Who can I help?

Who can I help?

Keeping that question in mind has changed everything for me.

In both my coaching practice and my online business, it all comes down to helping people, being of service. Whether it’s supporting someone with anxiety or stress, or mentoring them to build an online business, it all comes back to the same thing: helping people live a happier, easier life.

But I’ll be honest, for years I resisted sales. Like many people, I’d absorbed the idea that sales was seedy, manipulative, or pushy. So every time I talked about what I offered, it felt like I was bothering people.

I hear the same objections from others all the time: “I’m not a natural salesperson.” “I’m too introverted.” “I don’t want to pressure people.” “I don’t like the idea of persuading someone.” “I wouldn’t know what to say.”

All of these come from equating sales with taking rather than serving. It’s a deeply ingrained belief, and most of us feel defensive not only about selling something but also about being sold to.

This morning I read something by Steve Chandler about the value of choosing the direct approach, living in the now and making authentic connections with people.

There was a sentence that really stood out:

“It took practice, but the whole nature of my work eventually changed from a day full of trying to get myself to bother people, to a day full of seeing who I might be able to help.”

That really landed. Although things have shifted for me in recent years (I’ve stopped saying “it’s only me” when someone picks up my call !), there’s still a residue of apology, a sense I might be disturbing or bothering someone.

But here’s what I’ve realised: as soon as you think of service rather than sales, everything changes.

You don’t need to be a “natural.”

The best conversations are simply authentic. Pressure becomes invitation. Persuasion turns into explanation and understanding. Introverts bring deep listening and connection. And if you don’t know what to say? Just be curious about the other person and believe in what you offer.

Sales doesn’t need to be slick, pushy, or manipulative. It’s about showing up, connecting, and letting people decide if what you offer could help them.

The only real question to keep asking is:

Who can I help today?