Sales Tips From Jonathan London

Death of a Salesman

  

 Email Article  

Tweet  

  

  

Just saw the final performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman in Death of a Salesman. Very powerful emotional play. Read it when I was a teenager and swore the last thing I would ever be is a salesperson (go figure), and here’s why:

•     I didn't want to be so needy and dependent on others as Willy Loman

•     I didn't want to live my life without love from my family

•     I didn't want to say things to please vs. say what I really mean

•     I didn't want to base my happiness on how and if others received me or gave me an order

•     I didn't want to be away so much from my family that we would disconnect

So here are my Death of a Salesman resolutions to be a better salesperson and human being:

•     I will say what I want to say in a polite but direct way

•     I will revel in my capabilities and express myself confidently vs. in a needy way

•     I will help people because I want and like to

•     I will try to work only with people I like and there is mutual respect

•     I will not define my happiness by how many orders I have

•     If you can’t understand my value to you, I will find someone who does

•     Being offended or bothered by people being impolite is aligned with needing their confirmation. I won’t be offended any longer.

•     I will do things I want to do vs. the things I am fearful about not doing

•     I will have confidence that all will be fine regardless of the outcome

•     I will travel much less and use technology more

With these resolutions I will:

•     do better for people

•     do an even better job than I already do

•     be happier and make those around me happier

•     and make more money

Nice combination!