posted by Emily on Books, Lifestyle Design

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I recently had a chance run-in with local author John Boyd who graciously shared a copy of his book, The Illustrated Guide to Selling You: Custom Design Your Work Life. This was serendipitous after having just finished 4-Hour Workweek. After a heavy focus on lifestyle design, work life design is a nice follow-up.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the pages of Selling You filled with smart, common sense concepts. The value of the book is embedded in Boyd’s masterful to-the-point, keep-it-simple approach that weaves together a comprehensive approach to selling yourself while addressing internal barriers to action.

Boyd writes in bite-sized chunks. Each page encapsulates a nugget, from “Cubicle Captivity” to “Creative Problem Solving.” He begins by selling you on the benefits of viewing yourself as an “Autonomous Agent,” identifying your value and actively seeking the work you desire.

After a dose of what the future could hold, Boyd introduces you to his SMART selling process:

• Speak: Engaging in and learning from meaningful conversations; ultimately finding and connecting to the resources needed to make your work goals a reality.

Gem: Recognizing and working toward the relationship “flash point,” at which point  trust is born and you become allies.

• Move: Taking action on your goals, consistently. Even if you’re in a great situation, you can always develop new connections, new learning, and increased value.

Gem: Dr. Seligman, an American psychologist, conducted a now-famous experiment on dogs to prove a point about conditioning. The dogs were shocked while in a locked cage. They are then moved into open boxes and shocked again. They accept their fate without attempting to escape. Don’t fall victim to learned helplessness because of your past disappointments or limitations.

• Attract: Car salesman vs. girl scout with cookies. Don’t sell or persuade others to hire or promote you. Be what they need when they need it.

Gem: Never underestimate or neglect learning. The greater your value, the greater your leverage, the greater your choices.

• Relax: Desperation is visible from a mile away, don’t let it color your interactions or your decisions. Be confident in the value you bring to an organization.

Gem: Approach interviews and conversations on equal footing; “humanize” the decision maker. They need you as much or more than you need them.  Identify those needs and, if it’s the right fit, fill them better than anyone else.

• Test: Experiment. Test out a variety of methods for achieving your goals. Learn from your early efforts and adjust.

Gem: Don’t get caught in a cycle of ideas for getting out of your situation without taking action. Boyd calls these “assumptions in a vacuum” and we all know a few people who consistently “share” their possibilities but remain stagnant.

As a consultant I found Boyd’s concepts easily applicable to attracting clients who are the right fit for your skills. Even moreso, Boyd continuously emphasizes relationships and learning, two cornerstones of success applicable to every domain, from health to wealth.

“Personal development is your springboard to personal excellence. Ongoing, continuous, non-stop personal development literally assures you that there is no limit to what you can accomplish.” 

- Brian Tracy

Giveaway x2! Enter to win Selling You in two easy steps:

1) Become an email subscriber if you aren’t already. You can subscribe here.

2) Comment on this post.

The TWO subscribers with the most thoughtful or thought-provoking comments by the end of the day Monday win a SIGNED COPY!

Contest is limited to addresses in the United States, including APO/FPO addresses with US Zip Codes. Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe add value to you, my reader. Thank you to John Boyd for donating two signed copies to my readers!

Tags: barriers, career, goals, relationships