Fight !
Another old story comes to mind about a man who was up against difficulties and didn’t give in.
Many years ago, the cash register king, John H. Patterson was up against many problems… patent infringements, legal difficulties, labor disputes, competition up his wazoo - lots of annoying things.
He called in a hired gun. One old Civil War era lawyer known to be a bit harsh, shall we say. An ass, more or less. Known for straight forward, simple advice that cut to the bone. My kinda guy.
They put the facts down on paper and kind of brainstormed their way thru all the facts and figures.
Then the old warhorse gave Mr. Patterson a bill for $10,000 and put his advice on paper - one, single, solitary word was his advice - FIGHT !
Mr. Patterson never forgot the word, the bill or the feeling he got when he had to pay $10,000 for a single, solitary word of advice. So he fought. He fought hard. He fought everybody and everything that crossed his path. And he won more than his share of those fights.
And it made him a success.
When I meet a salesman, I check his fight. If he has none, I condemn him, in my mind, to loserdom.
If a salesman has no fight, what the hell will he do when competitors go after his customers ?
If he has no fight, what will he do when the market isn’t throwing customers at him ?
It’s said that fate is on the side of a fighter. I believe that with all I have inside of me.
If you won’t quit, fate has no choice but to reward you eventually.
We’ve all read the stories of men down to their last dime, sleeping on the floor, nothing to eat for days at a time. Somehow, someway, when you keep fighting against all odds, you find a way or someone steps up to help at just the right time. Just when you need it.
One note of caution here - this doesn’t mean you can fight with your coworkers or customers … just conditions.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Mike ~ This is so powerful and cuts to the heart of what keeps people going that eventually reach their goals and dreams. Especially with…If you won’t quit, fate has no choice but to reward you eventually. I have found this be incredibly true!
Fight!
I’m so glad I stopped by ~
Tammy
[...] st got back from reading Mike Sigers Simplenomics where he has a brief but powerful “Fight!” lesson. If you get pulled down or all twisted up inside because you don’t know what your next [...]
Hi Tammy -
I’m glad that you stopped by too !
When people take the time to validate the post, add to the conversation or just say thanks, it make it easier to keep on blogging.
A thought just ran thru my little mind - comments like this keep bloggers from quitting and postpone burnout.
Thanks for saving me a visit to a rehab center for bloggers !
“When people take the time to validate the post, add to the conversation or just say thanks, it make it easier to keep on blogging.”
I second that. Many times I don’t leave comments is fear of being “marked” as shameless self-promoting even there is no mention of my blog on my comments.
I didn’t know there is a rehab center specially for bloggers? Would that be ARBC (Addiction and Recovery for Bloggers Center)? =)
Hi Renee -
Thanks for stopping by and for outing the ARBC ! Life will never be the same now !
BTW - great graphic on your blog, even tho my wife does a blog where they trash dogs (kidding) !
http://www.cat-pause.com/blog
She’ll let you come by and bring one of those cute lil dogs.
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