The One Word That Can be The Difference Between Success and Failure

I nearly no-showed for a meeting with a new LinkedIn connection last week.

The connection, Terri, sent me a message to tell me she was waiting in the Zoom room.

I had forgotten our meeting. I was eating lunch, oblivious, when Terri’s message arrived.

I joined the Zoom room, tail between my legs, apologizing, embarrassed.

Terri forgave me quickly and graciously.We had a great meeting.

Terri helps business leaders focus on their strengths to achieve peak performance.

We discussed the importance of mindset.

We discussed how, when marketing, we need to meet prospects where they are. We need to acknowledge prospects’ problems and empathize. But we should emphasize their strengths and positive outcomes.

We talked about the difference between manipulation (unethical) and persuasion (ethical).

As our conversation ended, we agreed to meet again, and I said: “I won’t be late next time.”

Terri replied: “You mean, ‘You WILL be on time.’’”

Thank you, Terri, for helping me adjust my perspective!

“I will be on time…” vs. “I won’t be late.”

“Will” vs. “Won’t”

The distinction may seem subtle, even meaningless to some.

But if you want to achieve peak performance, you have to focus on what you WILL do, not what you WON’T do.

And that begins with the little promises you make to yourselves and others…

“I will be on time” (not, “I won’t be late.”)

“I will get a hit” (not, “I won’t strike out.”)

“I will impress this prospect and close the sale” (not, “I won’t screw up the presentation.”)

“I will deliver the report on Monday” (not, “I won’t miss the deadline.”)

Mindset matters. Little adjustments like these add up.

If you want to be on time, if you want to get a hit, if you want to impress and close the sale, if you want to deliver, if you want to achieve peak performance…

…focus on your strengths. Declare you WILL do it.

And it will happen.