I’m not talking about what I recently heard termed ‘head trash’ – those preconceptions, issues with self-confidence, and other screwy thinking that can bump up against our success as sales professionals.
I’m talking about taking care of our most important relationships.
Success is much much more than cash money. We all know that you can have a horrible family life and still make stacks of cash.
I wonder if a life riddled with destroyed relationships, regardless of monetary success, should be considered success at all.
Reading: Zig Ziglar – See You at the Top. Chapter on marriage (Segment 3, Chapter 3)
Zig was a traditional old guy. While it’s obvious that See You at the Top is not a purely sales book, I don’t think I’ve read any other recent sales or success literature that dedicates a chapter to nurturing ones marriage.
I struggle with trying to use the chapter to prove that if one is at odds with his or her spouse, children, and other important relationships that he or she will not be successful as a salesperson. It’s simply not true. Everybody has a story of the complete jerk who seems to close every deal.
But ultimate success – legacy – does not place deals higher than relationships.
In my world, I know that I have to be vigilant around becoming obsessed with work to the detriment of my other relationships.
The way I perform as a professional is important to my legacy, but it’s much less important than my availability to my spouse and my children. If I blow past goals but fail to build into my children, what’s the point?
I appreciate Zig’s acknowledgment of this part of our lives.
How about you?
Where is your heart while you chase sales success? Do you think it even matters?
Until tomorrow….
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Other Reading and Listening
The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation
I just started this book, and as my 6 year old said, “Daddy, you’re always reading like 5 books at a time,” so I might set it aside so I can finish Zig’s See You at the Top. So far, though, it’s a great book about the profile of top sales reps. Any of my success has had to come by leveraging my natural approach while super-imposing best practices. This book, so far, offers great suggestions based on exhaustive research, regarding how to move from being a ‘core’ or mediocre sales performer to a high performer.
More Social Media Marketing Podcast, with Michael Stelzner (and various guests).
I’ve been power-listening to a bunch of these podcasts. Over the last week or so, I’ve been catching up on shows dating back to May (It’s the day before Thanksgiving, if that tells you anything.
Some good ones…
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