Mission: Change your mindset

When you think of the Special Forces the first thing that comes to mind is probably “strength”. There has been a rising popularity in programmes featuring elite service personal such as ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’; which often leaves the humble viewer thinking ‘there’s no way I could run that distance or carry that weight’.

As we sit in the comfort of our own homes and watch the miraculous achievements, it’s impossible not to compare ourselves and come to the conclusion that the biggest difference between the average person and the elite Special Forces is their incredible mindset and self-belief.

We can’t all be Ant Middleton, but we can apply the principles behind his thinking in our day to day life to achieve more.

Structure

Creating a winning strategic mindset does not come overnight, but there are clear steps you can take to work towards a more productive planning model. The creation of a strong structure is beneficial to all employees and all applications of life, as it allows space for considered yet creative decisions, even within the more intense periods of work.

Combat your subconscious

We tend to associate any planning with the working environment, but it’s also evident in the more menial, day to day parts of life. The simplest example that we commonly try to sweep under the rug is healthy eating. Failing to make your salad the night before can leave you rushing in the morning and in turn, ending up with a junk meal for lunch (meaning you’ll have to start that diet next Monday). Similarly, failing to prepare a vision and a purpose before executing a project can leave you in hot water when it comes to creating ideas and solutions.

Plan ahead, to ensure you maximise your time. If you feel like you don’t have enough hours in the week, designate an hour window to a specific task you’re struggling to fit in and stick to it. Power hours are tried and tested, and they work!

Clear your mind

It’s good to declutter as much as possible, make sure you have a place where you can mentally dump all the tasks swirling around in your head. Whether this is a scheduling system or just a hand-written list, being methodical can open up your ability to process work and move through it quicker and more efficiently.

Defeat the defeatist within

Be careful not to create a pessimistic environment in your own workplace. Don’t be negative, it rubs off on others and before you know it you’ve got a team of defeatists – this environment will be a complete car crash for productivity (in work and at home with family).

Having a sunny outlook on life and a strategy in place for potential issues or even disaster recovery, removes the need for grumbles and moans, keeping spirits and work rates high.

Be positive

When it comes to insurance, some younger people tend to use aggregator websites as it is a quick fix, but make sure you don’t rule the youngsters out of your target audience, as you could end up with a defeatist attitude yourself (the SAS would not approve). Most people would like to be guided through the process, especially first-time buyers. This can be a stressful time for them to say the least, with the majority of them feeling as though they are going into the process blindly. Help to remove the stress from the situation by completing a quote on their behalf within the mortgage process. It’s hard to turn something down when someone has done the leg work for you! With your industry knowledge and experience, you can help them to understand what their insurance needs are and that you are best placed to support them with obtaining the right cover.

Adapt, evolve, move on 

With advances in technology and new ways of working in an ever-changing society, being able to move with the times is key to being successful and minimising your own stress.  Be vigilant to changing trends. Utilise new technology to free up menial tasks and don’t forget to reach out to peers for their reconnaissance.  By using your networks, you can tap into huge amounts of market information and new developments, along with testing new ideas and plans.

Knowledge is power

Go behind enemy lines; complete a quotation on the aggregator websites with your clients and highlight the essential elements that are missing from quotations. It’s hard to argue with the facts when they are right in front of you.

What do you do on your morning commute? If, like a lot of people, you spend it sitting on public transport, you could take the time to catch-up with the latest news in the industry or educational material via apps and podcasts. This will improve your knowledge base so you can tackle any potential curve-ball questions from clients, with ease.

If you’re a registered Source broker, you can visit the LearningLab to access educational resources and build up your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.

Tell war stories

Use real claim examples where people have suffered a huge loss and had to pay out extra due to the perils of being underinsured by aggregators. By tailoring your session with each client you can create a unique experience and place yourself as a trusted guide in this maze of protection.

For any further support on selling GI as part of your broker business, contact your Regional Sales Manager. Find our contact details here.