“Always be closing.”  The famous sales term never really entered my vocabulary until I started the http://www.squidoo.com/Alternative-MBA.

It feels like a deceitful, slimy idea. Inauthentic. Having an agenda, always on the lookout for the next opportunity.

Watching http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TROhlThs9qY
I felt two conflicting emotions about this idea. On one hand, I’m turned off by dogma and the negative way of motivating people. On the other hand, it’s exciting to change my framework and to think differently about selling, switching up the rules I usually work with. It didn’t take long to formulate my own way of thinking about it and I found, since reality is an illusion, an infinitely more productive and positive way to “always be closing.” I changed the set of constraints around myself and instantly opportunities and ideas opened up.

What if “Always be closing” meant:

Being your best self. Always. Showing your true nature and charisma; the best parts of yourself. Exuding confidence and generosity and gratefulness. Believing you’re truly worth it enough to show it to the rest of the world. Being undaunted by competition and standards and measurements and using every opportunity to let others know you believe in yourself. Looking for the next opportunity that creates meaning or beauty or prosperity.

If you think about what you can offer to others at any given time, “always closing” becomes a valuable tool to help them. To show them through example they have every right to be their best self, to exhibit that self in public, to show it to others.

Dimming our own light to let others shine does no service to the people of the world. Instead, shine brighter and allow others to do the same. If everyone is always closing all the time, showcasing the best of who they are and can be, we’ll all shine brighter.

Looking at it this way, i’m much more likely to “always be closing.”

That wasn’t a typo. I’m just averse to writing the phrase “fake it till you make it.” I’m also averse to hearing it and saying it to others. It never feels right, even when I know what it’s supposed to convey.

I understand the idea behind it, and agree wholeheartedly that you should believe in yourself. Fully. To the point where people believe what you say even if you don’t believe it.

This may be a game of semantics, but in our world, semantics matter. Words matter. They carry power, and we’ve seen the incredible power of a kind word, the unforgettable destruction of a negative word. That’s why great leaders inspire us-their words resonate because they remind us of who we really are, we see in ourselves the qualities which we admire in those we respect.

In our heads, the conversations we have with ourselves and the words we speak influence our actions. Thoughts are things. They become words, then actions. If we’re trying to build a tribe or start a company or lead a movement or believe in ourselves, why choose to start with something that uses the word “fake” even as a passing phrase?

Benjamin Zander says that this entire world is a game. I agree. Our realities are subjective based on our desires, needs, and dreams. The strategies we use and the words we say have an impact on the events and people in our lives, and games are played on many levels.

Why then, don’t we play a game that allows us to win? Why not, instead of “faking it” we remind ourselves of the potential, the power, the influence we already possess? Why don’t we remember we were born with these inherent qualities? Why do we need to fake it at all, when reminding ourselves of what we already have is good enough?

“Faking it” doesn’t motivate. It leaves me tired and unsure. Reminding myself of the courage and abilities I have, leaves me invigorated, ready to tackle.

Remembering your true nature takes away any desire to “fake it”-to be someone who you’re not. You realize that where you’re at is exactly where you need to be. Working hard and competing and learning new things and improving your skills are great things to do. Necessary, if you want to succeed. But to do those things, “faking it” will only get you so far. To push past the finish line, remembering your true nature will get you across into the winner’s circle.

You’re a powerhouse. Of energy. Of enthusiasm. Of passion. Of intention. Of purpose. You have the skills and abilities to get what you want and to help others do the same.

Why not remember that instead next time you feel the need to “fake it”?