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Skyrocket Your Sales

Skyrocket Your Sales

Business Development, Mindset

Skyrocket Your Sales

To Sell Is Human

When I say sales, you say…. ?

For many, the word sales conjures images of those pushy “I’ve been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty” cold callers. This negative association can lead to deep-seated resistance and limiting beliefs around the concept of selling, significantly impacting your ability to drive revenue in your own business.

But what if you could shift that perception? What more could you accomplish if you believed that to sell is, actually, human?

Historically, the concept of selling has often been associated with manipulation by corrupt corporations, an image perpetuated by media portrayals (who doesn’t love a good “I can’t believe that really happened!” episode of Dirty Money?).

However, the stereotypical snake oil salesman view of sales is outdated and ignores the fundamental purpose of sales… a tool for solving problems and meeting client needs. 

In bestselling author Dan Pink’s book To Sell is Human, Pink argues that everyone works in sales – whether you’re selling a product, an idea, or yourself. 

When you adopt the mentality that sales doesn’t have to be directly related to the “ching” of another Stripe notification, that it really is more about how you solve others’ problems, you become unstoppable.

Before we dive into how to become unstoppable, let’s chat about the two most common resistances to sales.

The Fear of Rejection

One of the most significant psychological hurdles in sales is the fear of rejection. 

This fear can stem from deep-rooted subconscious mechanisms designed to keep your nervous system feeling safe. For online business owners, every sales pitch can feel like a personal risk, with the possibility of hearing “no” feeling like a threat to your identity and self-worth.  

Having a fear of rejection may discourage you from actively marketing and selling your offerings.

The Mismatched Mindset

Does this sound familiar? 

“I absolutely LOVE creating products/services that [solve a specific problem for a specific client]!” or “People keep asking me for advice on [specific problem] and I love being able to help!”

Most entrepreneurs start their business based on a strong passion for solving problems and helping others, not necessarily focused on the bottom line of selling products and services. This mismatch between your self-perception as a problem solver compared to seeing yourself as a salesperson creates a cognitive dissonance – leading to a feeling that your work should speak for itself, resulting in avoidance of implementing any sort of direct sales tactics.

So how can you start to shift your perception of sales to a more healthy outlook that helps fuel your business?

Let’s start by reframing the concept of sales.

Instead of viewing sales as needing to convince or manipulate prospective clients into buying something they don’t want or need, look at sales from the lens of providing a solution to a problem.

 

This ties directly back to the entrepreneurial motivation to help others, alleviating much of the psychological discomfort associated with selling. This shift in perspective turns sales into an act of empathy and understanding, aligning the solutions that you have to the problems that prospective clients express a need to solve.

This leads to the next perspective shift; consultative selling.

Instead of traditional, stereotypical sales tactics, online business owners should focus on building authentic relationships with prospective clients. Invite clients to engage in genuine conversations about their desires – and not just the desires they express on the surface, but the intrinsic needs underlying those desires. Understanding the root cause of your prospective clients’ desires helps you determine whether your products and services can meet their needs.

Approaching the sales conversation as a consultation helps build connection and foster trust, rather than leave you feeling like you’re forcing a transaction.

Understanding your specific limiting beliefs around sales can help you create your own reframes! 

By redefining sales in a more positive light, you’ll be able to integrate authenticity into your sales tactics and show up more confidently — turning sales into a powerful tool for growth and connection.

Love of Money…

Love of Money…

Mindset

Love of Money…

Is the Root of All Evil?

If you grew up anytime between the 1800s and today, you’ve probably heard it a thousand times from well-meaning grandmothers and elementary school teachers : “money is the root of all evil.”

It’s a saying that has echoed through generations, shaping our perception around money, imprinting a sense of guilt or shame around wealth.

“It’s rarely about the money,” Money Breakthrough Coach Sarah McGirr said. “People think [they have] a money problem, but it’s not.”

