Two SECRET words that will improve your life, FOREVER

You enter a company, fill out an application and leave.

When you put a postage stamp on an envelope, you give the envelope a kiss for luck, before you throw it in the mail.

You asked a friend of yours if there were any openings at his company.

At the local coffee shop, you accidentally heard that one of the big companies in town is hiring new graduates.

With your friends, you wrote down the phone number of a lovely young lady.

You need a car and heard that a real deal on a wheelset is coming very soon, due to the passing of a relative of a neighbor.

The leaflet was missing, so you left him a card and a brochure.

The golf pro at the local course will hire one more person for the spring lessons.

A house came to market that you told yourself would one day be yours.

This list could go on, but if you read it carefully, you will discover a common theme.

Perhaps, to make it more obvious, you should write the conclusion to the list above. The bottom line on the list is that nothing happened to make a change in his life.

Why didn’t you get the job you applied for, mailed in, listened to, and asked about it?

Why didn’t you get the great car deal, make the sale, date the girl that’s perfect for you, become a better golfer, and buy your dream home?

You heard things, you asked, you made an effort, but nothing happened. Again, I ask why.

The answer is simple. It’s a secret to most, but like most amazing things in life, it’s hidden in plain sight.

Prepare for the answer, because here it comes. Here’s the secret that kept you reading this far. The secret is “tracking.”

Sounds simple right? It is simple. The hardest part of monitoring is getting people to recognize the power of monitoring. Keeping track of everything you do, are interested in, or are just curious can put you miles ahead of the rest of the group in what I call “wait and see.”

They take a step and then “wait and see” what happens.

They fill out an application and then “wait and see” what happens.

Submit an application by mail, hear about an opportunity, discover a deal, or get a chance to meet up and “wait and see” what happens. Are you?

Not much happens, if you really want to know. Not much will happen if you don’t keep track of what you do, what you hear, and what you dream about.

There is something I teach when I speak with a group of graduate students, company employees, or those I personally advise.

“The worst thing anyone can say to you is” NO “. You ask and they answer, perhaps with a” NO. “They are not going to take you out and shoot you for asking. In some circumstances, they may want to take you out and shoot you for asking, but the chances of them doing so are slim. “

Many people do not follow up because they are afraid of rejection; they are afraid to hear “NO”.

It is easier to tell yourself and those around you what you requested, what you heard or missed, rather than following up and getting a resounding “NO”.

Those who “wait and see” take the first step or what they think is the first step and then let whatever happens happen.

You will improve your income, lifestyle and self esteem by being someone who will follow up on opportunities. Yes, you will get some no’s.

Communication is such an important part of our daily life that it justifies its use. You can send an inquiry letter, close an email, make a call from your cell phone, leave a note, send a fax, send a courier with a package, or use your “personal vine” to clear up the interior.

There is an attachment to the two secret words “tracking” and attachment is knowing that you have to continuously monitor your efforts.

Following up just once is just as bad as not doing any follow-up.

Add a dash of persistence to your follow-up. Again, the worst they can say is “NO”.

I’ll share a couple of examples from my personal files in the follow-up. One is when I was in high school; the other is from my adult working life.

Sadly, I didn’t make the cut for the high school basketball team. I was devastated, but the truth is that the players who made up the team were better than me at that age.

I could have let him go and join the French club, but I went to the coach, who turned out to be a science teacher at school and he said very politely that if any of the players quit or couldn’t play due to injuries or grades, I would very much like to consider me a replacement.

Long story short; a week later I was in my uniform and was dribbling on the wood with the rest of the team, but I was a mediocre player.

Putting my athletic ability aside, I learned that sometimes if you go back, you get another chance.

Think of it this way. You apply for a job and someone else gets the position. Most people just move on, looking for another position to apply to a different company.

The person doing the follow-up goes back to the employer and basically introduces the person in charge of hiring. Saying that if for any reason the hired person is not working to your satisfaction, you would like to be considered or contacted.

Keep track of everything you want and I promise you won’t get everything you want, but you will go further than sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.

Many women will say “NO” repeatedly and end up marrying the guy they put off for days, weeks, months, or even years.

Another example comes from my professional life.

I applied to a network owned and operated station in Los Angeles for an on-air position. He knew he could handle the job, but they didn’t. I was persistent. I sent letters, faxes, made phone calls, and left messages.

Long story short, nine months later, I was caught up in a great broadcasting career.

Following up is simple, it takes a bit of effort on your part, but the rewards can make a life fulfilling and prosperous.

To avoid running out, just go for what you really want. If you really don’t want something, you won’t put in much effort (follow through) to achieve it.

Pursuing things that you don’t want, or things that others want for you, does not carry the “power of pursuit” that pursuing your heart’s desires has.

“Follow-up” is easy to do, most ignore it, but it can pay off big. Try it and remember; the worst they can say is “NO”, but you never know when you get the “YES” you’ve been looking for.