Almost anyone who’s been in some type of sales has heard of or used Albert Einstein’s quote: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” So where do you stand as far as what Einstein said? Well you’re definitely on the right track by choosing to read my blog every time I post new articles. Unfortunately, if you’re not applying it, discussing it (write comments below), or teaching it, you’ll go back to your original ways instantly or after a few weeks.
Has there ever been a time when you reluctantly tried something new and then discovered it to be amazing? My personal example was my experience with sushi. I was entirely an “inside the box” type of guy so when it came to something new like sushi, I would keep pushing it off. I gave it a shot one time and introduced my taste buds to an array of new amazing sensations. Not only was I introduced to something new and delicious but I was also conditioned to believe that trying something new is a good thing, which I still go by to this day. There are also times when we try something which impacts us the opposite way. Hopefully you have more positive experiences than negative. However, something like trying new food is just the small picture.
Look at the Bigger Picture
For some and maybe even most of you, a consistent daily routine is nothing out of the ordinary. You go to work, you do your job, you go back home, watch TV, and go to sleep. Now don’t get me wrong, if you’re completely satisfied with doing the same, by all means keep doing the same, because that’s what you’ll get. I interestingly enough run into people every day who find themselves just stuck in that rut hoping and wishing something would automatically change so their entire life style would too. But, how would one expect to create something out of nothing? Start by stopping. Stop what you’re doing right now and pay attention to which direction you’re heading. Are you heading down the path you want to head down? Do you find yourself in a position where you can’t go toward that path because of your financial situation, family situation or whatever situation that’s getting in your way? It starts with taking a chance. Change what you’re doing and you’ll get a different result. Since you have the control, keep changing until your happy with the results you get.
Repetition is Key, so be Persistent
So you’re probably confused considering that I just told you that doing the same thing gives you the same results. When you’re focused on acquiring a skill or talent, you should always be persistent. However, you don’t have to change what you’re doing entirely for something to work, but you do have to add to it.
For example
a person who’s prospecting for business over the phone.You should be persistent in the sense that you’re calling people like crazy and continuously moving from one person to the next, but you should also change your approach each time.That same person who prospects for business but decides they don’t want to change anything will keep getting the same results: no business. Yes it is a numbers game and this person will get a deal here and there but the unpredictability percentage is too high. Be persistent with changing.
Next Level
Choosing not to change what you’re doing will also prevent you from going to the next level. Tiger Woods has over 5 different coaches who constantly work on changing his techniques and style. If he was stuck on the same techniques he used during the beginning of his career, he wouldn’t have advanced or grown to be where he’s at today. So a person like Tiger can keep doing what he’s doing and get great results. He will continue doing well of course up until someone else comes in and outshines him. This is why you must continuously grow, even if you change it up little by little. The Tiger Woods example would apply more so to people who ARE doing well and aren’t willing to change. Even if your good, someone will catch up so you either continue changing, evolving, and growing to keep your lead, or you let people catch up and exert more energy in getting back your lead.
What have you been doing that’s gotten you the same results over and over that you’ve been reluctant to change?
Hi Aj, I read your article with great interest this morning. I was working in IT in Management with a normal 9 to 5 job. I was unhappy so on the side I set up businesses that I ran part time. I felt that I didn’t committ to either of them fully because I was still earning a good salary for my day job. So I didn’t like my day job and my part time companies were not turning into a full time businesses…so I decided time for a change. So I put a plan in place, reduced my debts and resigned from my job. I have set aside some funds and my determination now is to work on my own business in IT and do something I really enjoy. They say most people have a choice of staying in job they hate for safety rather than leaving the job and be worried about insecurity. I’ve chosen the insecurity because life is short and it’s time to move on. I know I am capable of achieving more, I have some good ideas and am starting to see some fantastic opportunities in the social media space. All the best and thanks for your fantastic articles, Ian from Dublin.
Hi Ian,
great to know I have readers in other countries 🙂 I agree with your philosophy on life being so short. This is also why I decided to pursue acting, a dream of mine – http://www.persuadehollywood.com
Most people unfortunately decide to stay with safety considering that the economy here in the states is in the dumps. Like you and I, it’s a risk that can lead to a HUGE reward
Great article AJ, I gotta say it is hard to take anything you do in baby steps, this is the hard lesson for me currently. I am trying to jump the gun and thinking it will be all pretty and rainbows when I get through it.
But unfortunately, the journey never ends, only if I end it.
