Much of business is about connecting with others. Strong connections lead to trust, rapport, mutual respect, and ultimately, the YES! The YES may be the big sale, new partnership, or anything else that can propel your business.
Of course, reaching that point can be difficult. How many times have you felt nervous or anxious before starting a conversation with someone who could ultimately help your business? It happens to us all.
So how can you be more confident to sell your business to clients you know would benefit?
Ever think about meditation?
Before you start rolling your eyes and thinking I’m talking all woo-woo, let me explain…
Your thoughts create your reality. What you think before that big sales call or important meeting can actually create a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think you will fail…well…you may actually fail.
Take a few moments to reflect on the thoughts running through your mind before you had an important meeting. Did it sound anything like this?
- I hope I don’t screw this up.
- They will never buy what I’m selling.
- Can I really do this?
- What if I say the wrong thing?
- They will never believe me.
- What if I stumble on my words?
- This is a big deal…am I ready?
- What’s going to happen if I mess this up?
- I’ve failed before…it may happen again.
Sound Familiar? Let Me Help
When faced with stressful situations–like selling your business to a client–your thoughts may be screaming at you. Negative thoughts can distract you from everything positive about your business and all it has to offer.
Deep down you know you can provide the services, but the anxiety seems to take over.
A simple meditation–just about five minutes of your time–can clear your headspace and create a mindset of confidence and success.
Essentially, you are overriding the chatter in your mind and re-centering yourself so you can achieve those YES moments with your clients.
It doesn’t take much. A comfortable chair. Shutting off any distractions. Simply being with yourself for a few calming minutes.
Sounds easy? It certainly can be. Meditation does, however, take a little practice. The mental chatter can be a real distraction for newbie meditators. The more you do it, the more you realize the thoughts and emotions that sometimes consume are just passing through you.
In fact, once you identify your negative self-talk, you can acknowledge it and then let it pass into oblivion. From there, you can open yourself to a mindset of success.
How Do I Meditate?
You don’t need to light candles or sit in strange positions. You can even do it at your desk. Just try to avoid any distractions–they only make more chatter for your mind.
Once you are in a comfortable place, taking a few deep breaths helps calm the mind and body by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Once activated, it slows breathing and helps you enter into a relaxed state where you can feel calm, focused, and open to new–more positive–thoughts.
There are countless ways to meditate. One very effective way is using affirmations or mantras. These are short phrases you repeat during a meditative state. They can help push out the anxious chatter in your mind and allow you to focus on a goal.
Want to make mantras more effective? Feel the effects of the mantra as you say them in your head or out loud. For example, if you repeat a mantra like, “Money flows easily to me,” try to imagine it with all your senses.
In your minds’ eye, see your bank statements brimming with profit. Hear someone say, “You are now debt free.” Taste your favorite meal as a celebration for your successes. Feel the positive emotions throughout your body after finally closing that big deal.
Repeating and really feeling those mantras gets your subconscious mind to start thinking and problem-solving so you can achieve these sensations in real life. Remember: your thoughts are your reality. Your subconscious is more than willing to help. You may just need to give it a little positive motivation. In time, you will see you can make more intuitive decisions and put yourself in circumstances that lead to your success.
What Kind of Mantras Should I Use?
A mantra can be any short phrase that resonates with you. Of course, those just dabbling in meditation may have no idea where to begin.
My Favorite Hanna-isms You May Find Helpful:
- People love working with me
- I show up for raving fans
- I decide my vibe
- My dream life is my real life
- I follow joy
- My value is obvious
- I’m not anxious…I’m excited!
- My ideal clients are lining up
- These people need me
- If not me, who will do this work?
- This is exactly what I asked for
- I am a treasure hunter
- People who pay…pay attention
- People are waiting for me
- Risk is good
Start by picking a single mantra. One that really jumps out at you. Don’t worry if it is the right or wrong mantra–whatever you pick is exactly what you need at the moment.
The best part: these mantras are effective even when you are not meditating. Anytime you catch your mind wandering to the anxious or negative, simply take a deep breath, close your eyes, and say the mantras a few times.
Why?
It helps to reset your thought patterns. Ever have a time when your laptop was acting strange and you didn’t know what to do? So you hit the restart button and things seemed to–almost magically–clear up. Repeating and focusing on mantras is kind of like a mental restart button.
Of course, regularly practicing meditation allows you to become more aware of when thoughts are affecting you. Sometimes, in the heat of a stressful moment, we don’t even realize how consuming thoughts and emotions are to our body, mind, and soul.
Why Not Give It A Try?
Have five minutes? Ready to put yourself in a better mental place right now? Give it a try. And when you get a little nervous or worried about your next meeting and sales call, you have extra practice getting into the right mindset.
Check out my Guided Sales Mediation. It’s totally free, and who knows how much money it will help you make in the future.
I look forward to hearing your success stories.