Warning - This Is Going To TERRIFY You! (Don't Read If You're Of A Nervous Disposition, Or A Newbie)

20 replies
Funny, isn't it? How we STILL open a thread, just to find out what we
should be terrified about... like we somehow WANT someone to tell us
what to be terrified about? Weird that, eh?

But I DO have a serious point. Let me explain.

Human beings ARE terrified of making "the wrong choice". Yes, I know I'm
speaking generally. Hear me out. (If it isn't true for you, it may be true of
your customers - so you still need to pay attention to this.)

If we're given three choices - A, B or C - first of all we look round for
someone to help us decide which we think is best. We ask others, "What
do you think of A? B? C? Which is better? Which should I choose?"

That's probably smart. Nothing wrong with that (as long as we keep in
mind we're asking for opinions. and those opinions may not reflect full
knowledge or possession of ALL the facts).

But then, here's where we get a little crazy. (And this is what we should
REALLY be terrified of... our crazy minds!)...

We get A, and then start to wonder. "Hmm... I wonder what B and C were
like, after all? Did I make the right choice? "

We wonder about it. We get curious. We start to doubt our decisions.
"Maybe those saying B was best were right, after all."

As we start to think like this, we start a process in our mind which
ultimately leads to our own DISSATISFACTION.

Yet this may have NOTHING to do with Choice A!

Choice A may have been fine... it may have actually been THE BEST
CHOICE!... but as human beings, we can't help feeling the old truism that
"the other man's grass is always greener."

Or the other guru's marketing system is better, or that marrying the other
man or woman might have been better, or...

You get the point.

Be terrified of YOUR OWN MIND!

Be aware of this process, and don't let it take over - not just in life, but
also in your internet marketing and building your business.

For example... and yes, you've heard it before (but I wonder if we truly
do it, or just give it lip service?)...

If you're buying a SYSTEM... stick with that system. Treat it like the ONLY
system on the planet, gain full mastery of it, and make money with it.

Only THEN should you consider other systems, to expand your thinking
once you've already achieved a certain level of success
with System "A".

Most people fail because they suffer from "the grass is greener"
syndrome.

They keeep switching from one system to the next, never properly
mastering the system, and then they blame the marketer or the "guru"
for their failure - when really, it's their "grass is greener" mindset that's at
fault.

Stop it! Be terrified of your mind's capacity to fool you.

STOP LOOKING AT YOUR NEIGHBOR'S GRASS.

(Hey, I said "grass"!... but yeah, you should be thinking of this like a
commandment.)

The grass on your neighbor's lawn may look greener... but it is far more
likely to be an optical illusion. For all you know, your neighbor may even
be thinking the same about YOUR grass!

So what do YOU think?

Do you find that's true for yourself? Are there ways we can help our
customers out with their own "grass is greener" syndrome?

What do YOU do to keep your partner from looking at his or her neighbor's
"grass"?
#disposition #nervous #newbie #read #terrify #warning
  • Profile picture of the author ShaneRQR
    Very well put.

    In IM, there's no end to "shiny new things" that promise to be easier and better than whatever it is you already have.
    The same is true for some other markets (self-help, gadgets, fitness,...), but I think in IM it's particularly noticable.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1748685].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Brad Spencer
    You are totally right...I thought this thread title was the most interesting. I notice how this forum has gotten to a lot of questions that really aren't about "business" but are the "overthinking" crowd.

    Put something up for sale and get people to buy it....that's all business is.

    I notice though so many things are overcomplicated or people jump ship. Nothing that's sustainable can ever be achieved overnight...everyone would be doing it if it did and thus it would lose it's power.

    I saw a quote today in the new edition of the 4 Hour Workweek. It says "Whatever is popular is wrong" by Oscar Wilde.

    It's not always true but 9 times out of 10 it is...stick with a system and get it to work.

    Great points in your thread.

    Cheers,

    Brad
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1748710].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    Used to be 'terrified'; now I decided I am not all that fond of green grass anyway and a well manicure Japanese rock garden is easier to maintain.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1748736].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mkoski
    Focus, Focus, Focus - that is my mantra.

    If you can get very good at ONE thing - you bring value to the marketplace.

    I see you are working on ---> headlines.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1748956].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Paul Hancox
      Originally Posted by mkoski View Post

      Focus, Focus, Focus - that is my mantra.

      If you can get very good at ONE thing - you bring value to the marketplace.

      I see you are working on ---> headlines.
      As marketers, we're ALWAYS working on headlines, mkoski
      Signature
      PresellContent.com - How to sell without "selling"
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1749045].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by Paul Hancox View Post

    Weird that, eh?
    Not really. I'm guessing a lot of people are simply accepting your challenge: "You can't terrify me! Go ahead and try!"