Tom, be aware of the fact that jumping the gun doesn’t work (which you seem to be) and learn discipline to take things in smaller increments. I feel saying that the “measure twice cut once” analogy applies here….
excellent analogy AJ, measure twice cut once
I can’t take the credit for that line, but yes it is 🙂
You’ve made some great points AJ. I am currently reading “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Caldwell, the theme of the book underscores how little changes make big difference. The same point u made in one of your previous posts, “. . . small is the new big.”
Good deal Ace! I haven’t read Malcolm’s book yet but I’ve heard it’s amazing.
Nice article. I was pretty encourage to comment on this one. Well, this one is new for me as I have never bothered to post a comment on anything here in your blog. Well, as I have read in your previous blog that everything that we learn we forget them most of the time and to remember them, we must discuss it.
I have applied two of your post in this one comment. Great Thanks! 🙂
That’s excellent Zobrac and you slowly begin to see that as you discuss things like this blog with or anyone …you WILL definitely retain more information. So tell me, what have you been doing that’s gotten you the same results over and over that you’ve been reluctant to change?
I’m really a quiet person and I always wait for people to approach me rather than approach them. I really want to talk and have a conversation; and I always wait for people to approach me. I guess I have to try another formula which is me approaching other people and start the subject. I think it’ll have better results, because I want to be outgoing. I’m 20 btw. 🙂
Zobrac,
I can completely relate to what you’re saying since I was that way too. I’m 22 now and changed my ways just recently. Change can happen INSTANTLY. You can be shy all your life (like I was) then make the decision to change yourself right away. Your skills will grow over time, but you can start talking to people right away.
1. Do this, reflect on your life and what you did.
2. Ask yourself what you want exactly.
3. Do it and take action
4. Reflect on what your action and look into how you can become better.
Remember that if you want something in life, you get to go out there and get it. I wasn’t able to change myself until I realized that I was sick of who I was.
Does that make sense? So I hope you read my reply and REALLY go out there and take action on what I said. I want to know what kind of results you get and how it made you feel.
Yeah! I too can relate to what you’ve said. I’m sick and tired of me being shy and me being always in the background of things. I just don’t always get the things that I want to have or to do, because I always just wait for it to come; because I don’t want to talk. Okay, I’ll be going out there and start talking! Thanks. 🙂
Zobrac, do it today, do it now! I want you to go and make it happen and live to tell the so to speak ;). So I expect to hear back from you later today with your results.
You know the other day right after I commented on this article. I just started conversing with my mom’s friend who never ever bothered to have a conversation with me. We had a lil chat and I guess she’s not that comfortable talking with me which I don’t know what might the reason be or maybe I’m just assuming. But, what I really care about is that I started conversing.
Also during that same day, I said hi to one of our neighbors and we had a lil chat. God! Being the first one to converse really did made different results. I think I’m just beginning to look friendly to everyone else.
I have to share another one with you. I have a friend whom I never had a decent conversation with because he was never serious in his talks – it’s all jokes and all. That has been going on since I met him. Then I started talking to him about food and there, it started, I can speak to him in more comfort and more serious than before.
I guess changing what you’re doing just proves that it’ll give a different result. All it takes is courage to change. But, with this experience, I guess courage isn’t such a big deal anymore.
Thanks. AJ Kumar or shall I call you AJ? 🙂
lol VERY NICE!!!!! That is awesome.
Now it’s time to take it up a notch. Focus on talking to people you don’t know.
Make it a goal to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know at least once a day. Sounds simple, but it’s a bit more challenging because you’ll get more people who would rather not to talk to you.
I have a post about versatility, start reading that and practicing that. It will help you in talking to people you don’t know. Report you results to me by the end of the week….fair enough?
I haven’t really made a conversation with people I don’t know. I just made just a little conversation like 5 or less sentences. The problem is I don’t know what to talk about. But, the good thing is I did it differently and I feel good about it. Guess, I have to improve the maintaining-the-conversation part. 🙂
Read this:
http://www.persuasive.net/food-is-the-new-weather/
I try to tell others that doing the same thing over and over isn’t going to give you better results. But my advice is related to exercise and weight lifting in particular. People continue to waste their time in the gym by doing the same things over and over. They work hard and get nothing in return. It’s time for a change!
My strategy is to make small changes one at a time. Usually a small change will lead to a huge result. Then you know what works. If you make a bunch of changes at once, you’ll never know what works. Isn’t it funny how the same concepts apply to so many things in life?
Great advice. I definitely understand what you mean as I go to the gym a few times a week. Like in weightlifting, you cannot expect to see an instant result. Like you say, it’s small changes that accumulate over time.
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