Do you feel uncomfortable with the idea of “selling”? Are you someone who equates sales with pressure, scripts, and rejection? What if you redefined sales as something far more valuable—your ability to communicate, influence, and make an impact? In this post, we’ll unpack 21 powerful ideas from Brian Tracy’s Be a Sales Superstar to help you reframe your mindset and sharpen your skillset in both business and life.
Sales isn’t about manipulation—it’s about influence, communication, and impact. Whether you're trying to grow a business, pitch a project, or inspire your team, you're selling. You're selling your ideas, your solutions, and your value.
Most people struggle with selling because they’re not passionate about what they’re offering, or they associate sales with pressure and rejection. But when you're aligned with your purpose and truly believe in your product or service, your desire to communicate becomes natural. Persuasion becomes service. And closing a sale becomes solving a problem.
So whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or creative professional—these 21 tips from Brian Tracy will help you become more effective at communicating your value and serving others in a meaningful way.
1. Commit to Excellence
Make a decision to become one of the best in your field. Mastery starts with intention and commitment.
2. Act as If It Were Impossible to Fail
Fear stops most people from starting. But when you take action with confidence—despite fear—you gain momentum.
3. Put Your Whole Heart into Selling
Whatever you’re doing, go all in. People can feel when you’re fully invested, and that trust goes a long way.
4. Position Yourself as a Professional
See yourself as an advisor, not just a salesperson. Be the trusted expert your customer can rely on.
5. Prepare Thoroughly for Every Call
Preparation builds confidence. Knowing your client, your product, and your plan gives you the upper hand.
6. Dedicate Yourself to Continuous Learning
Sales is a skill, and like any skill, it can be improved with consistent study and practice.
7. Accept Complete Responsibility for Results
Your success is your responsibility. No excuses. Own the outcome—good or bad—and adjust as needed.
8. Become Brilliant on the Basics
Every effective sale has a structure. Mastering the basics—greeting, qualifying, presenting, and closing—is non-negotiable.
9. Build Long-Term Relationships
People buy from those they like and trust. Invest in people, not just transactions.
10. Be a Financial Improvement Specialist
Demonstrate how your product provides a return on investment. Don’t sell a product—sell a result.
11. Use Education-Based Selling
Today’s consumers are informed. Help them make a better decision by providing valuable information.
12. Build Mega-Credibility
Your presentation, your confidence, your testimonials—they all contribute to your credibility. Show up as a pro.
13. Handle Objections Effectively
Prepare for resistance. If you know the concerns your customer might have, you can address them confidently.
14. Deal with Price Professionally
Be proud of your pricing. Stand behind the value you offer. Confidence in pricing creates confidence in the product.
15. Know How to Close the Sale
Ask for the sale with clarity and confidence. Learn trial closes, assumptive closes, and closing techniques that suit your style.
16. Make Every Minute Count
Your time is your most limited resource. Don’t spend it—invest it wisely.
17. Apply the 80/20 Rule
Focus on the prospects, clients, and actions that yield the highest return. Not all efforts are created equal.
18. Keep Your Sales Funnel Full
Prospecting never stops. Keep a steady flow of new opportunities coming in so you’re never desperate to close.
19. Set Clear Income and Sales Goals
What gets measured gets improved. Define your targets and track your progress consistently.
20. Manage Your Territory and Time
Group your activities, batch your calls, and use your time efficiently. Sales success depends on time strategy.
21. Practice the Seven Secrets of Sales Success
While Tracy leaves this last one open-ended in this context, the point is clear: success in sales—and life—is about habits, consistency, and discipline. Your daily habits will determine your long-term results.
Whether or not you have “sales” in your job title, you are constantly selling. You sell your ideas, your value, your vision. And that means learning to sell is learning to lead.
The good news? Sales is a learnable skill. Every tip on this list is something you can study, practice, and improve.
If you want to create more income, more impact, and more confidence in your business or career—learn to sell. Start with passion. Add discipline. Practice daily. And stay committed to growth.
Let this be your reminder: your ability to communicate and persuade is one of the most valuable assets you’ll ever develop. Use it well—and use it often.