Don’t Forget The Roses
Doesn’t is seem like in this day and age we are running from one thing to another and trying to do about eight tasks at one time? We are attending one kid’s soccer game while we are on the phone with our spouse trying to arrange how to get our daughter from dance lessons to a friend’s birthday party. Why do we do this? The simple answer is, that is life, and that’s as good as answer as any. The field of sales is no different. We are running from sale to sale, closing one sale, and starting a non-business conversation with another customer at the same time. That’s what we do, that’s what we love to do, and I would never suggest that you don’t work as hard as you can but I will say that it’s ok to slow down every now and then to enjoy what you have accomplished.
I was watching the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off the other night and I’m sure most of you have seen it at one point or another. I am certainly not advocating that kids start skipping school but I think the point of the movie is an important one. The professional salesperson is good at what they do because they are well rounded both at work and away from work. It’s ok to take a Friday afternoon off and go play eighteen holes of golf. It’s ok to take a Monday off and take the family on a mountain getaway for the weekend. It is certainly ok for you to take a Wednesday off just to sit at home and relax. I can hear salespeople and sales managers saying, “What is he saying?” Everybody just relax. I am not saying don’t work hard but I am saying that if we just take a little time to enjoy ourselves, then we are probably going to be much more productive when we are working.
Sales is what we do, it is not who we are. It is certainly a part and an important part of who we are. The salesperson that has a balance and is comfortable with all aspects of their lives is the one that will find success. In the last scene of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ferris says, “Life moves pretty fast, if we don’t stop and look around once and awhile we could miss it!” Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.
FINAO - Brad Huisken - President, IAS Training
