“We all want to be happy and we’re all going to die . . . you might say those are the only true facts that apply to every human on this planet.”
~William Boyd
A career in sales in today’s world can cause a person to lose a great deal of sleep while increasing their stress, frustration and anxiety. If this is true why would anyone consider a career in sales today? You’d have to be half crazy. But, many would say that the rewards of income, freedom, success and so on are well worth the price. But I’ll also bet that there are many salespeople who would argue that the price isn’t worth the price.
So, if you are in a sales career and have made this profession your calling for the rest of your life, how can you learn to deal with the peaks and valleys, disappointment and a variety of other feelings, emotions and circumstances?
Consider if you will, that life is moving faster and faster for more and more people today. Everyone seems to be in a rush to nowhere. We drive faster, eat faster, get upset when a plane is 15 minutes late and get all stressed out when we have to wait in a line for anything.
What is the rush anyway? Where is everyone going in such a hurry? Most people are just trying to cram more into the 75 odd years they are given while, they waste hours and days in the pursuit of endless and useless activities that in no way contribute to the quality of their life, career or relationships.
The formula – Patience equals Peace is one I would like you to consider.
Patience is a relaxed state where the person trusts the process of their life regardless of how it may be unfolding moment by moment. Peace is the outcome of this outlook and philosophy.
It is unfortunate that many people live their lives with the misguided approach that more, faster and bigger is better. Now I am not against more and I certainly love being able to write an article in 15 minutes on my computer rather than 60 minutes on a legal pad. But, there is a price – I never had mouse elbow (same as tennis elbow for those of you who don’t have it) when I wrote long hand.
In all of life there are trade-offs. Trade off patience and you may live with more stress and its consequences. Trade off satisfaction and you will wind up in a race for stuff that some day won’t really matter. Trade off time with loved ones and friends and some day you may be alone. Trade off relaxation time and one day you will enjoy the environment as a resident in the local nursing home. A lack of patience is evidence of a lack of: trust and acceptance, the willingness to let go of the control of your life to the ebb and flow of the Universe.
The world is changing at unprecedented rates. We are all being flooded with more new information than we can ever possibly read, understand and/or assimilate. And, it is going to get worse. Pleasant thought, huh! Don’t get me wrong. I am not against progress, technology and new ideas. I believe many of these are important in a balanced life. I also believe that there comes a point when we may sacrifice what is really important in life; our inner peace and harmony or even the quality of our relationships – for access to the latest website or answering our cell phone while driving. Life has an interesting way of keeping us focused on what really matters. It guides us gently at first toward that which will nurture our Soul. But if we continue to ignore its guidance then it uses more destructive or devastating attention getting devices.
Don’t be lulled into the state of a constant search for something else or better. Satisfaction and peace come with acceptance and patience not rushing.
In His service, Tim