"...the Tough Get Going"

Joseph Kennedy, the father of President John F. Kennedy, was the originator of the quote, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going".

This past week was Tulip Time in Holland, MI - the annual festival celebrating the beautiful flower, the tulip.

Our daughter, Mallory, fresh from finishing her second year of college at Northern Michigan University was quickly tossed into the Tulip Time fray. We picked her up on Wednesday, May 1 and drove the 8 hours home the next day. She had one day to recover from an awesome 2nd semester (4.0 - Yes!) before she started her summer job, hosting tours of the historic windmill at Windmill Island.

Today, Mothers Day, was the last of 8 days in a row - 11 hour days. It's not hard to connect the dots of that famous quote by Joseph Kennedy and Mallory's 88 hours of work. It was tough!

However, it is with great pride that I can honestly say, "Mallory, got going". While taking her tour today, in spite of her displeasure of me snapping pictures of her, I witnessed this:

And even better, this:

It was the 10th hour of her 8th straight work day. Would you be smiling? Would you be laughing? Would you be choosing to make the customers day?

The last few days were tough - and Mallory got going! Good for her and, of course, I took away a learning opportunity.

When the times get tough in your sales career, what can you learn?:

1. Customers expect your best no matter how you feel or where your mind is at. No excuses - your BEST
2. No one really cares if you're tired, if you feel like crap, or if you're having a bad day. They don't care... really, they just don't. They have their own problems. Don't burden them with yours
3. A smile is contagious. (If you don't believe me, scroll back up and look at the guy in the jean jacket. There's mirth and happiness on his face).
4. When sales are slow and you're not hitting quota or goal, how are you choosing to respond?
• Blaming the economy?
• Finding fault with your boss or your company?
• Pointing fingers outward or choosing to look inward?
5. You must take personal responsiblity for achieving expectations. It is up to you.
• Economy? Are you doing business with every customer in your geography? If not, you can't blame the economy. There's business to be won!
• Fault with boss or company? If you don't like who you work for - quit. Find a job that you love. You deserve it.
• Fingers outward or inward? Success is a choice! Read Napoleon Hills, "Think and Grow Rich". The secret is there for you to discover.

Mallory is 19 years old. She got it going. The world will be her playground. As her dad, I pump my fist and scream out, "YES!"

You can get it going too. Be tough!