Dan Kennedy, one of the greatest copywriters of all time, is not one to mince words. His unconventional, contrarian views often challenge the status quo. In his latest book, 'No B.S. Guide to Succeeding in Business By Breaking ALL THE RULES, 'he kicks off by debunking 13 common myths and lies that many of us have come to accept as truths.
As I read through each of these, I remember thinking, this is really good stuff! So many of us have bought into this universally accepted B.S., and so many suffer because of it.
In today’s blog, we’ll review all 13, and I’ll share my thoughts on why Dan added them to the list. Enjoy!
- Think positive, and life will be wonderful. Attitude is everything. While a positive attitude is great, it's not a magic bullet. You need skills, strategies, and action to achieve success. Just thinking positively won't get you anywhere without effort and the right tactics.
- He’s a born salesman. You either are, or you aren’t. Kennedy believes that selling is a skill that can be learned. No one is born with an innate ability to sell. With the right training and practice, anyone can become a successful salesperson.
- You can’t get anywhere these days without a college education. You need the permission of others and authorization from somebody in order to succeed. Success doesn't require a college degree or anyone's permission. Many successful people have bypassed traditional education and carved their own paths through determination and entrepreneurship.
- The meek shall inherit the earth. Modesty is a virtue. Meekness and modesty won't get you far in the business world. Confidence and assertiveness are what make deals happen and help you stand apart from the competition.
- Mind your manners. Behave as you are supposed to behave around here. Breaking the rules and challenging norms often leads to success. Conformity stifles creativity. Sometimes, you need to disrupt the status quo to get ahead.
- Be original. Be creative. Invent. Innovate. There is great value in modeling success. Instead of reinventing the wheel, study what works and replicate it. Originality has its place, but proven methods often yield better results.
- If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Winners never quit, and quitters never win. Persistence is important, but sometimes it’s better to pivot when things aren’t working. Stubbornly sticking to a failing plan is a recipe for disaster. You’ve got to know when it’s time to change course.
- Practice makes perfect. Practice alone does not guarantee perfection. Perfect practice makes perfect. Make sure you're practicing the right techniques and strategies if you want to see improvement
- Luck has everything to do with success —“they’re lucky.” Luck can play a role, but preparation, hard work, and seizing opportunities are what truly drive success. Relying on luck is a passive approach that won't lead to real achievement.
- Haste makes waste. The tortoise beats the hare. Slow and steady. In today's fast-paced world, speed and agility are often more valuable than slowly trotting along. Take decisive action, and you will usually get better outcomes.
- The customer is always right. Not all customers are worth your time and effort. Some customers can be more trouble than they're worth. It's better to focus on those who value your work and contribute positively to your business.
- You can’t “get rich quick.” While get-rich-quick schemes are often scams, you can achieve rapid financial success with the right strategies and opportunities. The key is smart, focused effort rather than slow, incremental progress.
- It takes money to make money. Resourcefulness is more important than resources. You can start with little or no money and still build a successful business. Creativity, networking, and strategic thinking can compensate for a lack of initial capital.
If you want to succeed and get ahead, it often means thinking outside the box so many exist in. Dan starts his book by dismantling these common myths to get you thinking differently. He wants you to adopt a more pragmatic and strategic approach to achieving your goals.
If you would like to cut through the B.S. in your own business and develop a more pragmatic, strategic approach to attracting more customers, patients, or patrons, give me a call at 301-873-5791 or go to www.elaunchers.com to book an appointment. Join our growing list of customers who are experiencing their best year yet because they said YES to eLaunchers.
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.