Working sports, I learned that most opportunities become available bc there are some pretty downtrodden/challenging things going on at the place you’re abt to apply.
There are diff challenges everywhere. When I got to the Devils in 2010, for example, there was a season ticket base of only 4,700- in an arena that sat 18,000. Not exactly a high demand situation screaming out “scarcity or urgency” when training staff how to sell the remaining seats.
But I was always taught – take the negative & turn it into a positive to use to your advantage.
In the case of the Devils – ok, not a lot scarcity. But what if we used those open seats to invite in more prospects than most any team could, given their inventory situations. Not comps just to fill seats. That’s lazy. Actual personal invites from reps, to prospects, to meet them, walk them thru the arena, get to know them, build a relationship. We could do MORE of the good, bc OF the bad.
What made me think of this quote card – & then the semi-related example above, is a story that happened this wk. I was trying to help a friend I hadn’t spoken to in a while, deal w an irrational thought they were having.
After working from home for 2 yrs – this is a grown man w a fam – his company was finally being asked to come back IN the office. This friend developed the irrational fear of going on the train. He couldn’t explain why. Said he felt trapped thinking abt the ride…that he’d only feel comforted if a close fam member was next to him…for the full ride. Felt he was gonna jump out of his skin, sitting alone.
I offered to be on the phone/FaceTime w him throughout…but he said he needed someone there. He knew it was an irrational thought, but couldn’t stop it nonetheless.
Courageously, he got on the train for work. I texted him shortly after it was set to arrive & asked how it went. He said: I told the conductor how I was feeling…alone & scared. The conductor said – I understand: & kept checking to see if I was OK throughout the whole hour-long ride.
What? Two grown men…one vulnerable, one caring for a stranger like that? A lot of good can shine…especially amongst a lot of bad.