Peter Shallard

The term “Lizard Brain” has been thrown around the blogosphere a whole bunch lately thanks to Seth Godin’s phenomenal new book Linchpin.

I first heard the term from international direct response marketing legend John Carlton, who has also been harping on and on about Lizard Brain Fear (and why entrepreneurs must overcome it) for years.

From a psychological point of view, Lizard Brain Fear is a fight or flight reaction sent by the most ancient part of our brain.

The reaction tends to pop up when we attempt to do something extraordinary…. in business or life.

Protection in the jungle:

In an effort to protect us from the dangerous predators of ancient times, the Lizard Brain pumps us full of fear as we attempt to leave our comfort zone. For us entrepreneurs, leaving our comfort zone can (and should) be a daily occurrence!

“Leaving our comfort zone” used to mean leaving the safety of our caves. In a dangerous jungle, Lizard Brain reactions were not just appropriate, but mighty useful.

In the concrete jungle of today, Lizard Brain Fear is seldom warranted or helpful.

Seth Godin’s big message (for Linchpins and entrepreneurs) is to feel the fear and do it anyway.

I want to take things once step further with a practical technique for understanding and overcoming Lizard Brain Fear.

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Selling is a critical, make-or-break skill for every entrepreneur

If you’re serious about growing your business, hopefully you’ve already got some sales stars helping you achieve the dream.

As a leader, your top objective is to keep those sales people (or yourself) operating at the peak of performance (and profit) with one simple caveat: Never let them burn out.

Many business owners make the mistake of assuming sales management is easy, but without the right skill toolbox, it will always be an uphill struggle.

This article (1st of a series) breaks down a simple psychological formula which you can use to inspire top performance from your sales people and yourself.

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I’ve got a fantastic idea for my business. I bet you’ve got a couple too.

My idea is a stroke of marketing genius that could help me have fun connecting with a bunch of new clients… and earn a pile of well-deserved cash, quickly and easily.

… So today I got started on it by checking all my favourite news sites, making a snack and catching up with an old friend on the phone. Then it felt like I deserved to watch a little television.

Suddenly, what’s left of the day has gone. Business hours are over. As I drove home, I told myself I’ll get stuck in tomorrow, after a relaxing evening and a good nights sleep.

The Self Sabotage monster strikes again!

This article uncovers the psychology of self sabotage and gives you practical tips on how best to overcome it…

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Ever get frustrated with where you’re at in life or business?

I’m talking about those moments where we turn around, look at our selves with unusual honesty and realise that we’re not living up to our full potential.

Ever feel like you could have done better, tried a little harder or made more of a commitment?

I get these moments all the time – especially on those days where I don’t have meetings or client consultations… Those days, in other words, where I have total freedom over how I spend (or waste) my time.

No one ever plays the game of life at 100% and this article reveals the psychological reasons why.

Additionally, you’ll learn a proven and simple technique that consistently increases your performance – the easy way… even if you’ve never genuinely given anything “your all” before.

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I was recently invited to give a talk on the basics of leadership – at a closed door corporate event which one of my clients hosted for their retail management staff.

It was out in the mountains – I got to fly back to the city while the managers face three days of leadership/team metaphor… a.k.a. Gruelling physical challenge.

The very cool, diverse group of people helped me figure out (and apply real world examples to) the following psychological criteria for exceptional leadership.

Best of all, it’s a acronym (who needs another numbered list anyway?):

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Cold calling tips and sales techniques leave most sales-people in the cold.

Most companies and biz owners would rather pretend cold calling doesn’t work than spend time calling freezing cold prospects.

Don’t let yourself (or your business) ignore these cold calling tips while your competitors are (secretly) using it as a bottomless goldmine…

BEST PART: The tips below literally make cold calling so comfortable, your grand mother could do it (and make loads of sales).

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Smart entrepreneurs know the value of landing that “big fish” client or customer. Check out the business networking tips cheat sheet here…

Business networking is the only proven strategy for reeling in that big fish. Networking is the 80/20 principal in action – just a tiny bit of time invested can generate 80% of your business!

The reason? The clients really worth having will never beat down your door to meet you and probably won’t respond to your advertising either.

If you’re in retail or there is no such thing as a “big-fish” customer in your industry, then you could use the following tips for establishing relationships with the best suppliers or strategic partners.

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Jobs and careers are at the top of everyone’s mind during a recession or GFC.

Specifically, how do I get into an industry or business that is recession and depression proof? What will guarantee that I won’t be affected?

Being able to spot the “safe bets” or fantastic opportunities has nothing to do with reading a list of the Top 10 recession proof jobs.

I could give you that list but very few people would actually do anything with it. Instead, why not wise up to this technique for understanding the recession and why certain jobs will be murdered early while others are guaranteed permanent security?

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I’ve recently found myself frustrated to the point of tearing hair out, by clients of mine who believe that generating more word-of-mouth, referral sales is the answer to all their bottom-line problems.

I’ve got to admit, the logic is appealing:

If you (Mr business owner/sales person) could only find a couple of friends within your social network who want what you’ve got, you can meet up with ‘em… sell it to ‘em and you’ll be on easy street!

The problem is, this principal is absolute bull$*%@…. and in the real world, it seldom works.

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There is a psychological “a-ha” (I call it a “Eureka” moment) that every successful entrepreneur just “gets” at some point in their career. Usually just before they absolutely master the science of achievement.

Thing is, it isn’t easy to “get”… it fact, it is one of the most painful lessons you’ll ever learn.

The secret lies in knowing this, expecting the hurt… and then going for it anyway. Really, the lesson is all about embracing pain.

Let me explain…

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