The Truth

[Mark]

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[moonlightandmargaritas]

Excellent post. Many newbies think they're going to be successful because they're "hard workers".

Hard work, while necessary, is insufficient.

 

[Guest]

I agree, I still screw up, that's why I like women on top!!

If you look at some of the seasoned agents or guru’s, you might think that they have never been in your shoes and that they just woke up one day and knew everything.

The truth is most of us, didn’t start off this way. We had to screw up 10 times to get it right 1 time. Don’t be afraid of failure or to try an idea. You will find that most of the successful agents if they are honest with you, had to put a lot of work into this business. We do not just wake up being able to do what we do. If you want what we have, then you have to do what we did to get here. If you are going to be in the business long term, then you need to invest your time and money into this business. Don’t accept failure either. I read on the forum where a guy did some cold calling for just 1 hour and then gave up. I’m not picking on anyone, but you must keep trying. No matter what you do, you will fail sometimes. Even the best agent in the world doesn’t always get the sale and we all have off days.

I feel like a fisherman most of the time. I have to keep changing baits and location all the time.

If things are not working out for you in this business, then change what you are doing. You can’t just show up and make the kind of money that the successful agents are making unless you do what they are doing. In other words, many of us have spent countless hours reading books on insurance, going to training meetings, talking to other agents and screwing up until we get it right.

Let me tell you some secrets to this business. Care about your clients and do what is best for them and it will pay off for you. Stay in contact with your clients. Make a relationship with them. If you don’t know something in this business, then ask someone that does and learn from them.

 

[KConway]

I agree, I still screw up, that's why I like women on top!!

Now that's comedy!

 

[LGilmore]

Experience IS surviving failure to try again.

 

[retread]

I feel like a fisherman most of the time. I have to keep changing baits and location all the time.

I have heard this analogy before, and I think of it often... Yes, sometimes when you go to a little community, and you get no sales... change the fishin' hole! If the product you are selling isn't selling.... change the bait! And above all... be patient! The guy fishing for his supper ain't gonna quit 'till he gets somethin' 'cause hunger is driving him. If you're hungry enough, you'll keep at it until you catch your dinner. If you are losing weight, the leaner you get, the smarter you will find it necessary to study your tactics.

 

[somarco]

I have a framed puzzle in my office. Had it there for years.

The puzzle took me hours to work over several weeks but I was determined to finish it.

The finished piece is roughly 2' x 2'. The top 20% or so of the picture has a blue sky and rolling hills leading down to a lake.

The picture is cartoon fashion.

Sitting in a boat in the middle-top of the picture is a fisherman with his line in the water. His body language and expression on his face indicates he has been there a while, hasn't caught a thing, and is totally put out with the entire process.

Beneath the boat is nothing but blue water.

But if you look beyond the ends of the boat on either end, your find the lake is literally packed with fish. Think of a "where's Waldo" scene.

Since the lake takes up about 80% of the picture, what you see is mostly fish of all sizes, shapes and colors, everywhere but where he is fishing.

This picture (and a few others) keep me grounded and remind me that when I am not catching any fish it is probably because I am fishing in the wrong spot, or using the wrong bait.

 

[insuranceexec]

I have a framed puzzle in my office. Had it there for years.

The puzzle took me hours to work over several weeks but I was determined to finish it.

The finished piece is roughly 2' x 2'. The top 20% or so of the picture has a blue sky and rolling hills leading down to a lake.

The picture is cartoon fashion.

Sitting in a boat in the middle-top of the picture is a fisherman with his line in the water. His body language and expression on his face indicates he has been there a while, hasn't caught a thing, and is totally put out with the entire process.

Beneath the boat is nothing but blue water.

But if you look beyond the ends of the boat on either end, your find the lake is literally packed with fish. Think of a "where's Waldo" scene.

Since the lake takes up about 80% of the picture, what you see is mostly fish of all sizes, shapes and colors, everywhere but where he is fishing.

This picture (and a few others) keep me grounded and remind me that when I am not catching any fish it is probably because I am fishing in the wrong spot, or using the wrong bait.

That sounds beautiful. I took a lasting breath while reading your post..........

You are aboslutely spot on!

 

[Mark]

Also if the fish are biting, stay in that spot and don't move.

If something is working for you, work it to death while it is working.

 

[insuranceexec]

Never, I mean never take a vacation when you are catching all the fish. I see more agents that will go out and have a good month and make 15-20 grand and then take a vacation. They come back and the next month they are starving..........LOL. I see this time and time again.