Did you watch “American Idol” this week? A great example of pain aversion was documented right in front of your eyes.
Let’s chat about pain aversion today; it’s important to be aware of pain aversion in yourself. And to recognize it in others. What is pain aversion? It’s putting off something that might be a little painful now, even if it will cause more pain later.
Back to “Idol.” The executive producers of “American Idol” had a conversation with Jermaine Jones, a contestant with a big, beautiful, bass voice. They filmed and aired this conversation. It was incredibly hard to watch. The producers told the singer they became aware of outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was going to have to leave the show. When they asked him, “Why didn’t you say something? We could have possibly helped you with this.”
American Idol image via Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com
“I just was scared, nervous. I didn’t want to get judged. I didn’t want to get penalized,” was his response. That’s pain aversion, right in your face, folks! How did he not think, as he stepped on stage, on television in front of 20 million people every week, he was not going to be found out? Pain aversion.
How this applies to working with buyers
Lately in my coaching group, Levels, we have been talking about working only with buyers using the Getting Appointment Process (Buyer GAP). Some of the members of the group are overachieving and working only with buyers who are prequalified or preapproved (stay with me for a while, so I can explain why you need to remove those words from your vocabulary).
As they are making this switch (finally removing pain aversion from their business) to implement this process … they are running into a few buyers who resist getting preapproved or prequalified (ugh … those words again). Not many, mind you … for example, one member said “about 40 percent” … another member said “only 1 out of 7.”
So we talked about why a “buyer” would avoid getting prequalified or preapproved (are these words bothering you yet?). Pain aversion.
Maybe they are afraid their credit is bad. Maybe they are afraid they can’t afford as much for a home as they hope. Maybe they are afraid a collection or debt will pop up. So it’s just easier to avoid it, right? It doesn’t make sense, but neither does going on TV in front of 20 million people every week with a warrant out for your arrest.
Be aware of pain aversion in yourself and start to recognize it in others … it will do wonders for you.
Now let’s talk about prequalified and preapproval …
Think about these words for a moment. Sit back in your chair and think about these phrases: get qualified … you have to qualify … you need approval … you have to be approved. How do these words/phrases make you feel? In your gut … how do you feel? I don’t feel good about having to qualify or get approval. It puts the idea of possible REJECTION in my head.
Know what am I going to do if there might be a possibility for rejection? I’ll avoid it. What’s that called? Exactly! Pain aversion.
When you remove pain aversion from a potential prospect’s mindset and life … you are going to be overflowing with business.
On the coaching call we came up with better words and phrases and decided to never use prequalified and preapproved again. What are you going to say? What words or phrases will you use? Now is the time to decide.
Tell us your great ideas for helping a buyer get over the fear of “prequalifying” in the comment box below.
