239. Overcoming Fears Opens Doors to Human Connection and Successes

Robert wanted to be in the music industry, so he set his sights on Nashville, Tennessee, by way of a recording industry management program at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. “The people I saw in the business were really having a tough time making a go of it,” he says, so he decided to sell phones door-to-door. “I wasn’t really drawn to it. It was definitely outside my comfort zone. But a friend told me I’d get paid to go to training. So, a little bit of desperation will make you do things you might not normally do!”

“I was very lucky in sales in that I had a couple of good wins right away. A lot of people try sales a couple of days. If they don’t have immediate success, they think sales is awful and that they’re not good at it.” Even though he was shy, Robert said, “I discovered I really love just connecting with another human who was a total stranger, to get them to open up, talk to me, invite me in, and offer me sweet tea. It gave me a newfound respect for people. I’m a believer that just about anybody can be good at selling, if they can be a good listener. It just takes some a little bit longer than others.”

“A lot of people don’t force themselves into change, until something happens. They lose a job or have a loved one pass away. Something slaps us in the face, and we say, ‘Gosh, what have I been doing? I’ve been running on autopilot!’ But sometimes it can be a decision that you make, when you say, ‘Listen, I’m going to change and be better at life, and at taking ownership of my circumstances.’ It’s different for everyone, but we all have these reflection points in our lives.”

1. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone.

2. Practice being a good listener.

3. Face your fears.

4. Don’t be afraid to interrupt or talk to a stranger.