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"Jump In"

Jump In
by Joe Bonura, CSP

In this article:

The Water Is Too Cold
Go In Headfirst
We Have Been There
The Long Walk
I Lost My Voice
Forget Your Failures
Take Action... Now
No Fly Zone
Get Rid of the What Is It
Make A List and Live

The Water Is Too Cold

As a small child, I remember going to the beach with my Mom and Dad. I approached the water and put my toe in, felt how cold the water was, and ran back to shore. Then, I cautiously returned to the water until my ankles were submerged. Forever I stood there with goosebumps, never making the plunge. The cold water intimidated me.

Go In Headfirst

I watched my older sister approach the water and jump in headfirst. I decided to follow her example and found that the first shock of the plunge was exhilarating and that my body immediately adjusted to the cold. The same principle holds true for selling. Pick up the phone and take the plunge. It is intimidating at first, but once you begin to make the calls, the results will boost your confidence.

We Have Been There

You know what I mean because you have been there, too. You were afraid to pick up the phone, but once you did, you began to make the calls that created powerful results. You developed a strong self-worth and accomplished a sale or two.

The Long Walk

When I was in high school, the geography teacher instructed us to memorize the states. I did the assignment, and when she asked for a student to name the states, I enthusiastically volunteered. I went to the front of the class to name the states, but I did not realize that I had never spoken in front of a class in all my years in school.

I Lost My Voice

I arrived at the front of the classroom after what seemed like an eternity. When I turned to face the class, I was so nervous that I lost my voice, and my vocal cords froze right there on the spot. The teacher reproached me, told me to sit down, and to not waste her time. Actually, I knew the states, but I lost my nerve.

Forget Your Failures

Many years later, motivational expert Earl Nightingale encouraged radio listeners to develop speaking skills to succeed in life. I felt inspired, but nevertheless, I lacked the confidence because I remembered my failure in the classroom from many years before.; Immediately after Nightingale's program, the radio station aired an advertisement for a public speaking seminar series. I thought it was a coincidence at the time, but actually it was good media placement. I decided to Jump In, and I telephoned the company for information. Fourteen weeks later, I completed the public speaking course with honors, and today I make a living, speaking to audiences all over the world.; In 1972, I opened an advertising agency, and in order to serve my customers, I had to travel all over the country, but I had a fear of flying. Remembering my fear of public speaking and how I conquered my fear, I Jumped In by calling a local flight training school. Within three months, I had an airplane pilot's license. Since that time, I have owned four airplanes, and today I fly commercially over 50,000 miles a year. Although I love every minute that I am in the air, I do not enjoy the airline delays and cancellations that result in hours of waiting in airports.; What is it that you have been putting off? What is it that you are uncomfortable with? What is it that you would do, if only you could get past the initial shock?; Make a What Is It list, and take action to Jump In. Remember that; If you wait until you are in the mood, you will never get wet above the ankles. Take the plunge... Headfirst.

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Joe Bonura
Joe Bonura & Associates, Inc.
Website: www.bonura.com
407 Landis Lakes Court
Louisville, KY 40245
(800) 444-3340 toll free
(502) 244-0087 phone
E-mail: sales@bonura.com

About Joe Bonura

His background is unique. Joe owned and operated a highly successful advertising agency for 18 years. During that time, he found his advertising campaigns were more effective when he educated his clients in the areas of sales and service. He conducted training seminars for his clients as added value. Word spread that Joe was a quality speaker and more and more people asked him to speak. The demand became so high that he sold the agency to three of his associates to start his own speaking and consulting company, Joe Bonura & Associates, Inc.

Joe is past President of the Kentucky Speakers Association and a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a prestigious designation earned by only 8% of the 3,600 member National Speakers Association. Joe presently serves on the board of directors of NSA.

He is author of the audio learning systems "Three-Dimensional Selling®" and "Turning Customer Satisfaction Into Customer Excitement®." He is author of the book Throw the Rabbit—The Ultimate Approach to Three-Dimensional Selling.

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