In a world that tells us to speed up and run faster…
…I’m an advocate for slowing down.
Even if I still forget sometimes, everything is smoother and easier with a quiet mind and less thinking.
That’s especially true when someone is deciding whether or not to hire me.
My first marketing gurus taught me to overcome objections and “close the deal,” but that never felt right.
And these days, I deliberately slow the sales conversation way down.
Years ago, I was in conversation with a woman who was thinking about hiring me. We had a first and then a second conversation because I wanted to make sure it was a good match.
She’d been trained to offer a 24 hour special after making a proposal to encourage people to buy right away.
And she said:
“I could put down some money today to hold the spot. Shouldn’t I commit today?”
I told her that wasn’t necessary.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Do you really want that?” I asked.
She shook her head no. We gave it some space and she decided to hire me next week, when her head was clear and the excitement had settled.
The 1:1 coaching work I do is highly relational and trust-based. In order to get results, we need a clear agreement about our purpose, the path we’ll take, and what to expect.
The biggest help with that is taking my time.
I don’t use any time-pressure or limited availability to get people to hire me now. In fact, I often deliberately slow things down.
I need to understand what people want (really) and why (really). Sometimes that takes more than one conversation to uncover, and I don’t mind because the clarity is worth it.
If I think someone is expecting me to deliver a magical business strategy or step-by-step success formula, I will push back. I don’t lead with strategy, and they would be disappointed entering with that expectation.
What look for as a green flag when meeting with a potential client:
- They get clarity and shifts from our initial conversations, even before we officially start working together.
- They’re open to slowing down and reflecting before leaping into action.
- They demonstrate a willingness to take imperfect action before they feel ready.
Those last two might seem contradictory, but they aren’t. They go together like peanut butter and jelly as the recipe for real results.
And now I’d like to invite you into a DragonHeart Portal conversation.
It’s not free, but it’s only $33.
We’ll create a space where you can listen to yourself, get clear on what you want and what you know to do next.
It will probably feel slow, and you’ll probably enjoy it. But you’ll have to see for yourself.
Book one of my 3 remaining sessions until September:
https://portal.stephdragonheart.com/dragonheartconversations
Yours in love and play,
Steph 🐲❤️
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