So if you read my post yesterday, it was about the lessons I learned with the start up of my sales training company.
All in all, it was the happy story I like to tell.
Today, I want to tell you the story that isn’t so fun to tell.
In 1995 I lost my business, both my cars and wound up $60,000.00 in debt.
As a bonus, I got to feel like a Grade A Loser for the rest of the 90’s while I did everything I could to keep food on the table.
For many years after I struggled to find meaning as in . . .
Why did this happen to me?
As I have hinted many times in this blog, God and I drifted. We didn’t have a falling out, I just didn’t feel like hanging out with him.
I’m not proud of what I just wrote, but it’s a sad testimonial to where I was at.
I felt my prayers were going unanswered . . . specifically that whole “Why me?” thing.
Several years later, I received my answer and it was quite simply this . . .
There is no freakin meaning to horrible things like that but . . .
There are lessons!
Here are mine
1) I stopped hunting and relied on my existing book of business. I had a really awesome book of business and felt that servicing them was THE only thing. I had 2 companies relocate and one company go out of business and lost $1,500,000.00 within 6 months. And here’s the kicker . . . it was too late to scramble and start hunting new business. I kind of felt like Bruce Willis did at the end of “The Sixth Sense” when he realizes that he’s been dead all along and at the same time awkward like the interview portion of Jeopardy but I’m digressing.
Note: This my friends is why you absolutely must build your army before you need them. Today, I put a great deal of effort into this activity . . . Why? Because I don’t ever want to be in that position again!
2) I learned that I could put up with an inordinate amount of crap! I worked night jobs, delivered pizzas and had to work for some people who seemed to take pride in demeaning me for the few dollars an hour they paid me. This is when I learned to be a street fighter. Not in the, “I just kicked someone’s ass” sense, but in the “If I want to live to see another round, I better learn to take a punch” but . . .that sort of makes you a glorified punching bag so I had to learn to go after what I wanted and let go of all the “why me” stuff every time I scraped my knee!
3) I learned about generosity and encouragement. I could tell you dozens of stories ranging from things my Mom did, to someone trading in their own food stamps to buy my family food. I never forgot it.
Here’s a part of the story that I like to leave out: For some of us, there is this low point where we feel we don’t matter and that somehow we don’t deserve better.
That’s when the encouragement works its charm.
I truly believe there is a special place in heaven for those who see the light in someone who hasn’t yet seen it in themselves.
Fast forward to a key note speech I was about to make back in 2005 for 500 sales reps.
It was 5 minutes until I was going to be up on stage and the meaning I was searching for finally came . . .
I needed to go through what I went through in order to appreciate and respect my business, my family and my life to be able to . . .
Help others to do the same!
It was in that moment of realization that the meaning I had found was upgraded to purpose!
Thanks for letting me bend your ear!
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Email me for speaking engagement rates and availability paul@yoursalesplaybook.com
Paul thanks for be so willing to open up. This is a very touching story and some very valuable lessons you have shared!
I’m so happy to hear you are in a better place, and I’m sure the many words of encouragement you offer every day are having a real positive impact on the lives of many. You are a true inspiration!
Thank you Adam!
Paul, thanks a lot for the post. I must say that it made me think about lots of things that are going on in my life right now. It is very encouraging to see that we should never give up hope, and that things work out well at the end.
Hope and continued faith are so essential Delia!
Thank you!
Wow! It takes a lot of guts to be so honest about mistakes that have been made. I remember when two of our clients went bust and then one decided to leave us…it was a tough time. I think you very right in saying that you can only learn from your mistakes. Thank you for your priceless advice!!
Paul there is something to be said about authenticity and social media; but then again there is something to be said about authenticity and anywhere you are in life. I have a feeling that wherever You are in life You are Authentic.Love your authenticity Jedi-Bro, it sings to me! And this I believe is the reason I look forward to Your articles.
Keep expressing the Spirit of God within You, in this manner which resonates deeply with so many, it is your highest and best good (purpose) and is the Will (purpose) of God to be expressed thus!
Peace/Namaste
Well its an honor to be your Jedi Bro Josie which is a lame come back after the beautiful note you have just written me . . . I’m speechless . . . Thank you!
Thank you Paul. Perhaps the “why me” is answered now – so that we can see through the fog that threatens our success at times and be led by YOU!
