A Gift for You from “G:” Twenty-five Life Lessons for Your Selling Success

So, who is “G?” And, what is the importance for remembering him?

“G” is my father. To his family he is “Bill,” and to his grandchildren he is “G.”

Rather suddenly, “G” passed away at the ripe old age of 90, in April of 2011. Needless to say, for the last couple of years, my life has been halted for pursuing my own goals and dreams. Instead, my time has been consumed with trips to Santa Barbara, to aid my sister, as we watched our Mom succumb to the disease of Alzheimer’s and our Dad fight to keep the home front strong and intact.

But, finally, fate took its course and had its way. My father fell asleep one evening and now rests in peace in the beautiful cemetery by the sea, and Mom resides in a wonderful assisted living facility, feeling emotionally safe and physically very healthy at the ripe age of 91. And I will be forever thankful for all the precious time I had with each of them these past few years.

Now I would like to pay tribute to my wonderful Dad: His passing reminds me of a great lesson I was given many years ago by a man named Jim. He said, “Diane, when all is said and done, all we can take with us are our memories. So you might as well make them as rich and meaningful as you can while you are here on this earth.”

I have never forgotten Jim’s words and now they are especially fitting for me. My father valued success and he loved people that learned the true meaning of success. Not only did he teach these words of wisdom to all those he loved, but he practiced them daily in his own life. And now it is time to reflect on some of the beautiful gifts and treasures that my Dad left behind for his children and grandchildren to cherish:

• Never ignore the working man; always honor and value your service specialist’s immeasurable (and, many times, hidden) value for your success and wellbeing.

• Look for the diamonds in the rough; they are everywhere and they are worth their weight in gold when you find them.

• Be punctual; even better - be five minutes early.

• Never meet a stranger; develop natural ease to be warm, gracious, and infectious.

• Making a conscious effort to genuinely connect with people is half the battle; the rest is downhill from there.

• Personal development is not a onetime course that you complete; it is a way of life, like a plant forever growing towards the sun.

• Keep your people skills polished; always extend a hand with a firm handshake or caring touch, look your guest in the eye and connect with a warm smile.

• “Be” what you want others to be with you; treat people like you like to be treated.

• Remember the names of people you meet and do business with; knowing people’s names, definitely touches their heart.

• Give your new acquaintance your full and undivided attention; ask caring questions and attentively listen to their answers.

• Ask nothing of others that you are not will in do yourself; have a willing spirit at all times.

• Do your work with happiness and heart; when you make your work fun, your jobs will finish quicker and seem effortless.

• Avoid making excuses at all costs; thinking them up takes energy and nobody wants to hear them anyway.

• Don’t complain; it interferes with getting the job well done.

• Self-esteem comes from your willingness to work hard; challenge yourself and attain your goals.

• Do your work with no fan-fare; do it for yourself and enjoy the result of your efforts - or the “fruits of your labor.”

• Be exceptional at what you do; make yourself stand out in the crowd – be unique from the rest of the pack.

• Be forthright in whatever you do; you may fool some in the short run, but karma will catch up with you in the long run.

• Success in life is a team effort; learn to relate, value, and connect with all those that surround you.

• Never forgot to appreciate what others do for you; nothing warms the heart more than a kind, “Thank you!”

• See yourself as a gardener for mankind; always be planting seeds of goodwill, generosity, and reciprocity.

• What you give of yourself will come back to you 10-fold; sincerely give of yourself and people will notice and they will respond, respectfully.

• A job is not done until the clean-up is complete; put away all your tools and leave your job site (or desk) spotless.

• Your accomplishments will give you great satisfaction; and you will feel good about yourself at the end of the day.

• Make everyday count and live each day as though it is your last; and that is exactly what our Dad did – right up until his last day here on this earth!

Practicing many of the teachings I have presented to you from my Dad have helped me to develop the self confidence and personality that sets me apart from the crowd. And now I have the beautiful memory of a lifetime of his teachings and the tons of opportunities to go with him and watch the beams and smiles on people’s faces as he stepped into their world.

I am so blessed to have had “G” as my Dad! He loved and respected nature, and animals, and people from all walk’s of life. But what he loved most was the individual that was willing to step out from the pack and find his own true way to his heartfelt success, no matter what the obstacles (for he had many challenges of his own). And now may you find your success and add these simple gems in to your “toolbox” for your selling success.

I close this article with a few precious words from my Dad: “Diane, everywhere I go, I am the ‘unforgettable character.’ I make people remember me by my effort to connect and relate with them. I always treat them like they are someone special and I show them I care. And the people that do the same with me are the exact kind of people I like to do business with and buy from!”

Thank you, Dad!