“Just hitting the ball isn’t enough. You have to loosen your girdle and really let the ball have it.” – Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Years ago I came across this quote from Babe Didrikson Zaharias and it not only made me laugh out loud, it became a personal mantra.
Read her biography below – this is a woman born in 1913 and she died at the young age of 43! You know she ran into obstacles and yet it never stopped her drive or her pursuit of success.
Didrikson, Babe (Mildred Didrikson), 1913-56, American athlete, generally considered the greatest athlete of modern times, b. Port Arthur, Texas.
At a young age, Babe Didrikson excelled in basketball, baseball, and track and field. In 1932 she won five events, tied for first in another, and finished fourth in yet another event at the AAU national championships in track and field. Two weeks later, she won two events at the Los Angeles Olympics with record performances and was disqualified in a third while tied for first place. From 1934 she devoted herself to golf. In 1938 she married George Zaharias, a wrestler. She achieved great notoriety as Babe Didrikson Zaharias. She won the US Golf Association amateur competition (1946) and 15 tournaments in 1946-47. She was the first American woman to win the British amateur title (1947) and, after turning professional in 1947, she won 33 tournaments (including the US Open in 1948, 1950 and 1954) before succumbing to cancer. She wrote Championship Golf (1948).
Hey, every time I get frustrated about a project, a client, etc., I ask myself, “Okay Kim, are you just hitting the ball or did you put the girdle on it?”
Here are some “Sash Questions” to ask yourself:
– What is the end result I want to see from this client/project/initiative?
– Have I asked my clients enough questions?
– Do I really understand their goals and motivations?
– Do I understand my OWN goals and motivations?
– How committed am I to my business and my customers?
Contrary to popular belief, selling is not based on dumping information on your customer.
In fact, that’s a surefire way to kill the deal and end a relationship.
If you want to be considered a success not only in your own mind but also with others, you must be willing to stretch the limits, that is, the belt of your mind and go beyond what you originally thought was possible.
This is one of the best times of the year to make sales. Relationship development. Creation of new projects. Launch of new ideas. Rationalization process.
But have you recently sat down and wondered “Hey, where am I?” and you also sat down with your client and asked “How are you doing? What do you want to achieve? How can I make it easier for you?”
I think Babe knew a few things and would definitely have been someone I would have loved to meet. Can you imagine the perception? Unit? The wisdom?
If I could see your mind and your business right now, would I be impressed or disappointed with you?
So ask yourself today… “Am I just hitting the ball or have I really put on the girdle?” It would make both Babe Didrikson Zaharias and your Sales Diva proud!
Copyright © 2005
