I’m Finding That Learning to Play Guitar Is a Lot Like Selling

Articles, Personal

If you really want something, you have to be prepared to go out and get it. Sometimes this might involve a steep learning curve but, once again, if you really want it …

Case in point and one on a more personal level. I have always had the dream of being, at least, a moderately adequate guitarist. Work has been my only hobby but, as I am getting older, I have moved this desire to the forefront.

15 years ago, I bought a Fender guitar and amp and both commenced to gathering dust. I had no time. Then, about a year ago, I pulled them out of storage. Since then, I have purchased four other guitars, two amps, an assortment of pedals, and several online lessons. I now find myself wading through it all.

Let me say that the world of electric guitars is far more complex than I had ever envisioned. Many of my purchases were ill advised simply because I did not know any better. That being said, I have failed forward. If nothing else, I have always been persistent. I can’t play well yet but, I will. Moderately.

My business is no different. While I have a ton of experience in sales, I have zero chops in marketing, media, web development, or technology. I’ve never taken a class or hired a consultant. It’s the same for guitar lessons but, I am strongly thinking about taking some. I am self-taught. Yeah, sometimes it shows but, I’m ok with that.

I desperately wanted to learn my new professional skills and, therefore, I have been consumed by that process. Today I can say that I have achieved a modicum of functionality in these fields. I’ve graduated from being as dumb as a rock to just being dumb. Progress.

To me, it’s pretty simple. Learning equals growth, personal and professional, and growth equals opportunities. It’s not always about achieving perfection but, it is about making progress. And, if we are talking about opportunities, let’s apply this to selling. It’s not all that different than my quest to become a shredder.

Invest in yourself – I have tremendous issues with those people who do not take their fate, their success, into their own hands. You must be a self-starter. If you are waiting for others to do it for you (company provided training etc.), you will never reach your full potential.

Preparation – Do the research and acquire the necessary product knowledge. However, never get caught in the endless quest to gather information simply for the sake of gathering information. Not only will you never actually do anything, you will also likely suffer from paralysis by analysis in the process.

It’s funny that I am able to do this in my business life but, not so much in my personal endeavors. I have accumulated vast volumes of guitar lessons online, in print, and on DVD’s. Finally, at the start of this year, I made the commitment to stop collecting and to start doing. More progress.

Practice – Preparation must be followed by action. Practice first in a controlled atmosphere but, you must transition to a real-life environment. Nothing beats a trial by fire. While I’m not there yet, my goal is to play guitar with something that resembles a band. As I’m turning 65 this year, I had probably best get busy.

Persistence – If you really want it … then go out and get it. Selling is a tough business. We all have dream, target, accounts. Chances are good that they are already doing business with one of your competitors. Your chances of walking in at exactly the right time when they are planning a change are nil.

As the old saying goes … “It takes seven no’s to get to a yes!” Maybe that number is correct and maybe it isn’t. Regardless, every “No” is worth the same as every “Yes” so you might as well get them out of the way. Poorly performing reps are known to give up too quickly and too easily. Top performers are often the last man standing.

Get out of your comfort zone – Try new things. Do not be afraid to fail. If you learn from your failures then they are not failures. I’m inclined to practice new things with smaller accounts. That face plant will tend to hurt less than it would with a major opportunity. Everything that I am doing now with my guitar is definitely a stretch.

Help others and ask for help – Just as it is important that you are willing to help others when they need it, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It doesn’t make you look stupid. It makes you look like you are smart enough to seek assistance when you are trying to up your game which, you are!

I think that I’m going to call about those lessons now …

 

Craig M. Jamieson

Craig M. Jamieson

Managing Member at Adaptive Business Services
Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. Adaptive Business Services provides solutions related to the sales professional. We are a Nimble CRM Solution Partner. Craig also conducts training and workshops primarily in social selling and communication skills. Craig is also the author of "The Small Business' Guide to Social CRM", now available on Amazon!
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