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Courage in Sales

Please tell me about a personal example in sales when you had to have courage to ‘keep on keepin’ on.

Here’s mine.  More than twenty years ago, I was faced with the following. I was two or more payments behind on my house and I had received the proverbial registered letter.  It basically said that I was going to lose the farm unless I sold something. And, at the same time, I was face-to-face with the real culprit, me. Yes me. My work ethic was bad. My courage was low. And, I was about to fail my lovely bride and children.

I had quit my job and I was trying to sell for the first time in my life without knowing anyone in business or without even knowing what a cold call looked like.  My office was in my bathroom and sometimes others needed it for more than my typewriter and I had to leave.  During the day, I would make cold calls out of the City Directory to sales managers (while sitting in a Holiday Inn using thei guest telephone).  I still remember the first appointment leading to a sale.

I was afraid, in danger of losing my home, uncertain, and intimidated by people who knew a lot more about business than I did.  But, by the grace of God, I survived and appeared on the other side as a new person.  Kept the farm.  Kept the family.  Built a business.  I will never forget.  Hope this helps someone.  Now, go and make things better.  This is about as personal as I can get.  Lance