Three Word Podcast

Episode 298:Sales is a numbers game, but it is also an effectiveness game. The way you approach someone new can determine whether they lean in, listen, or shut the conversation down. Three Words:Your Approach Matters Episode Summary:In this episode, Lisa shares a real-life moment with a young pest control salesperson who was cold-knocking in her mom’s neighborhood. His effort, courage, and activity were impressive, but the conversation created a bigger lesson for every sales professional: activity matters, but the approach behind the activity matters even more. Lisa breaks down how salespeople can create better first impressions with new prospects by being more disarming, respectful, and curious. She also shares why tracking numbers is important, but improving effectiveness within those numbers is where real growth happens. Key Takeaways: First impressions open or close doorsBefore people understand what you sell, they decide how they feel about you. Your tone, words, and energy create the first layer of trust. A disarming approach lowers resistanceWhen you respect someone’s time and give them permission to say no, they may be more open to listening. Activity matters, but effective activity matters moreSales is not just a numbers game. It is an effective numbers game. The goal is not only to reach more people, but to create better conversations. Curiosity earns the next stepA strong approach does not lead with a pitch. It leads with awareness, relevance, and a thoughtful question. Small adjustments can change outcomesA better opening line, tone, question, or follow-up can turn the same amount of activity into stronger opportunities. Disarming Sales Example:“Hi, I know you were not expecting me, and I will be brief. I am working with a few families in the neighborhood around lawn care, and I am not sure if this is even something you need. Would it be okay if I asked you one quick question?” Reflection Questions: How am I approaching people who do not know me yet? Do I sound like I am trying to sell, or trying to understand? Am I tracking only my activity, or am I also tracking my effectiveness? What is one small adjustment I could make to my opening line this week? How can I make my first impression feel more respectful, calm, and helpful? This Week’s Challenge:Look at your numbers, then look deeper. Review your calls, emails, cold calls, or client outreach and ask: Where can I improve my effectiveness? Focus on one part of your approach, your opening line, tone, first question, or follow-up, and make it better this week. Memorable Line:“Your numbers tell part of the story. Your approach tells the rest.” Closing Thought:Sales is not about convincing people to care. It is about creating enough trust that they are willing to have a conversation. Three Words to Remember:Your Approach Matters Until Next Time. Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisathal/ http://threewordmeetings.com http://threewordpodcast

Episode Summary In this episode of The Three Word Podcast, Lisa talks directly to sales professionals about the real competitive edge in today’s market: focus. It’s not just about working harder or longer—it’s about defending the time and energy that actually grows your pipeline, your income, and your confidence. You’ll learn how to treat your focus like a revenue strategy, not a nice-to-have, and walk away with simple, repeatable habits you can put into practice this week. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why most sellers don’t have a time problem—they have a focus problem How top performers protect their prospecting and follow-up time The mindset shift from “things happening to me” to owning your day What real sales focus looks like in day-to-day activity Three simple moves you can use today to get back in control of your business Key Moments & Flow (5–6 minutes) 00:00 – Welcome & SetupLisa introduces the three words Protect Your Focus and explains why distraction is every seller’s true competitor. 01:00 – Focus as a Revenue StrategyThe difference between a reactive seller and a creator seller—and how the same 8 hours can produce very different results. 02:00 – Breaking Down the Three Words Protect – Guard your prospecting, follow-up, and thinking time Your – Owning your choices, your priorities, and your effort Focus – Choosing what matters most and giving it your full attention 03:15 – Three Practical Moves to Use Today Block a daily Revenue Power Hour Choose your Top 3 priorities each morning Use a “Not Now” List to park distractions and stay on task 04:30 – What Sellers Need to Hear TodayThe reminder that knowing isn’t the problem—consistent execution is. 05:00 – Weekly Challenge & CloseLisa gives a simple 5-day challenge to help sellers feel more in control, more productive, and more confident in their pipeline. One Big Takeaway Your focus is your advantage. When you protect your focus, you protect your future revenue. This Week’s Challenge For the next 5 business days: Schedule a daily Revenue Power Hour on your calendar. Write down your Top 3 revenue-driving actions each morning. Keep a Not Now List and push distractions to after your focus time. At the end of the week, ask: Did I feel more in control of my day? Did my meaningful activity go up? Do I feel better about my pipeline? Team / Sales Meeting Discussion Questions If you’re a sales leader or using this with your team: Where are we losing the most focus during the day? What would it look like if everyone protected one Revenue Power Hour daily? How can we support each other in saying “Not now” to low-value distractions? Until Next time. Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisathal/ http://threewordmeetings.com http://threewordpodcast