Sarah went on to tell me that money isn’t the root of all of our problems, after all… our perception of it is. And for women, our perception of money is often more multi-layered than the plot of a Leonardo DiCaprio movie.

But why is this?

“For women, we’re conditioned early on that we’re not enough,” she said.

Think about the ads that you were exposed to as a teenage girl – makeup campaigns that promote whatever standard of beauty is popular at the time and fashion spreads full of barely-there models (don’t even get me started on the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show… why was I so captivated by these women?).

Not to mention all of the gender-norm conditioning both girls and boys are exposed to from an early age.

Society has given us a set of standards and expectations to live by, and when we stray from those standards – say by making double your husband’s salary, for example – we’re looked at as different.

“It’s the fear of leaving the tribe,” Sarah said. “No one wants to be looked at as different from the tribe. It’s the ‘what will my friends think?’ concept.”

Societal pressures. Gender stereotypes. Deeply rooted self-worth issues.

It’s the perfect storm of subconscious conditioning that affects every area of our lives, including manifesting as an extremely toxic relationship with money.

 

Fun fact :
the actual saying

“For the love of money is the root of all evil” is centuries old, originating from the book of Timothy in the Bible, with other variations of this verse found in multiple religious texts… so your grandmother was, in fact, not the first to coin this phrase

But how do we start to repair this relationship?

“Start by writing a letter to money,” advises Sarah. “You’ll often find it helps you uncover your relationship with money. You’ll be surprised at what comes up.”

Identifying your conditioning around money – your “money stories” as they say in the biz – is the first step in changing the narrative.

Understanding and reclaiming our money stories allows us to make more empowered decisions and begin to rewire that old subconscious conditioning.

In the end, money is just a tool. It’s a resource that can provide more freedom, options, and better opportunities. When we learn how to let go of the shame and guilt around money, and stop building it up into this thing bigger than what it is – a tool – we begin to shift our perception of money more positively.

And who doesn’t want a more positive relationship with money?

Money Mindset Activity:

Write your letter to your money; write whatever comes up as you think about what you’d like to say to your money.

+ What would you like to tell it?

+ What would you like to ask it?

+ How are you currently feeling about your relationship?

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Love of Money…

Love of Money…

It’s time to unpack your money story. Money isn’t the root of all of our problems… our perception of it is. And for women, our perception of money is often more multi-layered than the plot of a Leonardo DiCaprio movie.

read more

Money May I?

Money May I?

Mindset

Money May I?

How To Stop Asking Your Bank Account for Permission

In a world where anyone can claim to be a financial guru on TikTok, you’re sure to see a lot of advice flying around; from budgeting techniques like the envelope method to saving spare change in a ‘Treats Jar’ (you won’t catch me paying for my Starbucks in 545 pennies!), it’s easy to feel like your bank account is the boss.

But what if you could shift that narrative?

What if you could move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, allowing money to work for you?

Success Advisor Louisa Havers has a few tips for creating a daily practice on how you can stop asking your bank account for permission, and start feeling more empowered when it comes to your money.

Rewrite Your Money Story

“The subconscious has a 100% success rate in delivering our programming,” Louisa said, reiterating what you learned in the last article.

Everyone has a money story – your beliefs around money that have rooted themselves into subconscious programming.

Now, it’s time to rewrite that narrative.

After you’ve identified the limiting beliefs you have around money, replace them with empowering affirmations – such as “I am a magnet for financial abundance” and “money comes to me in unexpected ways.”

When you catch yourself running your old, negative programming around money :

1. Recognize that it’s just a thought that you keep thinking

2. Acknowledge the thought and let it go (I like to picture it as a cloud floating away… don’t knock it until you try it!)

3. Replace the thought with your new empowering affirmations

The more you do this, the easier it becomes until one day you realize those negative beliefs don’t even pop up anymore!

“I am a magnet for financial abundance”

“money comes to me in unexpected ways”

Visualize Financial Success

Visualization is a powerful tool in building a more abundant mindset. Dust off those daydreaming muscles and spend a few minutes each day visualizing what your life would be like after you’ve achieved your goals.

