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