In Episode 282, you will learn about how applying the 3 C's can improve your life and business. What if the most uncomfortable 15 minutes of your day—those first few cold calls, that tough follow-up—were the exact actions that guaranteed you hit your quota? That’s not a theory. That’s a decision. In this episode I share three ideas to own this week: Change, Courage, and Confidence. By listening to and applying the 3 C's into your daily life, you will learn how to cultivate confidence, build consistency, and harness courage to overcome challenges and achieve your personal and professional goals. These principles are not just theoretical, but practical tools that have the power to transform your life, empowering you to take actionable steps, stay motivated, and unlock your full potential while navigating life's obstacles with resilience and determination. Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisathal/ http://threewordmeetings.com http://threewordpodcast

Episode 280: This episode is about turning Uncertainty and Stress into a competitive advantage. When the numbers aren't there and a key client goes dark, how do you lead? This episode tackles the immense stress of uncertainty head-on, drawing from the work of psychologist Dr. Ellen Langer. Discover how to reframe uncertainty not as a threat, but as an opportunity to activate your highest level of performance and strategic thinking. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why uncertainty is the natural state and not the source of your stress. How to shift from reactive autopilot to a strategic, mindful response. A simple technique to ground yourself in the present when pressure mounts. How to use "Maybe Thinking" to break free from worst-case scenarios and see new pathways. The "Controllable Variables Scan" to focus your energy and restore your sense of agency. A guided 60-second practice to immediately apply these powerful tools. One actionable experiment to transform your approach to challenges this week. Episode Timestamps: [00:00] The High-Stakes Scenario: Navigating quarter-end pressure. [00:45] Introduction: Flipping the script on stress and uncertainty. [01:15] Technique 1: "Notice Five New Things" to break out of autopilot. [02:05] Technique 2: "Maybe Thinking" to reframe catastrophic thoughts. [02:48] Technique 3: The "Controllable Variables Scan" to focus on what you can influence now. [03:30] Guided Practice: A 60-second exercise to integrate all three techniques. [04:35] Your Weekly Experiment: One small step to take when you feel stressed by an unknown. [04:55] Closing & Call to Action. Actionable Takeaways: Ground Yourself: The next time you feel a wave of stress, stop and actively notice five new things in your environment. This pulls you out of a reactive loop and into the present moment. Challenge Assumptions: When your mind defaults to a negative outcome (e.g., "We're going to lose this account"), counter it with at least two "maybe" statements (e.g., "Maybe they are reviewing our proposal," "Maybe this is a chance to add more value"). Focus on Control: In any uncertain situation, identify the single next action that is 100% within your control. Execute on that one thing to regain momentum and a sense of agency. Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisathal/ http://threewordmeetings.com http://threewordpodcast Subscribe and share this episode with a colleague who is ready to excel under pressure. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

What if we adopted a more authentic and sustainable approach to growth? I explore this in my latest podcast episode, focusing on a new mantra: Make it until you make it.

Episode 276: Is there something you have wanted to improve in your life or business? This episode explores how to unlock your potential. Let's start with this question. What's the one thing in your life that you're striving to improve? Whether it's your health, finances, relationships, or business, I'm here to help you take the next step. So, what's your game plan for unlocking your Potential? We all have the best intentions to improve. You don't have to do it alone. Are you open to some direction or coaching to help you get there faster? This week, we're exploring Unlocking Your Potential and the powerful benefits of gaining another perspective to help you uncover your next level. It's a journey that promises fresh insights and exciting opportunities. Let me share a personal example: I love golf. I am a 10-handicap, and my goal is to be an 8. I came to realize that to get there, I need another perspective to analyze the opportunities to unlock my Potential. So, I went to Golf Tech and met with Jeff. Jeff measured various aspects of my swing to provide me with valuable insights for improvement. Key insights I couldn't see, such as body motion sensors, Club movement when hitting the ball, including ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and club path. All these insights that I wouldn't be able to see. He also observed the shifting of my body through the swing to identify areas for improvement. He observed my swing speed and tempo to identify areas for improvement. The 3D Swing analysis captures all the data points to help me refine my game. Once we have all the data, it's time to implement it. This is one of the most complicated steps. For me, I had to make a few changes in my game—a new way of shifting my body and changing my swing path to maximize every shot. The journey of practicing the new swing began, I must admit, it felt awkward and unnatural. ( and sore from using different muscles). But I was determined. It takes time to learn and implement something new, as it is so easy to retreat to what is comfortable. My advice is to keep pushing and practicing the new pathway, even when it doesn't feel perfect. Remember, persistence and progress are key. I remember playing golf that week after my first lesson. Implementing what Jeff had coached me to do. It wasn't pretty for many shots, and I wanted to go back to the old swing I knew. However, I kept working through the misses and, on occasion, would see the results from his recommendations. Can you relate? You start to implement something new, and you don't get the immediate results, so you go back to what you know. The real opportunity lies in working through the misses or shortfalls and staying the course. Another opportunity, once you get another's perspective, is to practice what you learned. As you do, you start to create a new pattern of learning and success. After my lesson, I would go and practice this new swing to anchor it in my body. I was trying to create new muscle memory. Here's your chance to take charge. Identify one area of your life you want to improve or get to the next level. If you're in sales and want to improve your new business, what would you have to learn to do this? Can you ask your manager for insights on their views of who you're targeting or what your approach is when asking for that first meeting? Can you put the found knowledge into practice every day so you too create a new muscle memory of setting effective meetings? Or do you need someone to look at what you're currently doing to gain another perspective? Hire a coach to identify your opportunities and help you achieve your goals. In many cases, we all have the data; we need another to help guide us to our next level. Here are three key benefits of hiring a coach to help you achieve your goals: Clarity and Focus: A coach helps you define your goals with precision and creates a clear roadmap to achieve them. They guide you to prioritize what truly mat