How do you feel? What do you see? What do you hear? How do you show up differently?

For an extra potent punch, Louisa recommends practicing fully embodying the feelings you would have after achieving your goals. This helps to prime your nervous system to feel safe in a new reality, she said.

Let your mind run wild as you meditate in your visualization and let your subconscious start to noodle on how to accomplish these dreams. You may be surprised at the unexpected opportunities that start popping up for you!

Set Bold Financial Goals

Instead of setting safe financial goals that keep you in your comfort zone, why not dream big?

Because you’re worthy, lady!

Whether it’s doubling your monthly income, saving for a dream vacation, or investing in your own business, set goals that excite and motivate you. Bold goals inspire bold actions, and you’ll soon find yourself making financial choices that support your biggest dreams.

Forget about the how, and focus on the specific goal.

One tip from Louisa; “imposter syndrome is a signal you’re going in the right direction,” she said.

Imposter Syndrome is the feeling of self-doubt in a specific situation; it often pops up when you are stretching your comfort zone… which is a given when you’re on a journey of growth!

Cultivate Financial Confidence

Building financial confidence is like flexing a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Begin by educating yourself about finances. Read books, listen to podcasts, and maybe even take a course on personal and/or business finance.

Applied knowledge is power, and the more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in making financial decisions that align with your goals.

You’ll start to step into the identity of someone who makes better decisions around money.

Celebrate Financial Wins

No matter how small, celebrating your victories can help shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance.

Got a new client? Celebrate! Paid off a credit card? Do a happy dance!

Every time you celebrate, you reinforce the belief that you are financially capable and deserving of more success.

Let money work for you.

Adopt these practices today and let money start working for you!

When you stop asking your bank account for permission to live your life, you take control of your money story; you create a more abundant mindset, empowering yourself to make decisions that lead to a more prosperous and fulfilling financial future.

If you enjoyed this article you'll love our digital magazine!

CEO ERA™ – The Magazine is your new secret weapon! Our FREE digital magazine isn’t just a read… it’s an experience. Each issue is carefully crafted for the bold and brilliant entrepreneur ready to take their purpose-driven business to skyscraping heights! Packed with a punch of wit, pop-culture references and (most importantly) actionable insights – it’s like having a business coach, motivational speaker, and business bestie rolled into one. With CEO ERA™ – The Magazine in your inbox, stepping into your CEO ERA isn’t just possible… it’s inevitable.

Subscribe!

Related Articles

Related

Skyrocket Your Sales

Skyrocket Your Sales

,

When I say sales, you say…. ? For many, the word sales conjures images of those pushy “I’ve been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty” cold callers. This negative association can lead to deep-seated resistance and limiting beliefs around the concept...

read more
Love of Money…

Love of Money…

If you grew up anytime between the 1800s and today, you’ve probably heard it a thousand times from well-meaning grandmothers and elementary school teachers : “money is the root of all evil." It's a saying that has echoed through generations, shaping our perception...

read more

Get Clear on your Mission and Vision

Get Clear on your Mission and Vision

Business Development, Mindset

Get Clear on your Mission and Vision

One of the most important things you can do for yourself and as the leader of your business is set a compelling mission and vision… and yes, IMO it’s important to have both!

Whether you’re a one-man/woman show (like me!) or oversee a small team, having a strong mission and vision will not only attract potential clients/customers, but also the right employees (if and when you’re ready to scale) that align with what you’re trying to accomplish.

 So what’s the difference between the two?

Your vision statement is the ambitious and inspiring picture that you paint of a future where your product/service has made a difference in the world. It should be descriptive and also tie into your purpose.

A mission statement acts as the roadmap for achieving your vision, by defining what you do and how you do it. It should be concise and include a general statement around your core values 

“Where there is no vision, there is no hope.”

– George Washington Carver

Together, your mission and vision statement act as a powerful manifestation for what you want to achieve.

