When All Else Fails, Sell
Insights from a captivating book.
But first, a confession.
I used to be someone who long believed that money was inherently negative.
Moreover, I associated money with selling.
And that selling was, well, “bad”.
What’s ironic is that I excelled in commerce and bookkeeping during my school years.
After graduating, for some reason, I didn’t pursue this path.
It took me decades to unlearn the misconceptions I had internalized about money, selling, business, and investments.
Now, I am actively pursuing all of these!
This is reminiscent of the ideas that Robert Kiyosaki advocates in his book “Rich Dad Poor Dad.”
It’s easy to reflect on hindsight, which is why I’m in awe of those who possess foresight. I believe it’s a significant advantage in life.
“A man may plant a tree for a number of reasons. Perhaps he likes trees. Perhaps he wants shelter. Or perhaps he knows that someday he may need the firewood.” — Joanne Harris, Runemarks
12 Lessons From When All Else Fails, Sell:
- Selling is lonely. It is tough. Your loved ones probably will not understand or even support you. It’s a lonely job.
- The essence of selling is character. You’ve got to find a way to maintain your good character in situations and places and people who do not know you. It is you whom you are selling. Not the product or service.
- You have to stay positive. Avoid negative people. The biggest turnoff is negativity. A good salesperson has to stay positive.
- I wish someone had told me this years ago. Selling can be spiritual. Don’t be greedy by trying to make the last dollar on the sale. Be generous. People appreciate that. And you may get repeated sales because of that.
- He that trusts in his riches shall fail. Don’t believe the hype that you are the best salesman in the world. Get off the high horse. Or you will fall hard. Be humble.
- Be grateful. When things get rough, no doubt, you will feel sorry for yourself. Take good criticism on the chin. It’s like medicine. It tastes horrible but it’s just what the doctor ordered. Thank God for the blessings that you have received.
- Get out when the competition comes in strong. Lose a few battles. Win the war. Sell off your business at a profit when the opportunity is right. The money you get can be put to better use in other ventures.
- Remember, bigger than money, more important than your business is that life catches up. Relationships, family, and friends are all part of your life irrespective of whether they are your business partners or not. Keep the lines open. Communicate. Be available. You are a salesperson. You are selling who you are to them.
- You are not alone in whatever you are selling. Network with others in the related fields. Learn. Help. Accept help. Be generous with your time and abilities. Mentor. Make the world a better place.
- Selling is a service. Selling can be a noble career. You do not have to sacrifice your ethics, morality, or character to support yourself no matter what you believe about the business world.
- The world will reward your high character. The same traits that make you who you are will make you a valuable member of society and the business world. You will be able to support your family. You will be able to live in the house of your dreams, with dignity, respect, and a sense of purpose.
- The reality is that anyone, whether just out of college or in active work, retired or starting over — all of us have the same opportunity today, thanks to technology. We need to grab that opportunity. Sell your product. Sell your service. Your experience. Do it with respect for yourself or your employer, your product, and your customer.
“We have even distorted a famous colonial praise, “Jack of all trades” to derogatorily mean “master of none.” Originally, the intent was to honor a person who could meet whatever challenges arise.
― Leigh A. Bortins, The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education.
For a long time, I felt inadequate because I felt I belonged to this unfortunate category.
But the reality is that I am just that.
I have plenty of interests. Some can be termed extraordinary. Others mundane.
In my younger days, I would read the contents of cereal boxes, the magazines in the doctor’s waiting room, advertisement boards, comics in the barbershop, anything and everything that caught my eye.
A Jack of all trades.
Today, I realize that I can put all that information to good use.
I would like to be known as that person who could meet whatever challenge that arises.
So I began writing.
It is still a work in progress.
And the road is long.
But I am having fun and learning at the same time.
Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
And I am selling too.
I am selling my thoughts, my hopes, and my dreams right here and now too!
“The moon does not fight. It attacks no one. It does not worry. It does not try to crush others. It keeps to its course, but by its very nature, it gently influences. What other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore? The moon is faithful to its nature and its power is never diminished.” — Deng Ming-Dao, Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony
Some Book Recommendations
- Reinventing Yourself, 20th Anniversary Edition: How to Become the Person You’ve Always Wanted to Be — Steve Chandler. https://amzn.to/3SNVtSZ
- Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony — Deng Ming-Dao. https://amzn.to/3uhiyUO
Some Highly Recommended YT Channels
- If you are interested in starting an online business for Free, check out Baddie in Business’s YouTube Channel here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrzS4fSVlkoXYFJScnJeNiShqa_Gdae9s.
- If like me you are interested in AI and all it promises to be, check out Wes Roth and his free tutorial on Perplexity AI, a new kid on the block but with all the bells and whistles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JdpmsHJdBY
When All Else Fails, Sell!
Till next time,
Here’s to you!
Jude
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