A Father's Day Sales Message

Dear Dad, Father, Papa, Daddy, Pops, Stepdad - whatever you call the man who raised you, he helped to shape the person you are today. Dads are known for offering sage advice to their progeny, and yours was probably no exception. This week, in honor of Father's Day, we're taking a look at fatherly wisdom from famous (and some not-so-famous) men. As you read these pearls, take note of how relevant they are to sales, although many weren't intended in the context of sales or even business. 

So without further ado, I offer you the wise words of many men throughout history; peppered among these, you'll also find gems from the fathers of some of my colleagues. 

Believing in Yourself (Remember this Sales Tips?)

1. Never say, "I can't." - Phillip's father
2. Don't worry about what everyone else is thinking, because they're too busy worrying about themselves to really think about you. - Cary Grant
3. You can succeed at anything you set your mind to do. - Connie's father

Thinking Positively (This Sales Tips, too?)

1. Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. - Abraham Lincoln
2. Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so. - Shakespeare
3. Practical Advice
4. Don't order steak from a seafood house and don't order seafood from a steak house.
5. - Chris' father
6. Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. - Will Rogers
7. Do what you love, but always have a backup plan/second career. - Ken's father
8. There is no future in any job. The future lies in the man who holds the job. - George Crane

Persistence

1. Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.
2. - Napoleon Hill (Revisit this Sales Tips)
3. Never, never, never, never give up. - Winston Churchill
4. Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. - John Wooden
5. Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. - William Feather

Courage

1. One man with courage is a majority. - Andrew Jackson
2. Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. - James B. Conant
3. Either you stay in the shallow end of the pool, or you go out in the ocean. - Christopher Reeve

Integrity

1. Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. - Henry Ward Beecher
2. Well done is better than well said. - Ben Franklin

Kindness

1. Always be a little kinder than necessary. - James M. Barrie
2. Do everything you can for others. Some may not deserve it, but treating them well may remind them to strive to be worthy. - Wendy's father
3. There is no experience better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.
4. - John Andrew Holmer
5. I will speak ill of no man, and speak all the good I know of everybody. - Ben Franklin
6. This is the final test of a gentleman: his respect for those who can be of no possible value to him. - William Lyon Phelps

Opportunity

1. A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. - Francis Bacon
2. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. - Albert Einstein

I hope that at least some of these quotes have inspired you; perhaps you'll even make one your personal motto. And don't forget to thank Dad this Sunday for the wisdom he imparted to you - after all, you turned out pretty well, didn't you?