The ability to articulate your  mission and vision in a compelling way is crucial for your business’ success. 

Once you’ve nailed down your mission and vision statements, every decision you make in your business should be in the pursuit of that vision. In many ways, this should make decision-making easier for you! 

When you know where you’re going, you’ll know the path to get there…

but the path may not always be clear.

Let’s be real; building a business is hard.

There’s a quote by Joseph Campbell that I’ve been holding on to that goes “if the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s.”

When I get overwhelmed with my mile-long ‘to do’ list or am unsure of a critical business decision, I’ll look at the post-it note with this quote and remind myself that I left comfortable (my corporate job) to pursue growth through the uncomfortable (starting two of my own businesses).

You can read more about this in my last post, here. 

    Another thing that has kept me focused and motivated to continue when things get tough are my business’ values.
    Much like personal values, business values help potential clients and consumers relate to your business, humanizing your business and building trust with your audience.
    My personal values and business values are similar because I believe your business is an extension of you and your ideas.

My business values for Montgomery Consulting:

+ Lead by Example – “walk the walk, and talk the talk” has always been important to me, this is also a huge personal value of mine. I believe the only way to live authentically is to live in congruence with your beliefs. If you’re not living in congruence with your beliefs, you’re subconsciously telling yourself that you are not worthy.

+ Do More of What You Love – there’s nothing like working and living in your “flow state,” the mental state of working in your Zone of Genius! (Read more about how to lean into your strengths to boost productivity here)

+ FCHWPO – I stole this from my favorite NBA player but tweaked it a bit to fit my mentality; it stands for “focus, commitment, hard work pays off.” This is the mindset that I try to embody and coach my clients to live every. single. day.

The combination of a clear vision and mission, coupled with anchoring to your values will make decision-making sooooo much easier!

Every decision that you make should be in alignment with these three filters. 

 

Create a quick check for yourself — whether it’s while you’re weighing an important business decision or battling with yourself on whether or not to get your butt to the gym — and assess how closely you’re living in alignment to these criteria. 

This will move you from living unintentionally to living an intentional and purposeful life.

Here’s your homework:

1. Write down the vision that you have (in your life and business) for the next six months, 12 months and three years. What does your life look like? How do you feel every day?

2. Next, create your mission statement — reminder, this is what and how you will reach your vision.

3. Identify your values. Think about your highest self, who is she/he? What’s important to them? How do you make people in your life feel?

4. Write all of these down and reflect on them often! ** These don’t have to be set in stone, it’s ok if your vision changes over the years as you and your business grow. Your values may also change depending on major life events or experiences. Embrace it!

 

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Thankful: Lessons from the Past Year

Thankful: Lessons from the Past Year

Lifestyle

Thankful: Lessons from the Past Year

“… those who are truly abundant know their purposes and are living them daily.”

     – Mastin Kipp, ‘Claim your Power’

I will be honest… I’ve been hesitant about posting this because it feels wayyy more vulnerable than my typical business-focused, “call to action” style blog posts. But I also recognize that there is power in vulnerability and your willingness to own your story. So this week, I wanted to share more about me and why I’m here. (I’ll also be quoting a ton from Mastin Kipp’s book, *’Claim Your Power,’ because it completely changed my perspective on a lot of things and is a must read!) 
*As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

If you read my ‘About Me’ page, you know that I’d put off starting my own business for years as I’ve struggled with limiting beliefs. I  would constantly make excuses for why I could never take the leap and leave the comfort of my corporate job to pursue my passions — the root of all of my excuses being “I’m not good enough,” which I recognize now as just another limiting belief that stems from fear. 

“Before you can discover your life’s purpose, you must separate from your comfortable and ordinary world.“

 – Mastin Kipp, ‘Claim your Power’ 

As long as I can remember, I’ve been too concerned with others’ opinions. I’ve never wanted to be the center of attention… or draw any attention to myself, to be honest… so I’ve always played it safe.