Well its an honor to be your Jedi Bro Josie which is a lame come back after the beautiful note you have just written me . . . I’m speechless . . . Thank you!
Paul, nice post and personal and got to the point. Full of info and short. I like that. I try to be around people that are full of encouragement, even thought sometimes I know it’s probably not deserved, we all feel better.
Thank you Joe!
Thanks Paul — Somedays it’s hard to remember that we aren’t the only one with challenges and we’ll look back and realize those challenges made us stronger, more content individuals. Have a wonderful day!
Thank you Seema.
Sounds like you’ve had your share of challenges after the loss of those clients!
Thank you Heather . . . Now if I could have only been wise enough to realize that then I would have a heck of a lot more hair today 🙂
Awesome message Paul thank you for sharing this with all of us. It takes a humble man to admit that he has fallen but it takes a driven man to get up and try again once he has fallen. Keep on walking Paul.
Beautifully stated Peter . . . here’s to that continued walking my friend!
Thank you!
Thanks so much Paul, that is a very inspiring story. I am so glad things have changed for the better for you and your family over the years. This next comment is more for your readers, because I am sure that you know this now. It would have been way to easy to just pack it in all those years ago and say that working extra jobs and scraping by was all that was in the cards for you long term. But you fought, and you keep fighting to this day to grow your business and I really admire that in you, and all the other people who are doing the same. That fire to change your situation has to come from within you, and lead you to better things. In the blink of an eye, I lost a sales job once, and my stable renter in my rental property. My wife was home with my infant son, and I certainly experienced many of the feelings that you had as well. There were very difficult days, but I quickly realized that there were one of two ways which this could go, and thankfully I chose to fight, and fought harder than I ever had to before. And I am glad I did, because my perspective on life and business are much clearer now.
Tim you final point is near and dear to me “my perspective on life and business are much clearer now”
This clarity is essential to not only our success but the inner peace we need to sustain that success!
As always, I appreciate your contributions to this blog . . . thank you Tim!
My pleasure Paul! Let’s make a deal. You keep putting out content like this (which I am sure that you will (no pressure!), and I will keep coming around! Have a great day.
I once experienced that “God, where are you?” valley and came to realize the value is in the experience and the lesson and how it fits the puzzle called “the future”. Would I want to relive those days? No way. Would I be who I am right now if it hadn’t been for those days? No way.
I appreciate hearing about your journey. Your resiliency inspires me to remember where there is a valley, keep going. A peak awaits just around the corner.
Well said!
“a peak awaits just around the corner”
So true!
Thank you!
Wow, talk about jeja vu all over again. Going through the exact scenario myself right now. Thanks Paul for the ah ha!
Hang in there Patrick . . . keep the faith and make sure you keep getting that uniform nice and dirty each day.
Reach out to me if you want to chat about things!
Paul, thank you for your insights. I to have gone thru some of these same moves, but it seems like I do not learn from them. Thank you for the encouragement. You should do a daily radio take show for sales people.
You know Roger, I was listening to an old tape from Napoleon Hill where he challenged everyone to reflect back on the adversities and challenges we’ve faced and then, find in those experiences a seed of an equivalent benefit.
I found the advice both helpful and a bit of an eye opener for me!
Thank you for stopping by!
Hey Paul,,,,Great testimony,,,as a Born Again believer , thank you for the insight into what make you real and so relateable !
cheers,,,
Thanks Ed . . . born again believers rock! 🙂
Your candid comments and honesty stand out among all the BS and rhetoric that we are constantly bombarded with. I’m so tired of all the “experts” out there that have never lived the experience but feel qualified to give advice, most of which is crap.
Thanks Jamie.
I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and for the kind words too!
Thanks Paul for sharing. Your testimony so touches and brings hope to so many daily and I’m encouraged everytime I read your posts.What a great reminder to the stay in and fight, never give up and never tap out. It’s always darkest before the dawn, and with God anything’s possible. Thanks again for helping me and others from your experience, this definitely is Your gift and talent!
That was very kind Cherie . . . Thank you and I will pass out before I tap out 🙂
Great story; mimics mine starting in 2009, in the middle of your #3 at the present time.
I hope all works out well Mary . . . continue to keep the faith, you are closer than you think!
