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What a few years it ’ s been ! Tell us what you ’ ve been up to whilst we ’ ve ( mostly ) been kept in . Pre-lockdown I had transitioned from solely running my sales training business , now SMASH IT ! Training , and had started speaking at events as the demand was high . It was all going great , and I had started to build up a portfolio of some respectable clientele .
Lockdown had a huge effect . I had gone from speaking at events all over the country to nothing overnight , it was difficult to contend with both from a business perspective and a motivational perspective for my team . We decided not to furlough , and to pivot to virtual events which has now become the norm , but at the time it was quite daunting . Truthfully , finishing an event and finding myself still in my spare bedroom didn ’ t quite have the same euphoric effect as walking off stage .
A couple of months in , and I think the novelty of the initial lockdown wore off . I had more people than ever approaching me saying that they felt directionless , and mental health was at an all-time low across the UK . I knew I had to do something to help . That ’ s when I embarked on the journey of writing SMASH IT ! The Art of Getting What YOU Want .
That summer , I also found out that I had been nominated for and awarded an MBE for services to Entrepreneurship and Business . It was a real ‘ pinch me ’ moment . I had never expected any kind of recognition for the work I did as ‘ The Entrepreneur ' s Godmother ’, I had always just wanted to help entrepreneurs to succeed . It was amazing getting to celebrate with my friends , family , my team and my ‘ mentees ’ when the time came .
Smash IT ! is a very modern book how did you come up with the idea ? The reception of my first book , Secrets of Successful Sales was immense , I received so many messages and calls from people telling me that they had used the sales teachings in my book in their everyday
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lives to get what they want . Somebody said they used it to negotiate when buying a house , and another person told me that they used some of the content to fix their broken relationship . This feedback combined with the low mental health of the nation post-lockdown felt like a calling to me . I knew I had to write another book .
The aim of SMASH IT ! was to translate my sales teachings into something that people could use in their everyday lives to achieve their goals . After all , everything we do in life is a sale , whether that ’ s convincing somebody to make you a cup of tea , negotiating with your teenager to clean their bedroom , or something as large as planning to move to another country . Not only do you have to convince yourself to achieve the goals you set yourself , but quite often it involves other people too .
I also launched an app alongside SMASH IT ! to guide the reader . Being neurodiverse myself , I ’ ve always struggled with reading and digesting books fully . I felt it was a really important step as I genuinely believe this book should be accessible to everybody despite age , disability or background .
What does SMASH IT ! walk you through ? Quite often we become complacent , and I believe that ’ s because we set unachievable goals . SMASH IT ! teaches you how to set realistic goals that you can stick to , whilst walking you through the exact steps to make it happen . There are only two things stopping you from getting what you want - you and other people . My book teaches you the fool proof SMASH IT ! method that not only helps you influence others but convinces you that you can do anything you set your mind to .
What is your top tip for sticking to your goals ? I genuinely believe it ’ s a process . I think the most important aspect is making sure that you ’ ve set realistic goals , and it is awfully cliché , but knowing your ‘ why ’. In this social media world full of comparison , it can be easy to set goals based on what other people have . When Jenny from the
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block is driving around in a new Mercedes , our goals become jaded and we automatically think that ’ s what we want . When it ’ s something material , my top tip is to take a step back and think ‘ WHY do I want this ?’. Often something as simple as waiting a few days before making a decision can help us to identify the real reason why we want something .
Your outlook is always so positive . How do you keep that mindset ? Honestly , my biggest go-to when I feel my mindset slipping is to focus on the things that I can control , not on the things that I can ’ t . I could spend all day stressing over things out of my power , but what would be the point ?
When you ’ re not on top of your tasks , it can become overwhelming and you can feel like everything is spiralling out of control . I always utilise ‘ Alison Edgar ’ s Big Balls ’ a technique to manage tasks and time , looking at basketballs , tennis balls , and ping pong balls rather than a linear to-do list . I explain all about it in my book , but it ’ s gold-dust , and I ’ ve rolled it out with some of the world ’ s largest companies all over the globe !
Tell us how it felt to receive your MBE Receiving my MBE was the most surreal moment I have ever had . I honestly couldn ’ t believe that I ( a wee dyslexic lassie from the tap of the hill in Clydebank ), was stood in front of Prince William about to be granted one of the highest honours in all the land . I will forever be grateful to everybody who has enabled my journey to aid entrepreneurship and business throughout the UK .
What are your own goals for 2022 ? After such a whirlwind of a year in 2021 , I can ’ t wait to see what this year holds . I ’ ve set a few specific goals including walking the West Highland Way , Speaking at Xerocon , and being on The Apprentice : You ’ re Fired .
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Alison is speaking at the next Business Exchange Big Breakfast at Cumberwell Park on Thursday 10th February . Find out more on page 47 .
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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2022 13 |