Okay, so what do pharmaceutical sales representatives have in common with Samurai warriors, you ask?
A lot really.
Like the ancient Samurai warrior, the pharmaceutical sales professional must also focus on mastery, and survival – especially in today’s complex and competitive healthcare environment.
Samurai warriors had to practice their martial arts skills for years to master the techniques required to defeat an opponent in a sword-fight that lasted seconds.
Their repetitive training made their skills so ingrained – so instinctual – that they could execute their techniques and strategies in combat without even thinking.
Without the noise, distractions, and internal dialogue cluttering their minds.
Their minds were free - to be in the moment - without having to think about what to do next.
In martial arts, this Zen-concept is called "Mushin" (pronounced moo-shin).
Mushin = “No Mind.”
A lot really.
Like the ancient Samurai warrior, the pharmaceutical sales professional must also focus on mastery, and survival – especially in today’s complex and competitive healthcare environment.
Samurai warriors had to practice their martial arts skills for years to master the techniques required to defeat an opponent in a sword-fight that lasted seconds.
Their repetitive training made their skills so ingrained – so instinctual – that they could execute their techniques and strategies in combat without even thinking.
Without the noise, distractions, and internal dialogue cluttering their minds.
Their minds were free - to be in the moment - without having to think about what to do next.
In martial arts, this Zen-concept is called "Mushin" (pronounced moo-shin).
Mushin = “No Mind.”
This is an original hand painted calligraphy of Mushin (No-Mind), that was a gift from the mother-in-law of my martial arts teacher, B.C. Yu.
Now, back to you, the pharmaceutical sales professional...
Image © KevinHurlahe.com 2017 All Rights Reserved
While your “battle” for the time, attention, and the SALE of your product may not be a life or death struggle with your customer, there is still a lot riding on those precious few moments that you may get with him or her to execute your skills!
This is NOT the time to…
- Fumble for your words,
- Struggle to locate your selling resources,
- Or, to THINK about what YOU plan to DO or SAY while your customer is talking!
Rather, this IS the time FOR YOU TO BE IN THE MOMENT – fully!
Like the great undefeated Samurai warrior, Miyamoto Musashi...
Your mind should be free to instinctively respond to your customer and execute your skills and expertise by maintaining a state of:
Mushin
“No Mind!”
In part two of this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to put the Zen concept of Mushin into practice, so that you can learn how to prepare yourself to execute your pharmaceutical sales calls with the same confidence level legendary Samurai displayed in swordsmanship.
In the meantime, enjoy this 45 second video clip I found on YouTube titled, "No Mind," from the movie, “The Last Samurai,” as the American military captain (character played by Tom Cruise) learns the concept of Mushin.
Mushin
“No Mind!”
In part two of this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to put the Zen concept of Mushin into practice, so that you can learn how to prepare yourself to execute your pharmaceutical sales calls with the same confidence level legendary Samurai displayed in swordsmanship.
In the meantime, enjoy this 45 second video clip I found on YouTube titled, "No Mind," from the movie, “The Last Samurai,” as the American military captain (character played by Tom Cruise) learns the concept of Mushin.
RSS Feed