(Even now, putting myself out here on the internet is terrifying — which is probably why I’ve avoided sharing anything too personal until now) 

Working in corporate was easy because I always had a role to play — the sales manager, the project lead etc — and I didn’t necessarily have to be the people-pleaser that I was in my personal life. It wasn’t until my first role in leadership when my boss sat me down and said “Katie, you’re going to have to get comfortable being a conversation topic at people’s dinner tables,” that I realized it was impossible to make everyone happy.

I decided then that the best I could do was lead by example.

“Lead by example” became my new mantra; in my personal life, I had felt lost after graduating college — I didn’t have any direction or ambition — but in 2014 everything changed when I had my daughter, Dakota. “Lead by example” took on a whole new meaning and I knew that I had to level-up in every aspect of my life to be the mother and role model that she deserved. 

Dakota became my ‘why’ and was the motivation I needed to create a vision for a better life… but I was terrified of falling short of the new expectations I had for myself.

“… fear is a compass showing you where to go.”

 – Mastin Kipp, ‘Claim your Power’ 

 

I did all of the things that society told me to do as a young, single mom; I threw myself into my work, earning four promotions in six years, affording me the opportunity to buy my first house. I was also able to put Dakota in one of the best private schools in our area and filled our calendar with one after-school activity to the next.

From the outside, it looked like I had my life together! 

But on the inside, I was constantly beating myself up because none of it felt like enough. I still felt lost…

I was so busy chasing validation through status and material things, that I didn’t realize I had completely lost sight of what was actually important to me. I was no longer working my butt off to be a good example to Dakota of what a hardworking, independent woman could achieve; I had fallen into the trap of chasing happiness through any external means necessary. 

But the universe has a funny way of knocking you back on the right track!

My unexpected wakeup call bulldozed its way into my life around this time last year, when my relationship ended.

I had been in the process of selling my house to relocate closer to him when he ended it. Fortunately, my best friend and her husband agreed to let Dakota and I stay with them temporarily, until I could figure out my next step. (Huge shout out to you both for being there for us during such a hard time!!)

Unfortunately, the hits kept coming and I ended up losing my corporate job a couple months later when the company enforced a new ‘return to office’ policy — having moved to a different state, I wasn’t able to return to the office.

I had officially entered my quarter life crisis (ok ok quarter is generous… is there anything between a quarter life and mid-life crisis?).

I had given up my home and my job — two things that I had deeply connected my identity to — and was forced to reassess my life.

After my last day in my corporate job, I decided to give myself a couple months off to reconnect with myself with what was truly important to me. I’m not going to lie, it was really hard! After decades of equating productivity — through school, sports, work etc — with self-worth, I had a steep hill to climb.

But as the months went on, I found that everything that had happened was actually the best thing that could’ve happened to me!

I learned a few really valuable lessons — one being that life happens for me, not to me. This was an extremely hard lesson in having faith. I believe that we all have a purpose and it’s our life’s journey to discover what that purpose is and how to live congruently with it. 

It’s uncomfortable, but you can’t grow if you stay in your comfort zone.

All of the lessons I’ve learned this past year have only prepared me for what is coming next… and big things are coming!

I also had a pretty rude awakening and reminder of what my values are. I realized that a job title and being a homeowner, although admirable, were not actually as important to me as building strong relationships with friends and family, and finding my community; values that I’d been disconnected from for a while.

I also have a completely new idea on how I want to define “lead by example” moving forward.

So this holiday season, I am extra thankful for this past year of reflection and rebuilding. I’m proud of myself for giving myself the space and grace to work through really difficult emotions; to heal, learn and grow — I would encourage everyone to be vulnerable with yourselves and look for the lessons you’ve learned this past year.

I’ll always be a work-in-progress, but this new version of me is more aligned with her values, purpose and has a new outlook on life!

(If you’re interested in learning more about the mindset shifts I’ve been working on, sign up for my Newsletter, where I love to share more business BTS and personal stories!)

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