This was part of a conversation that was related to me recently by someone who is terminally ill. And it’s not the first time I have heard this raised as an issue, in fact it happens more than you might think.
The scenario goes something like this…
Person A has a terminal illness
Person B finds out that Person A has a terminal illness
Person B is involved with a MLM business/alternative health practitioner of some sort/alternate lifestyle advocate etc
Without any other information or conversation, Person B then says to Person A, “My … can heal you”.
Let me say first, I don’t doubt that the intent of Person B is pure and their belief absolute (in most cases). That’s not the issue here.
The issue here is that Person B has not found anything at all out about Person A, about their journey, about what they have and haven’t tried and most importantly, they have not take the time to discover Person A’s treatment/healthcare goals. They are just pitching. To use an often quoted analogy – that’s like asking someone to marry you on the first contact!!
This approach in no way respects Person A.
All of us are individuals, sovereign beings, with the right to choose what is and isn’t right for our journeys – in all aspects. We have the right to accept any/all treatment and we have the right to refuse any/all treatment.
What Person B is offering may be advantageous to Person A, but Person B can have no awareness of that without getting to know them first.
People with a terminal illness are not just sales opportunities.
They are fellow humans first. They are people on an incredibly challenging path – one that unless you have lived it, none of us can know the full depth of that experience. They are people that have probably been to hell and back with what they have lived and experienced. They are the people that get to determine what is and isn’t right for their path.
If you have something that you believe may be of assistance with someone who has a terminal illness, have a conversation with them; get to know them; find out what’s important and not important to them. Perhaps find out what their journey has looked like, what they have tried, what did work, what hasn’t worked. Do all of this BEFORE you even consider pitching. And even when you do mention your offering, present it as an invitation – eg, “I do this, would you like to know more?”
In truth, this suggestion applies to each and every person who has their own business and/or is in the business of sales/marketing. Get to know you individual potential client first before launching into your miraculous solution to their problem. You may just find that you have more success too.
Peace & blessings, Sharon xxx