Momma Didn’t Raise No Salesperson

I don’t know about your mom, but mine probably didn’t look adoringly in my eyes when I was young and say, “I sure hope little Walker grows up to be a salesperson!”

Probably hoping for something that sounds more professional, more stable.

Like a doctor, or a lawyer. Maybe an architect or something.

Sorry, Mom.

If Mom Wanted Me to Be a Salesperson

If she had wanted me to be a salesperson, she probably would have raised me differently.

Instead of “don’t talk to strangers,” she might have encouraged me to meet a lot of different people, to ask them their story, listen intently when they talked and see what I could learn.

Instead of “it’s rude to talk about money,” she might have encouraged me to engage with other people about how they make money.

Instead of encouraging me to defer to adults, she might have explained that we’re all equal, no matter age or income, and that I had every right to stand toe-to-toe with anyone.

The flip side is, had she done that with me from a young age, I would have been a nightmare kid! See, the advice our parents give when we’re young has an expiration date.

So many people (including me!) weren’t told about the expiration date.

Until you understand that advice is no longer useful, you’ll be a nightmare of a salesperson. We talk too much about ourselves, are afraid to ask about budget, and think it’s a buying signal when someone tells us to call them back in a week!

Pay attention to what your parents tell as a kid. It’ll keep you safe and keep them sane.

Then, pay attention to your sales coach to ramp up your business. That will make you lots of money and help you keep your sanity and your dignity.