Tag: sparta

  • Are you an Athenian or Spartan Sales Warrior?

    Are you an Athenian or Spartan Sales Warrior?

    If you’ve chosen the sales warrior path, then you need to ascertain wether you’re an Athenian or a Spartan.

    “We have buried many Spartans beside the Kephisos,” said the Athenian. “Yes,” replied the Spartan, “but we have buried no Athenians beside the Eurotas.”

    The Warrior Ethos – Steven Pressfield

    This story plays out in the sales world, doesn’t it.?

    Some sales people stay at home near the Kephisos and some venture out to the Eurotas.

    The lesson I’ve taken from this (yes, I am also a Athenian sales warrior from time-to-time) is that it’s vital for us to get away from our comfort zone (the office) into our prospects’ offices.

    We may leave our prospect’s office defeated, depressed and despondent but that’s ok.

    Because as sales warriors we know that we have to spill blood to become successful in this game.

    I’ve heard that the average sales person has a 30% success rate when it comes to winning deals. So, if you see 10 prospects that means that 70% will reject your offer. Metaphorically, you’ll be buried beside the Kephisos.

    Whatever the ratio, the point is that you and I need to get in front of prospects if we want to succeed in sales.

    What are you doing to get in front of prospects. The difference between being an Athenian sales warrior or a Spartan one is vast.

    One will be successful and one probably won’t.

    You choose: Athens or Sparta?

  • In Sparta

    In Sparta

    In most cultures men/women can choose their career … be it an architect, lawyer, doctor, policeman or whatever.

    In Sparta there was no choice in the matter. As a newborn son, if you survived the scrutiny of the magistrates and were deemed fit, your only job for the rest of your life was to serve in the military.

    If you were judged physically unfit, you were taken to the wild gorge at Mount Taygetos, and left for the wolves. Your mother did not weep nor protest.

    This concept of ‘you only have one job’ resonates with me.

    Our ‘one job’ is to sort out our soul so that we can give up our lives with grace and gratitude when we’re called to Eden again.

    After that, being a fireman, nurse, lawyer, CEO or banker is all a bit of a sideshow.

    The only purpose of the work you and I do right now is to polish our intent so that we can become humans of moral character and fulfil our promise. Oh, and of course be in awe and gratitude to our creator for allowing us to play for a little while.

    In Sparta there were still artists, writers, architects, builders and the like. Those, however, were just secondary jobs and bonuses.

    Their real job was to protect Sparta and its citizens.

    Spartans were 100% dedicated to this goal. A Spartan mother handed her son his shield as he prepared to march off to battle. She said, “Come back with this or on it.”

    Seeking connection with our creator is the only worthwhile pursuit there is. That we create great art in the work we do is an bonus and a blessing.

    Being able to meet our creator at anytime with grace is the only real freedom we have. If we haven’t come to terms with coming back on our shield at a second’s notice, we’re not free.

    The Spartans were free. Are you?

    Jacques de Villiers helps organisations, professional speakers, authors and entrepreneurs triumph through: sales training, motivational speaking and consulting.