I’ve been in this business since 1972 and haven’t given up yet! Becoming a part of my client’s plans and finding out the exact reason for their trip really helps in putting together what they want. Sometimes, I have to dig pretty deep, especially “first-timers.” As time goes on, I often find out more than necessary…almost to the point that I feel I should help pay for one of their kids college tuition! Some can bring tears to your eyes…

The internet is a great research tool. People use it as such all the time, myself included. After all is said and done, though, people who want service and the assurance that their trip will go as planned, will more than likely turn to a travel agent to make it happen. Hopefully – it’s me!

Thanks again. I truly enjoy reading your information. I’m the perfect example that “Yes, you can teach an old dog (or “old gal” as my grand daughter calls me) new tricks!”

Have a great day!
Elaine

All I’m saying is that it’s important to realize that when the patient comes in for an adjustment, we are not really there to “help” them. They are helping themselves. We are there to participate in the process of them helping themselves through us.

In the travel agent industry, you could look at your clients and think about what exactly you’re participating in. For example, is your client booking a business trip they don’t really want to go on but have to due to their job? Are they booking their first vacation in years because they’re burned out? Are they booking their honeymoon plans? Are they booking a flight to attend a personal development conference?

The point is that people don’t travel for no reason. There is always a why. You are there to participate in the process of them going through this trip in their lives. If you book 500 trips a year, one trip may not seem like a big deal to you, but for the person this trip could be something they remember for the rest of their lives. You get to participate in making that trip special, memorable and enjoyable. I would say that makes your job more important than ever.

These people are choosing to call you instead of booking online – that means that they would also like to experience a pleasurable process of booking a trip with another human being participating in the process.

It’s a subtle difference, but it’s huge in terms of your thinking. When we stop trying to “help” and instead realize we’re there to participate, often times we stop trying to inject our values into everything and instead realize that at each moment people are learning something.

I’m not sure how else I can explain it, but when you grasp the deeper meaning in the difference between those two words I think you’ll get a much stronger sense of purpose in your job, and you’ll realize that the Internet is not your enemy, it is simply another process people can go through. You’ll realize that your involvement in their lives goes beyond finding the “best deal” for them. And if for example, all travel agent jobs disappear because people don’t choose to involve you in that process anymore, instead choosing to book online or whatever, then you’ll realize that a perfect opportunity will flow into your life to participate in the lives of others doing something different outside of your business.

OK…what do you say to folks in my business? I’ve always said – “let me help make your travel dreams come true” or something similar…I’ve always been the “helper”. I’m not about to say – “are you ready to make your own travel arrangements?” That leads them right to the internet – my arch enemy!

Thanks a bunch…enjoy reading what you have to say.
Elaine Johnston

If it was right that people suffer so I can be a better person, then I don’t think this would be a perfect world at all.

I actually like the ad example a lot. I’m thinking about an adword campaign for my next eBook so this is very timely and helpful. Thanks.

Now lets see how the people we attract to our Blogs change as a result of our shift in thinking.

You know what’s funny? When I read your second statement it makes me want to read your Blog way more.

I’ve got to re-do my About Me page too. I wrote it 2 years ago and I think I may have “I’m here to help you” connotations in there as well.