A recent blog post entitled “Six Keys to Being Excellent at Anything” on HBR by Tony Schwartz really caught my eye. Mr. Schwartz points to research which dispels the myth that certain people are gifted for certain things and that’s that.
Here’s a quote from the post:
“I’ve accepted the incredibly durable myth that some people are born with special talents and gifts, and that the potential to truly excel in any given pursuit is largely determined by our genetic inheritance. “
This turns out not to be true. There are things that you can do to excel.
He are Schwartz’s six keys:
- Pursue what you love
- Do the hardest work first
- Practice intensely
- Seek expect feedback in intermittent doses
- Take regular renewal breaks
- Ritualize practice
This blog post revealed to me that anyone can excel. If you want to be a better salesperson, you can do it.
I was the salesperson for the first company I started. I sold digital marketing to real estate professionals. I would say that I’m not a naturally gifted salesperson. My personality type is more of an introvert than an extrovert. However, within 6 months, I had sold a system to the top 10 real estate agencies in Rhode Island. How do I do it? I practiced. I had scripts. I asked one of the best salesperson I knew for his feedback. I started each day with cold calling (the hardest work first).
The fact is, you can improve and excel at whatever you do. It all comes down to how much you want it. Are you teachable and willing to change? Can you discipline yourself to do the things you must do instead of the things you want to do? It’s all up to you.