Do you allow fear, anxiety, and worry to dominate your thinking? Do you find yourself frequently questioning your decision to become a salesperson? A lack of commitment not only creates self-doubt, but it is emotionally draining, and erodes your effectiveness. No great achievement has ever been accomplished without a plan and a commitment to see it through. Without commitment, you will be defeated even before you start. There is no substitute for commitment! A lack of commitment is one of the major causes of failure and it is a weakness common to most people. However, it is a weakness that may be overcome by effort. If you find yourself lacking in commitment, build a stronger fire under your desires and intentions. There is magic in commitment!

In battle, the ancient Greeks established a well-deserved reputation for bravery, discipline, and determination. They were successful because they were well trained, well lead, and most of all, well motivated. The Greeks were master motivators who understood how to instill commitment and prepare their soldiers for victory. To infuse their army with a spirit of commitment, the moment they landed on the enemy’s shore, the Greek commanders would give the order to “burn the boats.” Imagine the tremendous psychological impact on the soldiers as they watched their boats being set to the torch. There was no turning back. Once their boats were burned, they realized that the only way they were going home was through victory.

The ancient Greeks understood the power and the absolute necessity of commitment. In your sales career you are not asked to commit to battle, but make no mistake, commitment is required. Your battles are not fought on enemy shores, but within the confines of your own mind. A truly committed person does not have the luxury nor the time for the self-indulgence of negative thinking. Until you have made the decision to be fully committed, there is hesitancy and the possibility to withdraw. The moment one definitely commits oneself, magical things begin to happen. The true underlying motivation for all success is a deep and unwavering commitment to the task at hand. The sales profession is a demanding and challenging career, but it is also highly rewarding and lucrative for those fully committed. If you are being pushed around mentally by thoughts of fear, anxiety, and worry, it’s time to “burn your boat” and become fully committed to your sales career!


John Boe, based in Monterey, CA, is recognized as one of the nation’s top sales trainers and motivational speakers. He helps companies recruit, train, and motivate salespeople to achieve peak performance. John is a leading authority on body language and temperament styles. To view his online Video Demo or to have John Boe speak at your next event, visit http://www.johnboe.com or call (831) 375-3668. Subscribe to John’s FREE monthly newsletter, The Prospector: http://www.johnboe.com/newsletter.html