Are You a Northbound Train?
- The Chronic Optimist
- Aug 1, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 11, 2020
Northbound train is a great concept usually used in the sales world. It states that there are four types of potential customers (trains):

4 Types of Trains:
Southbound Train: Doesn’t have any money or any interest in what you are selling
Eastbound Train: Has the money to purchase your product but doesn’t have any interest in doing so.
Westbound Train: Has the interest in purchasing your product but lacks the money to buy it.
Northbound Train: Has both the money and the interest to purchase your product.
The suggestion regarding this is for the salesperson to focus almost all their attention on the Northbound trains and not waste time or resources on the other three.
I have tweaked this concept to apply to the individual seeking to achieve certain goals or outcomes. In other words, do you have all the qualities that are necessary of someone who is going to realize success in whatever areas or endeavors you decide to engage in? Answer these questions:
Do you have or can you get healthy self-esteem so you fully believe you deserve to succeed?
Do you have a strong desire to succeed and live the life of your dreams?
Are you ready to commit to long-term, consistent effort?
Are you willing to learn, grow and change in areas that may be necessary?
Are you prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals?
If you can answer yes to all those questions, you are a Northbound train and with proper planning, consistent effort and continued focus on your objectives it will be difficult for you NOT to reach your goals. If on the other hand you cannot answer yes to all of those questions, it may be best for you to put some effort into adjusting your mindset to where you can honestly answer yes-or just try to make yourself as comfortable as possible where you currently are. Without all cylinders firing at the same time, there may be great frustration as success will remain elusive despite effort.




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