X Factor 2008 Final Alexandra Burke and Determination
The X Factor 2008 final, Alexandra Burke and determination? You might ask exactly what has that got to do with sales management training and development. Well the truth is it is a perfect example of the fact that “the great results we achieve in our life all start with us”
The you tube video above gives a brief snapshot of Alexandra’s story. Have a look at some of the other videos on You tube to see how she has improved each week on X factor 2008.
The top facts are, Alex auditioned in 2005 for the x factor and was rejected at the later stages and told to go away and do some more work.
Now unlike a lot of other people when they are given feedback she actually went away and implemented what she was told.
Believing in herself and what she was capable of, she took action and really put in the work. She went through some dark times as well and yet still kept the faith.
The result was winning on Saturday in front of millions of viewers. In fact over 9 million of them voted for the three finalists. Half way through the night she performed in a duet with Beyonce which was awe inspiring.
Over the weeks you can see her development and how she really worked at her craft. Improving bit by bit across the last few months.
It is easy to think. Yeah but! its different in business. Well the truth is, it isn’t. The greatest impact on our performance is us. We are our own biggest leverage point. That leverage point starts with what we think, how we then respond to our thoughts and the pictures they conjure up for us.
Now, most people don’t really think through this process and what it can mean for them and the results they do or don’t achieve. Let’s break it down.
First off we have a thought. We then have an emotional response to that thought ( yes we all respond emotionally just to different degrees) this then moves us to take actions which then bring us the results.
Lets use an example. We have the thought.
Perhaps it is that you would love( a desire) to play the piano. This conjures up pictures , sound and emotions as you imagine yourself playing the piano. Having a ball and entertaining people. It gives you a good feeling. You start to think about it more and more. You daydream during the day. You start to notice more programmes on the TV with pianists. The paper falls open at an advert for pianos. You strike up a conversation with someone and find out they are a music teacher. Get the picture? I thought you might. This is how it happens, have you noticed?
Now, some people ignore this. Others who have a really strong desire then take some action and sign up for a few piano lessons.
It’s not easy at first and yet they love it. So they keep going. A few months down the line they can play their first tunes.
Now this is how easy it can be. You know in your work place it is exactly the same. You have a desire to be the top sales manager. You start to obsess about it. You have decided that 2009 will be your year. You are now getting really fired up. Lots of ideas are coming your way. Ones you have never had before. You have this picture in your mind of what success looks like for you.
Now here comes the big question. Do you take action? because its the action that will lead to the result.
Let’s go back to Alexandra. She went away in 2005 and practised and practised. While her friends were out ” clubbing” she was singing in local clubs and pubs. She studied great singers. She kept her vision. This is how it works.
So what will 2009 bring for you in business?, the answer is it can bring anything you want.
You just need to be clear about what it is you want to achieve.
Then understand how you can make this happen.
To you and your teams success,
Denise
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Bangkok Airport and Expect The Unexpected?
Bangkok airport for me will now be a great Metaphor about planning for any and every eventuality.
Blog posts have been llight as late as you will have noticed. There have been a number of reasons
for that.
The original holiday to Thailand was increased by well over a week due to the Bangkok airport seige that took place in late November.
It was a great opportunity to live one of our key principles in that anything is possible as long as you have a sense of humor …..and people really are doing the best they can in any given situation. Us included!* Also that visualisation does work quicker than you think.
I am sure we will share the catalogue of events and thoughts they created in future blog posts including;
1. A 12 hour trip from one part of Thailand to the next and the experience of a Thai service station.
2. A broken laptop…fixed in somebodys garage and now better than ever ( don’t judge a book by its cover)
3. Amazing hospitality ( what a difference it can make to your perception of people and countries)
4. How having a sense of humour is important in every aspect of life.
5. Giving the facts as bluntly as possible actually gives clarity ( ” actually your travel insurance does not cover any of your expenses because civil unrest is not included”)
6. People are fascinating and unpredictable.
7. Under promise and over deliver does work
8. Trained professional staff can make a huge difference or not. Please note a certain airline beginning with E… and ending in s.
9. It is easier than you think to damage your brand.
10. Actually being pleasent can make a huge difference
11. Paying more does not always give you better service.
12. Be truthful Period. Especially in front of an irrate audience of 400 stranded passengers.
13. Coming home to cold weather is nice.
14. Always take more money than you think you need.
15. Go with the flow and forget the diet.
16. Have a sense of humour and get over yourself.
17. Take a camera and capture wonderful moments of your life
18. Get a blackberry or iphone. They are the business!!
19. Always let your Mum know you are ok if something is going on within 1000 miles of where you are!
20. …….If it isn’t actually great this is the one time its ok to lie!
21. Thai rapping music can actually grow on you.
22. Mama Mia does get better each time you watch it.
December is a great time for reflection don’t you think? It does not matter if its enforced or on purpose. If this year has not been what you wanted. What might you do differently?
We will have some thoughts and reflections for you next week.
Have a great weekend. Enjoy the Chrismas shopping.
If you live in the UK get home early for the X factor. A great opportunity to see what desire can really do and how well thought out marketing and branding can make a huge difference to your bottome line.
Simon Cowell love or hate him really is a genius.
Take Care
Denisex
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