The Adversity of Being Stuck in Ice
Yesterday was a tough day. I had an appointment scheduled with a local business that I had already met with several times. Right before going into each meeting with this medium sized business here in Queens I was damn near certain that I was going to close the deal. And yet each time I left I was bewildered, stunned, astonished that I had not in fact closed shit.
So yesterday again I head out to this meeting, feeling this time more certain than ever that the deal was mine (I'm in sales). It's freezing out this time of year in NYC and on some parts of the side of the street there are big deposits of ice and grime. As luck would have it the only parking spot I could find was an ice deposit. Because I drive an old beat Kia Sportage with bald tires, I knew that I was going to get stuck in this spot. But, I figured, such was the price for closing this deal.
I park and head over to the business. Paul is the business owner who I've met with several times over the past month and a half. He and I set up this meeting so that he and the partners could review the proposals. I call Paul. He answers and says that his kid is sick, he stayed home, and he's sorry he forgot to call. He phones his partners, one of them, Teddy, approaches me, introduces himself, takes a call, begins screaming at the guy at the top of his lungs, cussing him out, then hangs up and we proceed to talk. Long story short, there's no meeting. We say we'll reschedule, but at this point I'm questioning what I'm doing with these guys.
I get back to my car, start her up, and big surprise I'm stuck. Over the next two hour I have to dig myself out of the ice, which gives me plenty of time to reflect on the decision-making process that led me here. I'm wasting my time with these guys, I think. I have focused too much on these guys and should instead invest my time in looking for other interested buyers.
Luckily, two good Samaritans spend a considerable amount of time and energy to help dig me out of the ice. At one point they even push and instruct me out of the ice pit. I can't thank these guys enough.
So, today, a new day, I'm still reeling over what transpired yesterday. Truth be told, I haven't been in sales for more than 10 years. A few months ago I was a practicing mental health counselor. I made the career change because I wasn't happy with my work and pay. Now I find myself in a new role and it is incredibly challenging. Yesterday, more than anything, I felt sad. Today I feel lost and I'm even questioning whether I should remain in this position.
When I worked as a counselor, I used to often speak with clients about how most challenges in life are at their essence mental and emotional. This whole challenge of making sales, finding prospects--at the end of the day, the challenge is psychological in nature. It's a tough mountain to climb.
All I know is that I have to keep my eye on the prize. I set out on a mission a few months back, and that is to become a millionaire. More than 10 years ago when I left my sales job I decided that I would earn an education and help people. Over the following 10 years I did precisely that. Now I have a new goal, a new mission in life: to become a millionaire.
I'm not totally sure how I will get there, but I won't stop until I arrive.