    I once heard a really great example of the mindset you're talking about, though.

    "People always say the grass is greener on the other side. Have you ever turned grass over?"
    Signature
    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1748965].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Paul Hancox
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      Not really. I'm guessing a lot of people are simply accepting your challenge: "You can't terrify me! Go ahead and try!"
      Awww, shucks... stop being so... insightful

      I once heard a really great example of the mindset you're talking about, though.

      "People always say the grass is greener on the other side. Have you ever turned grass over?"
      I love it ... and if you think about it, what's underneath all that grass? Lots of mud and dirt, worms and...

      ... ok, I'm probably overusing the metaphor now
      Signature
      PresellContent.com - How to sell without "selling"
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1749041].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mikemcmillan
    People worry about their decisions.

    Worry is a debt paid in advance on a principal that never comes due. (David Mamet: Make-Believe Town)

    I think it behooves all of us to make it clear that products we sell will only work if buyers implement them entirely. They don't work on their own--people must make them work. I believe it is important in our products to convince buyers that it is important to pick a technique and stick with it until they become a master.

    If we are only selling products we are doing a disservice to our customers. We also need to spell out the importance of carrying through with the plan we provide them with and to not get side-tracked by the foibles of distraction that the human condition is heir to. We not only need to give them a program that works, we must convince them that it will work.

    A final thought: People are more afraid of success than of failure.

    That's one to ponder, but I hold it to be true.
    Signature

    I'll help you create a reputation-building evergreen product in any niche and launch it successfully!
    Check it out here.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1749452].message }}
  • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1758020].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
      In other words, forget about your neighbors grass, go buy some fertilizer, and work your butt off on your own yard. Soon your grass will be greener than his anyway.

      (Unless your neighbor's grass smells funny when he lights it up.)
      Signature
      Brain Drained...Signature Coming Soon!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1758325].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Paul Hancox
      Originally Posted by DougBarger View Post

      THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S GRASS.
      Precisely, Doug
      Signature
      PresellContent.com - How to sell without "selling"
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1763587].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KarlWarren
    I wrote a poem many years ago with a similar message... here, I share it for your amusement, and bemusement.

    The ant in his pants did rant and rave;
    That to his queen he was but a slave.
    The curious weasel advised the ant -
    Who looked quite humble in just his pants:
    To put on a suit, walk with a cane
    And wear a monocle, which the ant thought insane.
    But he gave it a go and true as I stand;
    The queen, in marriage, asked for his hand.
    It came to pass that the ant and the queen
    Lived happily, or so they would have you believe.
    No longer an ant in his pants had to fetch
    and burrow and cater for his queen's every need.
    Yet one thing the weasel declined to foretell
    Was the one thing which made the ant's life hell.
    No longer an ant in a suit or his pants,
    but an ant in the nude he continues to rant.
    But why? I asked the ant in his pants
    He told me there's only one reason he rants
    "How does a colony sustain it's size?"
    The ant declared with tears in his eyes
    That he is father to a million more
    Exhausted, defeated and feeling quite sore.
    Compared with this, life was a walk in the park.
    His poor little testicles glow in the dark.
    Spare a thought for our six legged friend as he cries
    And if he asks, advise him.
    The grass is not always greener on the other side.
    Signature
    eCoverNinja - Sales Page Graphics & Layout Specialist
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1758338].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Paul Hancox
      Originally Posted by KarlWarren View Post

      I wrote a poem many years ago with a similar message... here, I share it for your amusement, and bemusement.

      [/LEFT]
      Hilarious, Karl

      Poor little ant.
      Signature
      PresellContent.com - How to sell without "selling"
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1763593].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author gpower2
        Gas, Grass, or A$$, no one rides for free.
        Signature
        May your day be filled with abundance.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1763616].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
    I agree, I think a lot of it is done subconsciously.
    Signature
    'If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.' Vincent Van Gogh.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1763925].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Clayson
    Love the poem!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1763962].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
    No one has said this yet, so I will.

    Because your headline was "sneaky" or "clever" or however you want to descriibe it, I say inaccurate or misleading, you lost me.

    I didn't bother reading your stuff.

    It could have been wonderful. Maybe not.

    But becasue you misled me I thought, what a t*sser, and came down here to reply.

    That is interesting, Why?

    Because getting people to open your emails or threads is only a part of the process.

    Still if it was an email, you may have been happy with your high Open Rates.

    Perhaps I am overlooking some gems here, I doubt it, as I don't have time to waste on marketers who are not 100% straight and upfront, no offence intended to you.

    So if I feel tricked into opening something, then scr*w them.

    Sam
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1763998].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Hancox
    Point taken, Sam.
    Signature
    PresellContent.com - How to sell without "selling"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1765025].message }}

Trending Topics