I suck at sales. I am happy to market as an operations director. An executive meeting with people and presenting our service. I loved marketing as a chaplain. I had credibility. I was a care provider first and foremost. A dedicated professional taking time to share my passion.
Marketing as a chaplain or a director makes my energy flow in a positive direction. sales as a singular focus drains my soul. Dale Carnegie advised to “avoid the acute angle” when dealing with people. Sales for me was an acute angle. A good chaplain validates your viewpoint to find peace. A good sales person invalidates your viewpoint to disrupt your buying pattern. A chaplain is seen as someone who gives. A sales person takes.
The change in career damaged me. I loved being a chaplain. I spent four years in seminary, studying learning, doing ministry. I earned a masters of divinity from an accredited institution. I completed thirteen units of clinical pastoral education. I preached hundreds of sermons. Performed wedding ceremonies, baptisms, funerals. Led prayer groups, bible studies, guided meditations. I spent hours deliberately working to calm my energy so when I walked into a persons home they felt peace in my presence.
I gave that up. It is easy to see in retrospect the trouble I would have with sales. I worked as a professional chaplain for 11 years. I worked in sales for eleven years. The memories of being a Chaplin fills my heart with happiness. The memories of my sales career hollows out the core of my soul.
I accept the choices I made. I appreciate the lessons I learned.
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