It’s that time again. The start of a new year, and a new quarter when many of us are executing on the plan to have a successful 2019. It’s also the time when we often see ‘that’ person.
You know the one; we all do. That person who’s looking for the quick fix, the magic pill, that top tip, the one thing that will solve all problems, “cure-all” super-food (I could go on…). Essentially, they’re looking for the shortcut.
Maybe you are one. That's okay. If you are, or expect one for your team, read on.
Don’t get me wrong, the idea of a shortcut is a great one.
When we were kids and had to walk to school or to a friend’s house, knowledge of a shortcut elevated your status and made the journey a bit more fun. For those subject to the urban commute, knowing what back roads to take to avoid traffic is significant. I’m sure that’s one of the reasons why Waze has had so much success.
Aside from these situations, experience has taught me to better understand shortcuts, or the concept of shortcuts.
There are so many industries that seem to be overloaded with shortcuts and empty promises; health and fitness, real estate, investments, marketing, and yes, even my industry - sales.
Remember Atkins, raw food and Paleo diets? How about the pills that were meant to boost energy as a means of losing weight? And don’t get me started on the “Shake Weight”, “Shape Ups” shoes, and the “Thigh Master”.
I am far from an expert in marketing, but why do I constantly see headlines that read “Top 3 Strategies That You MUST do…” to get an instant and lasting result in a social media campaign, email communication, or with website content?
The same goes for sales. “Attend this 1-day workshop and become a top performer” or “Register for this webinar to unlock the secrets of making the sale”.
They all have one thing in common – they’re a shortcut.
I feel like we think that every shortcut is going to be like the one we had as kids. We want the quick fix. We want the low risk, high yield investment of time, money or energy. Shortcuts may be great in geography, but when it comes to human behaviour, it doesn’t work that way.
Don’t get me wrong, taking the shortcut will get you certain results, but are they the results you had envisioned? Are they the results that will bring you the long-term success you sought out? Usually they are not. As a result, we return to our comfort zone. The space that feels warm, fuzzy, and safe. It also happens to be the space that got you the results you were trying to change in the first place.
Apologies to those who were looking for the shortcut here. There are no fancy diets, no magic pills, no get rich quick schemes, and no “tell-all” books that will get you the significant and sustainable results you’re looking for.
It has been proven time and time again, that the only way to have long-term, sustainable, and successful results is to expand your comfort zone, follow a system, commit to completing the necessary behaviours, have a mechanism of reinforcement and accountability, enlist the support of your team, and to do all of that consistently.
I feel like it’s time to get rid of the shortcuts. For ourselves and those around us. Don’t you?
If you’re frustrated with the empty results of shortcuts and are driven to do the work that brings about change, ask Stephanie about taking the first steps.
Stephanie is the owner of Clydesdale Performance Management and a former Sandler student who has come back into the Sandler Network, driven by a passion to help others sell, deliver exceptional customer service and excel as leaders.
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