Hey thanks a lot Paul,
Awesome story, very touching and I can definitely relate.
It’s great to have a different perspective and it gives me a sort of goal that at some point I will get to that “A-HA” moment and I’ll “know” why exactly everything I’m going through has happened. I really do see it that way, I just haven’t had that moment yet but it’s coming.
Thanks again for opening up and letting us learn from you.
That moment will come amigo.
I owe you an email and will get back to you later today buddy!
Paul I think that may be your best post yet! Thank You.
Thank you so much Brent!
Rock on1
What a wonderful story, Paul. I know that many people can relate to it right now, my husband and I are two them. He lost his job two years ago, and has been unable to find employment. We look everyday for the positive in our life changes. It is inspiring to know that you can come out on the other end, with lessons learned, and your spirit intact! Thank you!
Its something that I remind myself each day Deb because its way too easy for me to get caught up in my own “stuff” and even easier for me to race passed “human” in the process!
Thank you for your thoughts today!
Thanks for sharing. I went through something similar and I can attest to the appreciation one has for the situation after you come through the fire!
Paul – with a message this heartfelt and powerful you can “bend my ear” anytime. Thank you for sharing the story of journey. Wishing you smooth sailing from this point forward.
This is why I love your stuff Paul. You speak from the heart and are not afraid to tell it like it is. We all fall away from God at some points in our life and it is up to us to find Him again.
Hi Paul – You’re a master at distilling all encompassing, day-to-day chaos down to the essence. I’m moved by your story and inspired to “play the opus in my head” before it’s too late. My profound thanks to you. Keep up the great work!
Paul, thanks for being authentic. These are the types of posts that people WANT to read. I’d love to hear even more about the “generosity and encouragement” stories. Keep up the great attitude! – Susie
Hi Paul,
I love to read your blogs as they are so ‘real’ and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your insights with us all.
Thanks Paul. I was never fired until I was 52. Family problems with health and finaces follow. Why me? Why not me? I am no different or better than others.I am not excempt. In circumstances like that we learn to be thankful for every little thing. Give thanks to God and never, never, ever give up.
It’s pretty amazing to see how one’s life can change all of a sudden, in good or bad. If it’s in your nature to never give up, you’ll find the strength to go on.
Hey Uncle Paulie,
It’s Sunday morning and I’m sorting through 300 e-mails that went on hold while I wore the sign maker hat this week in the Quick Print. We have spoken before and I have read as many of your posts as I can, I know this is day’s late in the thread, but brother you are becoming one of my Angels. Thank you for sharing from so deep in your soul.
Suzanne and I are still deep in the struggle but I have made hundreds of connections and learned so much from your expediences and posts and the people you have brought together here. Thank you for all you do.
You are a wonder.
Bless you my friend.
Dan”You can call me Herb” Hebert
Dan,
I’m sorry I missed this comment and I’m only responding to it now.
This was a very kind comment and you truly made my day my friend!
Thank you!
Paul,
Thank you for sharing this personal and wonderful story. I have tried something the last few years that has really helped, and I would like to share it with you and your readers. During some very dark and trying times due to my child’s health condition, I tried something that worked. Every time I felt discouraged, depressed, or an overall lack of hope: I would go and find someone to teach something to, inspire, or as cheesy as it sounds: make smile. Believe it or not, the more I reached out to someone else, if even a short term assist, the better I felt. Those negative feelings turned into hope and a crazy word I like to call “positivity”. This is not as easy as it sounds, because when you feel deeply discouraged, it takes alot to “muster” up the strength to change someone else’s day for the positive. However, this really got me through. It made me fight because you have to practice what you preach 🙂
What a wonderful suggestion!
I think we all need to add this one to our playbook.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Joseph Soto, Financial Advisor / Merrill Lynch
This was very power!! I’ve been searching for my purpose in life for most of my career, only to find out I was already doing and enjoying it. Helping
others help themselves. Thanks for making it obvious,
Great lessons Paul! We all get knocked down every once and a while. Only champs get back up.
“Only champs get back up” . . . AMEN!
Thanks Owen!
Failures are a chance for us to learn. It is only considered a failure if you have not learned anything so you did not fail just stumbled. 🙂 Good job Paul. Thank you for sharing this.
I agree Amber!
Thank you!