#1196 How to Get Whatever You Want
#1196 How To Get Whatever You Want
Marty Seligman, largely considered the father of positive psychology, ran an experiment outside his lab at the University of Pennsylvania. A researcher called for volunteers to congregate outside his office if they wanted to earn a few bucks by participating in an experiment. Unbeknownst to them, the experiment was taking place while they waited. Outside of the Office was John, a student who worked for the professor. As each applicant approached for their appointment, John appeared to be waiting for an appointment as well. As John waited for the first few applicants, he introduced himself, made small talk, and then asked them to buy raffle tickets for his church. He was successful about 30% of the time. With the next few applicants, John introduced himself, made small talk, and then got up and walked into the hallway, where there was A Coke machine. He'd return with two Cokes and say I was over at the machine and thought you might want one too. After the unsuspecting student had accepted the Coke, John waited a few minutes and went into his pitch for his church raffle tickets. He was successful 100 percent of the time.
Zig Ziglar said, "You can have whatever you want in life if you just try to help enough other people get what they want."
In his book The One Minute Salesperson, Spencer Johnson also taught this principle. He phrased it like this: "I have more fun and enjoy more financial success when I stop trying to get what I want and start trying to help others get what they want."
What we're talking about here is the law of reciprocity. Ancient religion understood this as karma. What goes around comes around. You get what you give. There are dozens of ways to say it, but the idea is the same. Og Mandino wrote an entire story about it, and it sold millions of copies! The Greatest Salesman in The World tells of a salesperson who finds success when he stops trying to push and instead finds the capacity to give.
You can't give it away! Try this principle: Help your customers, your community, and your coworkers, and you will see. Even if I'm wrong, what's the worst that could happen? You'll be known as a nice person?
Own Your Sales Gene