Jimmy Buffet once sang a tune that suggested that one’s attitude could be adjusted with a simple change of environment. His exact phraseology was: These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes. Nothing remains quite the same. Through all of the islands and all of the highlands, if we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.
Focusing on the word attitude, I began to reflect on how some (if not many) travel professionals tend to shy away from the activities associated with selling.
While pondering the often negative feelings attached to the notion of selling, I began to examine this negative self-talk. Is it possible to change one’s attitude without leaving town when it comes to growing one’s business?
A recent dream of mine featured my father who was a dyed-in-the-wool salesman. He was not aggressive, manipulative, sleazy, dishonest, ethics-deprived, and he didn’t have the gift of gab. As far as I know, he never tried to sell ice to Eskimos and as I recall, he used to whistle a lot. He cherished his relationships with his fellow sales professionals as well as his clients. In short, he loved his work.
I think one of the underlying reasons for his upbeat attitude, while residing in the tumultuous state of New Jersey, was he knew all he was trying to do was to help people. And that, by its very definition, is a fun and stress-free way to meander through life.
As Mr. Buffet once reminded us, lying on a sun-drenched beach, a Pina Colada in hand and the sound of the waves lapping up against the shore can alter our thought process. (I have visions of Palm Trees swaying down in the Caribbean as I write this article. But I digress.) But relocation is not necessary to begin enjoying the moment once you come to grips with the fact that all you are trying to do is help people.
Perhaps it is time to adjust your thinking a tad. Your work simply involves removing the uncertainty from stressful lives by being (1) trustworthy, (2) knowledgeable, and (3) available on demand when it comes to vacation planning.
Once you begin wrapping your head around this admirable mission statement, you just might find yourself becoming more effective while finding the urge to whistle a little more.
Don’t ever sell “Attitude” short.
Mike Marchev is always looking for a few more proactive travel professionals to join his Sales and Marketing Club, mike@mikemarchev.com.
*** You want more to think about? Check out my weekly podcast (Miked Up Marchev). Also listed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and iHeartRadio.
