Let me set the stage for you…
You’ve mustered up the courage to take a different path. Maybe you’re attempting a new skill. Perhaps you’re meeting with a new prospect or client. It could be you’re attempting to do something that involves a higher degree of risk than you are typically accustomed to. One thing is for sure; you’re heading into the unknown and you’re stepping out of your comfort zone! Can you feel the energy and excitement? After all, risk-taking is what keeps us alive.
It’s also what give us heartburn. For the record, it’s called risk-taking because the outcome is uncertain. You don’t know what’s beyond the bend. Sometimes it’s success, and sometimes it’s failure. The rewards far exceed the dangers because both success, and failure, can provide valuable lessons, and help form future strategies that can lead to growth. That said, it’s not the risk-taking that concerns me, it’s the “what if’s” that follow.
The “what if’s” are the nagging, invented scenarios that run through our heads, typically looking to misuse our imagination, exploit the unknowns that go along with risk-taking, and damage our confidence. For some reason, once we get a case of the “what if’s,” logic and reason are pushed aside by negative thoughts that create fear.
For instance, let’s say you’ve stepped up to the plate, and volunteered to give a presentation you’ve never given before in front of an intimidating audience. What often begins as a courageous decision to face the unknown, can soon spiral into a sea of, “what if’s…”
- What if the audience doesn’t like me?
- What if I lose my train of thought when I’m on stage?
- What if the equipment I’m using doesn’t work properly?
- What if I’m asked a question that I don’t know the answer to?
Any of the above could actually happen, but realistically, what are the chances that any of the above actually do happen? Afterall, they are made up. I could debunk them one-by-one if you’d like, but you’ll just come up with more, “what if’s” to replace them if I do. So, rather than telling you these “what if’s” couldn’t happen to you, I’d rather tell you two things: The first thing I’d tell you is that, in fact, there is a tiny chance that they could happen, but the odds are negligible. The second thing I’d tell you is that we could also make up other scenarios, and those scenarios would involve unexpected levels of success, and deep appreciation from others who are impressed with our ability to handle the risks we are taking. Jim McMahon, the former quarterback for the Chicago Bears, once put it this way:
“Yes, risk-taking is inherently failure-prone. Otherwise, it would be called ‘sure-thing-taking.’”
The biggest problem with being scared off by the “what if’s” is that each time you do, you’re more prone to being scared off again. Then it becomes a pattern, and then it overwhelms your decision-making. I can’t promise you that you won’t fail at a task that carries a lot of risk. Failure happens a lot in life. We only have one shot at this thing called life; isn’t the risk taking a big part of the things we remember most fondly? Those around you admire risk-takers. They are impressed with your success, and in awe of how you handle your failures. Let’s keep the “what if’s” in a drawer somewhere, and replace it with a drawer full of phrases like this: “I sure can do it!”
What do you get when combine energy, enthusiasm… and great content? You get a “Pocket Sized Pep Talk!” Tune in and you’ll hear a collection of BLArticles®, conversations, and interviews that are sure to teach, motivate, inspire, and dare I say, entertain! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pocket-sized-pep-talks/id1497772972
I recently appeared on, “It’s Not Rocket Science! Five Questions Over Coffee,” a fun podcast with Stuart Webb. You can listen to the podcast here:
- On Facebook com/INRSFQOC
- On Youtube – https://youtu.be/KJBK0dm-VaU
- On Linkedin – com/posts/stuartwebb_a-sought-after-speaker-and-best-selling-author-activity-6858787689332920320-zhxC
If you are looking for something to listen to on your next coffee break you might enjoy this brief chat between me and Tom Bailey, Founder of Succeed Through Speaking and the Succeed Through Speaking podcast. Listen closely if you would like some high value ideas to boost your business results.
- You can read the transcript here – https://bit.ly/3BOfU7o
- You can watch the podcast here – https://youtu.be/w-QgGvweE2M
- You can listen to the podcast here – https://apple.co/2YVGWuN
I Zoomed my way to India to speak with Motivational Diaries, and Ashish Janiani. We spoke for about 30 minutes about sales processes and training for success.
Sales Process To Sales Success || Interview With Robert Jolles – YouTube
If you want to read some “Life Lessons” I was able to share in a recent interview, you’ll find them here: https://worldclassperformer.com/short-life-lessons-from-robert-jolles/
I had the pleasure of appearing on Robert Miller’s, Follow Your Dream Podcast and thoroughly enjoyed the discussion. We go way back in this conversation to my first memories of performance… at age four! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! https://follow-your-dream.simplecast.com/episodes/rob-jolles-superstar-salesman
I also mixed it up with a wonderful podcaster, Terry McDougall on her Marketing Mambo show. As she puts it, we “Cha-cha-chatted!” If you want to hear sales and marketing go toe-to-toe, you’ll enjoy this show. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1569061/8172686-the-art-of-influence-in-sales-and-marketing-with-rob-jolles
I recently did a podcast with a wonderful, new, and up-and-coming star named Jahmaal Marshall. His podcast is called, “Listen Then Speak.” I’ve done a lot of podcasts, but we got into topics I rarely talk about, and I’m quite sure you’ll enjoy the show! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-then-speak/id1550684472
I’ve appeared on the “Small Business Advocate Show” with Jim Blasingame for almost 20 years now, and you’ll find dozens of our conversations on his website. We just sat down a few weeks ago for a great conversation about selling fundamentals and the strategic use of stories. Here’s a link to over 100 interviews done over the years, including my most recent interview that explores our many behaviors we display that are based more on a default mechanism than actual logic. https://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/small-business-experts/rob-jolles-134
We posted a video series on delivering amazing online presentations with my friend, Jeremy Webb. We go over some great stuff including:
- How to Select the Best Equipment for Online Presentations
- Pro Tips for Sustaining Interest in Online Presentations
- How to Look Like a Pro!
- Public Speaking Anxiety Tip
- Virtual Office Setup for Online Presentations
You’ll find the whole playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO7BsBDl6oL-6ZPW3O01x-g5PiR38ljL
I was recently interviewed on the “Salesman Podcast,” which was a lot of fun. If you’re looking to Change Minds, check out this podcast: https://www.salesman.org/the-simple-step-by-step-process-to-influence-anyone-with-rob-jolles/
I loved talking about the book, Why People Don’t Believe You on a podcast that I’m sure you’ll like called Onward Nation: https://predictiveroi.com/podcasts/rob-jolles/
After 30+ years as a professional speaker and trainer, one of the most common questions I get is this: “How do we make sure the training sticks?” Take a moment and listen to this podcast; “SalesChats” with John Golden. If you want to know why most training fails, listen up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3dDOlTK7U&list=FLxBXKhqz0xBwbUPMqNthAJA&index=2&t=1293s