Written in 1968, “The Greatest Salesman in the World” by Og Mandino teaches what we already know but often choose to neglect: to achieve big goals, we need to develop good habits and attitudes, just like those of a great salesperson.

It means we need to acquire self-confidence, manage emotional control, be persistent, be generous, have humor, and have humility. When having a set of good qualities, then we can reach success!

The book is based on ten principles centered around positive thinking, self-discipline, and constant self-improvement. It is a manual for personal growth, but also, a sales manual; therefore, it will be particularly of great use to those of you working in commerce and social media. 

It is using many allegories to explain at best every aspect of life, that is important to a human being. Moreover, it addresses ways we can establish daily to get good habits, strengthen our will and character, the core values of a successful person (and salesman).

I shall let the reading of the entire book to you. It has a simple language, so it is appropriate for mainly all age categories. 

But, I wish to share here below my top 5 beloved Quotes, taken from the book, and read the final, 10th Principle, which I think conveys the complete meaning of a successful person.

MY TOP 5 FAVORITE QUOTES:

- “I will greet this day with love in my heart.”

- “Never feel shame for trying and failing for he who has never failed is he who has never tried.”

- “If I feel depressed I will sing. If I feel sad I will laugh. If I feel ill I will double my labor. If I feel fear I will plunge ahead. If I feel inferior I will wear new garments. If I feel uncertain I will raise my voice. If I feel poverty I will think of wealth to come. If I feel incompetent I will remember past success. If I feel insignificant I will remember my goals. Today I will be a master of my emotions.”

- “Do not aspire for wealth and labor, not only to be rich. Strive instead for happiness, to be loved and to love, and most important to acquire peace of mind and serenity.”

- “Most of all I will love myself. For when I do I will jealously inspect all things which enter my body, my mind, my soul, and my heart.”

Each principle/scroll unveils a SECRET FOR REACHING SUCCESS:

The first principle teaches that the best way to get rid of a bad habit is to replace it with a better alternative.

The second principle reminds us that every person we meet is valuable in a unique way, so treat them with kindness. Eliminate negativity, pessimism, and criticism, which in the long run are ruining a human’s heart.

The third principle underlines that we need to have patience and persevere until succeed.

The fourth principle teaches how important is to accept and love the way we are, with our faults and virtues, that are making us unique. Be confident in those unique qualities that you have and know that you have something to give to the world that no one else has.

The fifth principle underlines how precious time is. So, it is not wise postponing our dreams by procrastinating, pondering on the past, or daydreaming about the future. Live every single day as if it was the last one.

The sixth principle teaches that we need to learn to control our emotions by taking positive actions.

The seventh principle explains the importance of keeping a positive attitude and laughing as often as we can.

The eighth principle states the importance of being creative and entrepreneurial, finding new ways how to multiply our values and investments.

The ninth principle says one thing: take action! Now!

The final, tenth principle is for our soul, - the need to pray for Good Guidance.

THE 10TH PRINCIPLE is saying the following:

“I will pray for Guidance.

All creatures that walk on earth, including man, have the instinct to cry for help. Aren't our cries a form of prayer? Is it true to a world governed by nature’s laws to give a lamb, a mule, a bird, or a man the instinct to cry for help without the greatest wisdom to hear the cry and have the power to answer it? From now on, I will pray, but my prays will only be for good guidance.

Never will I seek delivery of gold, love, good health, petty victories, fame, success, or happiness. Only for guidance will I pray, that I may be shown the way to acquire these things, and my prayer will always be answered.

I will pray for Guidance, and I will pray as a salesman:

•  Oh creator of all things, help me. For this day I go out into the world naked and alone, and without your hand to guide me I will wander far from the path which leads to success and happiness.
•  You have taught the lion and the eagle how to hunt and prosper with teeth and claws. Teach me how to hunt with words and prosper with love so that I may be a lion among men and an eagle in the marketplace.
•  Help me to remain humble through obstacles and failures; yet do not hide from my sight the prize that will come with victory.
•  Assign me tasks to which others have failed; yet guide me to learn useful lessons from their mistakes. Confront me with fears that will temper my spirit; yet endow me with the courage to laugh at my dreads.
•  Spare me sufficient days to reach my goals; yet help me to live this day as it would be my last.
•  Guide me in my words that they may bear fruit; yet silence me from gossip that none be maligned.
•  Discipline me in the habit of trying and trying again; yet show me the way to make use of the law of averages. Favor me with alertness to recognize opportunity; yet endow me with patience which will concentrate my strength.
•  Bathe me in good habits that the bad ones may drown; yet grant me compassion for the weaknesses of others. Suffer me to know that all things shall pass; yet help me to count my blessings today.
•  Expose me to hate so it not be a stranger; yet fill my cup with love to turn strangers into friends.

I will pray for Guidance.

Verily, there must be a special place for me. Help me. Show me the way. Let me become all you planned for me when my seed was planted and selected by you to sprout in the vineyard of this world. Help this humble salesman. Guide me, God.”

Wish you a good reading, and we shall meet again on the pages of my blog with my recommendation for the next “book of the month”.

Best wishes,

Nadiya

MetropolitanMe Blogger