SALESMANSHIP

  
Harry Bullis, former chairman of the board of General Mills, used to give his salespeople the following advice: "Forget about the sales you hope to make and concentrate on the service you want to render. "

The moment people's attention is centered on service to others, they become more dynamic, more forceful, and harder to resist.

How can you resist someone who is trying to help you solve a problem?

"I tell our salespeople," said Bullis, "that if they would start out each morning with the thought, 'I want to help as many people as possible today,' instead of 'I want to make as many sales as possible today,' they would find a more easy and open approach to their buyers
and they would make more sales.

"The person who goes out to help people to a happier and easier way of life is exercising the highest type of salesmanship. "


SELF-HELP

review your notes
the ones you took
on your life
ponder
old photographs
read letters
written to you
cycles ago
recount your blessings
one by one
two by two
repeat
repent
of any doubt
or shame
that you are not
worthy
whole
nothing short
of a miracle

-- Franklin Abbott