Stick with What Works
How a box of 64 crayons shaped my views on business and sales...
When I was a child in the 1980's I loved some things more than others:
- Garbage Pail Kids (this one was my favorite...) Don't you dare make fun of me!
- The Dallas Cowboys. Danny White was the man!
- Pee Wee's Playhouse on Saturday mornings.
- Weird Al
- U2 (Bono is awesome)
One of my favorite things in the world was the 64 box set of crayons. I don't care who you are, back then that was the holy grail of art for a kid. I mean, who doesn't like Apricot, Asparagus, Bittersweet, and Burnt Sienna? Who would ever complain about Cadet Blue, Carnation Pink, Cerulean, or Chestnut? I don't even know what Cerulean is come to think of it, but boy or boy did I want it!
I remember getting a box once for school. I was supposed to save it for the first day but I couldn't help myself. I had an awesome picture of Skeletor, and I intended on coloring the crap out of that thing. Even if it wasn't the coolest activity for a guy like me to do, or something I'd ever admit back then, it sure was fun. The problem?
I didn't know exactly what versions of blue and purple to use.
I mean, if this were Optimus Prime or Captain America, all I would need would be Red, White, and Blue. but Skeletor's colors weren't exactly... anything. So, what would I do?
I would just use the color I knew. In a few months, the red, white, blue, green, brown, and black crayons would be worn all the way down and the Burnt Sienna... that would barely be touched.
Fast forward to life as I now know it...
I was at a sales conference a couple of years ago where a very well known speaker was trying to tell us about some really cool new methods of selling. We were told that if we did "THIS ONE TRICK!" our sales would reach "ROCKSTAR STATUS!!" Well, who doesn't wanna be a rockstar (see what I love above about U2!)?
So, what is the point of all this? The point is, with all of the knowledge you have, with all of the chatter from "thought leaders" and "experts," with all of the best selling help books exclaiming that they know how to be successful, and with all of the sales fads out there, your crayon box will eventually look like mine did.
In the end, I've learned that 3 things determine your success in business and sales. The 64 count crayon box looks fancy and pretty and makes your mind wander with all of the potential inside it. Just like going to those sales conferences. Don't take your eye off of what really works though.
- Activity. Make more calls, meet more people, get your business or service in front of decision makers. Do this frequently.
- Hard work. Don't buy into the notion of "working smarter not harder." That is bull-crap. Do both. Working hard means you are doing that all too difficult activity. It means you are pushing to hit your goals. Nothing any sales expert can tell you trumps hard work.
- Persistence. Making that one extra call just before you leave work for the day. Asking for the sale one more time before you end that meeting. Whatever you do, ask once (or twice) more.
In business, Activity, Hard work, and Persistence are your Red, Blue, and Green Crayola crayons. Don't get distracted by Magenta or Carnation Pink. Their newness will wear off quickly. Most of your success (and money) is made on the regular crayons.
To Success!
About the Creator
Joshua Warren
I'm a business guy, a husband, a father, a follower of Christ. I know quite a bit about what I know...
I write about business, sales, personal life, and everything in between. I get a kick out of winning, success, everything in between.
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.