Cato on Making It Happen

 

“I would much rather men should ask and wonder why I have no statue, than why I had one.”

– Cato the Elder (234 BC–149 BC)

Roman statesman and soldier

Something important – something very important – a thought on starting and finishing…

Three quick questions…

  1. Of the 20 or so sales days each month, how many times do you start earlier than is expected of you?
  2. How many times do you work later than is expected of you?
  3. How many times are you early for an appointment?

Starting early and going long count. Being prompt matters. The impact on you in terms of how it’s viewed by your executive team, management team, peers, subordinates, prospects, and customers can be tremendous – tremendously positive or tremendously negative.

On time – starting, leaving, or arriving – is simply what’s expected.

To be early and go long sends a message of purpose, commitment, and respect – to others and yourself – and assures better results over time. To be even one minute late, or rarely be challenged ending your day on time, sends a completely different message.

Emerson suggested, “Activity is contagious.”

Have an impact on everyone. Enjoy great results.

Embrace the early start and go long. Be SalesTough.

Aurelius on Crossing The Line

 

“Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretense.”

–Marcus Aurelius (121–180)
Roman emperor, philosopher

 

With everything, there’s a line.

On one side of the line is a greater chance to make good things happen (better results, better relationships, more responsibility). This is where you’ll find all those people you admire.

On the other side, there’s less of a chance.

And with each line, there’s a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want the better chance at making good things happen (meaningful things) or you settle with the lesser chance.

Your choice.

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those times. Those times when in the short run it’ll seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do).

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Shakespeare on Living It

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.”

–William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
English playwright and poet

 

With everything, there’s a line.

On one side of the line is a greater chance to make good things happen (better results, better relationships, more responsibility). This is where you’ll find all those people you admire.

On the other side, there’s less of a chance.

And with each line, there’s a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want the better chance at making good things happen (meaningful things) or you settle with the lesser chance.

Your choice.

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those times. Those times when in the short run it’ll seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do).

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