9.30.2010

Selfish Behavior is Limiting Your Potential for Greatness.

Selfish behavior will steal every dream you have for yourself.

You’ll make bad decisions, hurt good people, and destroy any chance you have of making a lasting difference in the world around you.

Its affecting your business too. If you’re struggling to land deals and grow revenue right now, you might need to look at your selfish behavior.

My grandfather passed away a few days ago at 92 years old. My mother was holding his hand as he breathed his last breath. He had actively survived the passing of his spouse by two more years. Taking daily walks and even learning how to use the computer. Pretty amazing stuff for a guy six decades older than me who had already lived a full life.

My Uncle Alan (my mom’s little bro), wasn’t able to be there with his father when he passed. Earlier in the day, the doctors let those gathered know that gramps was losing his battle. The close family members prepared to spend their final moments.

Alan owns a busy 200 acre dairy farm about 30 miles away. If you have ever worked on a farm, you know that it’s the one job in the world that waits on no one. You can’t do things when you want; you do them on a schedule. Lives and your livelihood depends on you being disciplined.

And so while the others waited, Alan had to go. He gently kissed his father good-bye, said his final words, and left — knowing that that moment was most likely the last time he would see someone he loved so very dearly.

He let go of what he wanted. It wasn’t about him getting what he wanted. It wasn’t about fairness.

It was about Alan being selfless in spite of the grief, pain, and personal hurt. And that, quite simply, is what greatness is all about.

So, “it’s just cows” you say. “Aren’t you making too big of a deal about it?”

Maybe.  But’s here’s what I know:

We’ve become selfish.

It’s our goals, our future, and our reputation. We only help if we think there’s something in it for us. We only care if we are shamed into it. We only do “me” things.

And it’s destroying us from the inside out. Let’s get edgy about this, fast:

Selfish behavior is the single biggest problem with the craft of selling.

It’s not process or plans or people, it’s our selfish intentions.

Is it any wonder buyers can’t stand to be around us?

Maybe the formula is:

  • Giving instead of leveraging…
  • Helping instead of maneuvering…
  • Caring instead of manipulating…
  • Investing instead of qualifying….

Maybe we’re just too selfish “doing our thing” to be the outrageously successful person we really could be.

Maybe we change all that starting today.


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  • Joe Blackton

    Dan the Man! Thanks bro I needed this today as I most likely need to hear this everyday. Getting off track is something we all do and it really takes a punch to the gut to realize the world is NOT all about us! You’ve captured that extremely well in this picture you paint; we all should thank you for the eye opening words!

  • Joe Blackton

    Dan the Man! Thanks bro I needed this today as I most likely need to hear this everyday. Getting off track is something we all do and it really takes a punch to the gut to realize the world is NOT all about us! You’ve captured that extremely well in this picture you paint; we all should thank you for the eye opening words!

    • http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

      Thanks, dude. I do happen to have a lot of first-hand experience with that “being selfish” skill set. So much of what we could be is lost in our inability to do something for someone else.

      Dan

      p.s. we need to catch up soon…

  • http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

    Thanks, dude. I do happen to have a lot of first-hand experience with that “being selfish” skill set. So much of what we could be is lost in our inability to do something for someone else.

    Dan

    p.s. we need to catch up soon…

  • Leanne Hoagland Smith

    Dan – you are so right on. Between the entitlement mentality, people confusing wants with needs, the absence of personal core positive values and then let us not forget the “EGO,” being selfish (it’s all about me) has become the driver for many individuals including those in sales. This is why I truly hate this phrase or a similar one that is even found in sales training programs, seminars and book titles – Closing the sale. What would happen if people started thinking about earning the sale? Would their behaviors be far different? I truly think so. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. My grandfather was a immigrant farmer from Sweden who came to his country in 1921 and he passed away on Christmas Eve in the mid 1950′s when I was 4 years old. I still remember being held by my grandmother as my parents, uncles and aunt gathered around the bed comforting him during his final moments.

  • Leanne Hoagland Smith

    Dan – you are so right on. Between the entitlement mentality, people confusing wants with needs, the absence of personal core positive values and then let us not forget the “EGO,” being selfish (it’s all about me) has become the driver for many individuals including those in sales. This is why I truly hate this phrase or a similar one that is even found in sales training programs, seminars and book titles – Closing the sale. What would happen if people started thinking about earning the sale? Would their behaviors be far different? I truly think so. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. My grandfather was a immigrant farmer from Sweden who came to his country in 1921 and he passed away on Christmas Eve in the mid 1950′s when I was 4 years old. I still remember being held by my grandmother as my parents, uncles and aunt gathered around the bed comforting him during his final moments.

    • http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

      Leanne,

      I just noticed your comment. What a wonderful story of family you have. I am not a big fan of “closing” either. It’s one of those things that I hear that instantly tell me you have to be an amateur. :-)

      Dan

      p.s. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your perspective.

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  • Pam Hastings

    Dan – Pam Hastings here…I have not checked out your blog for some time until now …and I have to say how refreshing this particular one was. You seem to have gained a new mindset and perspective since some of the past ones that you have written…( I admit that it was quite some time ago though )….Good for you…this post reveals that you have locked on to the key that produces happiness and joy…and that is when we are not looking our for numero uno all the time ! Hope to read some more good stuff….:)

  • Pam Hastings

    Dan – Pam Hastings here…I have not checked out your blog for some time until now …and I have to say how refreshing this particular one was. You seem to have gained a new mindset and perspective since some of the past ones that you have written…( I admit that it was quite some time ago though )….Good for you…this post reveals that you have locked on to the key that produces happiness and joy…and that is when we are not looking our for numero uno all the time ! Hope to read some more good stuff….:)

    • http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

      Pam,

      Thanks for the kind words Welcome back! Selfishness and fear are pretty destructive behaviors and it seems like over the last 2-3 years they have become much more evident in our personal interactions. Which is a shame, because they negate our talents and ambition.

      Dan

  • http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

    Leanne,

    I just noticed your comment. What a wonderful story of family you have. I am not a big fan of “closing” either. It’s one of those things that I hear that instantly tell me you have to be an amateur. :-)

    Dan

    p.s. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your perspective.

  • http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

    Pam,

    Thanks for the kind words Welcome back! Selfishness and fear are pretty destructive behaviors and it seems like over the last 2-3 years they have become much more evident in our personal interactions. Which is a shame, because they negate our talents and ambition.

    Dan

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  • Don F Perkins

    Dan

    We all need work in this area. Thanks for reminding us that people want to do business with people who care about them. What your describing is not easy to do, but very very true:

    To the extent we will invest in others we will find that good things come our way.

    Thanks for putting our minds on the right path.

    Don F Perkins

    • http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

      Hey, Don.

      It’s amazing how many times you feel like you just need “me time”; but when you’re done, you feel empty. We were made to give to others. It’s where we find our truest sense of self…

      Dan

      p.s. Your da’ man. Thanks for all the great comments recently…

  • Don F Perkins

    Dan

    We all need work in this area. Thanks for reminding us that people want to do business with people who care about them. What your describing is not easy to do, but very very true:

    To the extent we will invest in others we will find that good things come our way.

    Thanks for putting our minds on the right path.

    Don F Perkins

  • http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

    Hey, Don.

    It’s amazing how many times you feel like you just need “me time”; but when you’re done, you feel empty. We were made to give to others. It’s where we find our truest sense of self…

    Dan

    p.s. Your da’ man. Thanks for all the great comments recently…

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