Episode 274 is about stepping beyond your boundaries and comfort zone. Real growth starts with one step. Today's podcast is about the lesson I learned while helping a neighbor who had hip surgery and needed some support walking her two-year-old, energetic pup, Buddy. I will share three actionable tips to encourage you to take the first step! Stepping Beyond Your Comfort Zone. It's a journey we've all embarked on at some point. Whether you're a seasoned sales professional or an ambitious individual striving for success, Buddy's moment of growth is a powerful metaphor for growth and success. We often find ourselves confined within familiar routines, within a comfort zone that feels secure and predictable. But these boundaries, while providing a sense of security, can also hinder us from seizing opportunities and achieving greater success. Here are three actionable tips to help you take that first step toward breaking your boundaries: 1. Recognize Your Comfort Zone The first step in leaving your comfort zone is recognizing it. It's like turning on a light in a dark room-suddenly, you can see the patterns or routines that feel "safe" but are holding you back from truly excelling. For example, are you sticking to the same sales script because you're scared of trying a different approach? Ask yourself, "What am I avoiding because it feels uncomfortable?" This awareness is the foundation of progress and a powerful tool on your journey to personal growth. It's a moment of enlightenment that empowers you to take control of your growth. 2. Start With Small Risks Stepping outside your comfort zone doesn't mean making a giant leap all at once. Much like Buddy taking cautious steps into unfamiliar territory, you can start with small, manageable risks. If cold calling intimidates you, start by reaching out to just one new prospect each day. If networking events feel overwhelming, aim to introduce yourself to two new people per event. These small steps, when taken consistently, build confidence and momentum. They're like stepping stones, each one bringing you closer to your goals and further from your comfort zone. They reassure you that you're capable of more than you think. For instance, if you're a sales professional, you could start by making a call to a potential client you've been hesitant to approach, or if you're a team member, you could volunteer to lead a small project that's outside your usual responsibilities. 3. Seek Support and Encourage Yourself Sometimes, overcoming fear requires a helping hand. Just as I picked Buddy up to cross into uncharted terrain, you, too, may need support to face unfamiliar challenges. It could be a mentor guiding you through a tough decision, a colleague brainstorming creative solutions, or even reading motivational stories of those who have walked a similar path. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Most importantly, become your own cheerleader—remind yourself why taking this step matters. Self-encouragement is a powerful tool in your journey of personal growth. It's essential to acknowledge your progress, no matter how small, and to remind yourself of the potential rewards that come from stepping outside your comfort zone. It's a source of self-assurance and confidence that you can rely on. Stepping outside your boundaries doesn't guarantee immediate success, but it brings new experiences, perspectives, and possibilities — progress that staying stagnant cannot achieve. Buddy didn't discover a whole new world overnight, but with every step and nudge, he explored something he had never seen or smelled before. Likewise, your first steps might feel vulnerable, but they are the pathway to growth. Remember, the potential rewards that come from stepping outside your comfort zone are worth the initial discomfort. Take a moment to reflect today. What's one step you can take to move closer to your own goals? Whether it's reaching out to a new client that has been on your list