One night a wife found her husband (a salesperson) standing over
their baby's crib. Silently she watched him. As he stood looking down
at the sleeping infant, she saw on his face a mixture of emotions:
disbelief, doubt, delight, enchantment, amazement, skepticism.
Touched by this unusual display and the deep emotions it aroused, with eyes glistening she slipped her arm around her husband.
"A penny for your thoughts," she said.
"It's amazing!" the salesman (husband) replied. "I just can't see how anybody can make a crib like that for only $46.50."
Moral of the story. True sales professionals know they have to have
some down time, some unwind time from their day to day sales routine.
When they are with their family, they are with their family. Their
mind, their focus, their attention is on their family during these
times. If business thoughts are getting in, your family is not your
focus. Learn to unwind.
"Family is not an important thing. It's everything." - Michael J. Fox
A very successful businessman had a meeting with his new
son-in-law. I welcome you into the family,” said the man. “To show you
how much we care for you, I am making you a 50-50 partner in my
business. All you have to do is go to the factory everyday and learn the
operation.”
The son-in-law interrupted. “I hate factories. I can’t stand the noise.”
“I see.” replied the father-in-law, “Well, then you’ll work in the office and take charge of some of the operations.”
“I hate office work,” said the son-in-law. “I can’t stand being stuck behind a desk.”
"Wait
a minute," said the father-in-law. “I just made you half owner of a
money-making industry, but you don’t like factories, and won’t work in
an office. What am I going to do with you?”
“Easy,” said the son-in-law. “Buy me out.”
Moral of the story. True sales professionals know that in order to succeed at sales, or anything else at life, you are going to have to work for it. Unless of course, you're able to marry into money. By the way, if you were able to talk your way into a marriage for money, you've just sold yourself! When it comes to sales, you're a natural!
"I grew up in a family business.... that really has provided me the core of my belief in American small business, and in America's ability to grow and operate important businesses that can compete and be successful." - Karen Mills
Show me a salesman who is greeted with smiles and compliments
every evening, has his jacket hung up and his shoes taken off, has
cushions arranged for him before he sits down, is made to feel
comfortable and welcome in every way and is then served a delicious
meal - and I'll show you a man who is a regular in a Japanese
restaurant. Or a star in a 1960's TV show.
Moral of the story. True sales professionals never forget that the
number one priority in their lives is their family. Work comes
second. If coming home isn't the highlight of your day, it should
be. And when you are at home are you engaged with your family? Are
you plugged in? Or are you tuning them out in the vague hopes that by
staying connected to the office 24 X 7 you'll somehow get noticed and
promoted for your dedication? Get tuned in to your family now and get
recharged, before you burn yourself out.
"The love of family and the admiration of friends is more important than wealth and privilege." - Charles Kuralt
The Devil tells a
salesman, "Look, I can make you richer, more famous, and more successful
than any salesman alive. In fact, I can make you the greatest salesman that ever lived."
"Well," says the salesman, "what do I have to do in return?"
The Devil smiles, "Well, of course you have to give me your soul," he says, "but you also have to give me the souls of your children, the souls of your children's children and, as a matter of fact, you have to give me the souls of all your descendants throughout eternity."
"Wait a minute," the salesman says cautiously, "What's the catch?"
Moral of the story. True sales professionals know that in order to be successful at sales, at times, it requires the support of your family. If you're a sales professional you sell for the benefit and betterment of your family. One must never sell out the family for the benefit and betterment of their own career.
"A man should never neglect his family for business." - Walt Disney
