RDF Book Club – How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling

by Frank Bettger

With a title as self-explanatory as this one, I don’t think that this book needs an introduction. It is necessary, however, to mention that this book offers great life lessons to help anybody find success – not just professional salesmen.

Back in the early 1900s, Bettger was a major league baseball player until he was demoted to the minors because his manager thought he lacked enthusiasm. Instead of lamenting his bad luck, Bettger took his manager’s note to heart and was determined to establish a reputation as one of the most enthusiastic ball players in the league, even if he had to fake it. Before long, Bettger landed a position with a better team, got shout-outs in the papers and received a dramatic increase in his income. It’s worth noting that Bettger’s playing hadn’t improved at all; it was simply the power of his enthusiasm that led to his change of fortune.

Bettger explains that enthusiasm is the highest paid quality on earth because it’s so rare – and that’s the part that stuck out to me. Sure, some things in life are outside of our control, but what we can control is our response to those situations. And if our response is the only thing completely within our control shouldn’t we make it count? You can choose to accept your misfortune with apathy, or you can face it with enthusiasm and choose to live life whole-heartedly.

Think about how you feel each morning? Do you wake up feeling tired and dreading the day, or are you full of energy, ready to kick butt?! I can hear you now, “well, I’m not a morning person.” But regardless of our genetic makeup, that ability to feel engaged and activated is a choice. I really like this book because it rejuvenated my perspective on life. It reminded me that your attitude determines your direction. Regardless of your current situation or the task at hand, your energy and drive is what will inspire you to make a change – and it will inspire others.

Written by Destiny Van Rooy

Destiny is our Client Experience Coordinator. She has extensive experience with much of our behind-the-scenes legal work and knowledge of the criminal case process. Her background helps our business and client service continue to grow simultaneously, by making sure that the human element of the legal experience is not lost on the good people we represent. Destiny moved to the Northwest from Arizona, promising to never look back. She’s fully embraced her new life in Oregon and loves riding her bike around Portland. She also loves meeting new people, dancing, crafting and catching live music shows with her husband, London.