Perspectives That Serve #4 - Blooming WhereYou're Planted

Russell Conwell wrote a book and a speech by the name of Acres of Diamonds.
He made millions touring the country and selling this book that simply conveyed a message that we all need to hear. Conwell told the story of a farmer who sold his farm to go in search of diamonds. Years later it was discovered that the property he sold had contained the largest diamond mine in the history of the world.

Most of us, my self included have moments where we believe we could be doing so much better in another job or with another company. And maybe we could. In my work in sales on the West Coast I always believed the best opportunities in my company were in the Southeast where the headquarters was located. Who knows, maybe they are.

There is one thing I am absolutely sure of though. The most important thing you can do today is Bloom Where You are Planted. Give your job your all. Pour Your Heart In It. When you do this your skills will grow. You will maximize your potential in your current position in your current territory. If you do this other opportunities will come along and you will be much more prepared for them.

Part of being a good salesperson is learning to look for the best opportunities. Ultimately this trait can work against them. Salespeople can participate in self-sabotage big time if they are not careful.

Most effective selling requires building your personal brand, credibility, relationships, and knowledge in an industry. At a minimum these factors begin to come together at the 3-5 year point and then compound significantly in the years after that. But a lot of salespeople get impatient. They assume their lack of success is due to the company, their manager, their industry, or unfair territory divisions. Maybe it is. But often in reality it is due to their own lack of hard work or just lack of seasoning and experience.

Career choice is really a place where you want to measure twice and cut once whenever you possible can. Do your do diligence up front. Select a best of breed leading company and stick with it. I’m not saying there is never a good reason to make a change… There is. But all to often sales people start imaging the grass being greener. And all too often sales people sabotage their careers when they start jumping around.