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Who's Motivating You?

By
Education & Training

I had a breakfast meeting today with a new friend who is a "sales coach."  He joked that what he does is like being a personal trainer- Instead of yelling "one more rep", he exhorts his clients to make "one more call!"  It seems that most of his clients are business owners or otherwise self-employed.  One of the main reasons they hire him is to be accountable to someone other than themselves.  Without a boss looking over their shoulder, they have found they lack motivation- so they pay my friend to look over their shoulder for them!

Judging by how well-connected he is, he is very good at what he does.  I just find it interesting how we can:

1) Lack motivation to be successful without prompting; but

2) Have the motivation to hire someone to prompt us in order to be successful.

I would think that if we have the motivation for # 2, we ought to be able to stop at # 1.  And yet, that apparently isn't the case.  Is it part of the psychology of sales, self-improvement, or just being human?  Probably a combination thereof...

I decided I'm too self-reliant to need other people to "push" me, but then I thought about my own motivations: I'm motivated to develop business for Stewart Title because I believe in the company, enjoy my work, take pride in what I do... and because I have a wife with house remodelling projects on her mind and two daughters who need braces and want to go to college.  So, I guess I'm like everyone else after all- It's just that my "sales coaches" are at home instead of the office!

Sham Pathania
SAVE MAX FIRST CHOICE REAL ESTATE INC. - Mississauga, ON

The best time we can get motivated is when we get commission cheque !

Dec 20, 2011 05:56 AM
Andrew Capelli
Troy, MI

Sham: That is a powerful motivator, I agree!

Dec 20, 2011 06:06 AM
Lisa Monti
Houston, TX

....or NEED a commission check!

Dec 20, 2011 06:15 AM
Marge Piwowarski
Phoenix AZ Horse Property - Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix AZ Horse Property, LLC

I do look to outside sources for inspiration but I have always been self motivated.  The "rah, rah, go get 'em" coaches and speeches are NOT for me. 

Dec 20, 2011 06:30 AM
Andrew Capelli
Troy, MI

Lisa: True!

Marge: I understand- You may be in the minority, though :)

Dec 20, 2011 06:47 AM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Andrew, thank you.

Dec 21, 2011 12:35 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I can use help of a trainer  to yell one more rep. Hopefully I will keep my New Year Resolution in 2012.

Dec 21, 2011 05:55 AM
Andrew Capelli
Troy, MI

Joshua: You're welcome, and thank you for checking my blog out, as well!

Gita: I'm sure you'll do fine, but I will still wish you luck!  :)

Dec 21, 2011 07:07 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year - all the best for 2012!

Jan 01, 2012 03:43 AM
Andrew Capelli
Troy, MI

Thanks, Debra- you too!  :)

Jan 03, 2012 05:20 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Good points Andrew, I am impressed that people would pay someone to do this for them, I am sure that these coaches must offer more than your friend describes to make them worth the money.

Jan 07, 2013 02:01 PM
Marshall Enterprises
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Antiques, Lawn Care, and Trashouts

Hey Andrew Ron Marshall sent me over.....are you going to blog again?

Jan 12, 2013 04:52 AM