP right now.
Step out of the situation and ask yourself, "Am I giving the idea a fair go? Is my reaction a habit.? Is there some value here for ME? Am I doing the same old thing?"
If you would like to do better, make more sales, feel better about you, your job and the market, could it be your habitual reactions that are in the way?
Quote of the Week
"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Related Articles
  Does Brand Strategy Take The Freedom Out Of Running Your Business?
  Profile of an Effective Manager
  Is Life Fair?
  How Can I Make Decisions Faster
  Four Ways to Handle the "I'm too busy" Brush Off

Article Tags: auction, clap, dad, dang, decisions, decisons, haste, holiday traffic, holidays, hurry, initial reaction, insight, insights, last time, motivation, occasions, old stuff, stress levels, surfers, work habits



Related Forum Posts
Should I hire an editor or an agency? - It's hard for me to say what a fair cost will be for your job, but if you say "full time position" and "looking for quality" you should expect to pay a fair dollar value and also be entitled to professional and polished content that you shouldn't have to re-edit, re-write or be otherwise concerned about.
Three Legged Handyman - Help or Hindrance? - Hello, My husband is starting a handyman business and he's chosen the name "Three Legged Handyman". Now most peoples reaction to this is "What does that mean?" with a smirk. My husband is from the Isle of Man where the national flag is a picture of three legs and to the Manx people it means "Which ever way you shall throw me, I shall stand." He is now questioning this name as everyone he tells always has an initial reaction that it implies something else. He is seriously considering changing the name, after already having business cards, flyers & shirts made up. What's great about this name, besides the fact that it's part of my husbands heritage and he's a very proud Manx man, is that people remember it and it does make people smile (in an odd sort of way). So my question is do you think a name like this will help or hinder his business?
Re: The 4 Politically Incorrect Lessons of Successful Business W - [quote="litekepr":2jhw61h8] The path to success in business is not always pretty, appealing, exciting or politically correct. The price of success can be much different for a man than a woman. As much as you might want to change the world overnight to make everything fair and equal, history has proven that it’s not going to happen overnight. Being successful in business is determined by how well you understand the marketplace, your competitors in the marketplace and how you can execute to win in the marketplace. These principles are true, whether you are a man or a woman. When a woman understands and applies these principles, she has the tools she needs to be successful in any marketplace. [/quote:2jhw61h8] Interesting article Shri, there are some very valid points in there but the one I agree with most is in the summing up. Whether you are a man or a woman determination and focus are two of the most important factors that are going to make a difference and ensure that you succeed. Take care, Carol
Re: Review My: e-product sales letter - Hi Evan, I just came across your forum and your request for a review. I'm don't write copy full time, but I have written copy for Tom Antion and Bill Brooks. After skimming your letter, here are a few things you might want to consider (overall, a good job) 1) Eliminate the "buy now" message and button at the top: a very small percentage of visitors will be ready to buy at that point. I think it risks coming across to the majority of the visitors as a salesman way too eager to close a deal. 2) The testimonials on top of page without names are meaningless. You have great testimonials, use one of them starting out, maybe the one by Laplanche. 3) Bonus 1 & 4: My first reaction was "why would I want to see a business plan from another era? Give a reason as to why they are still relevant in todays marketplace. 4) I LOVE your guarantee, I've never seen it before: "This better work..." I only had five minutes to read the sales letter and then get my reaction to you, just didn't have more time for now. Alan
Re: Who Did You Learn Most From and Why? - Hi Martin, You missed out on the most essential community that helps you grow - Your Clients. Well, I believe that my Initial Clients have been the ones who have given me the moments of 'aha' in my business. They have stood by me even when I was a starter and that has helped me shape and build my stand. They have helped me grow as an entrepreneur, learn to have loads of patience and make the most of what comes across. They have also helped me to strengthen me as a person. btw, personally speaking, my Grandfather always kept me on track and lent me emotional support when I was down in any matter - be it business or otherwise.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

LISTENING SKILLS IN COACHING

How To Calculate A Minimum Fee For Your Services

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.