Sea Shells and Salespeople

Walking along the sandy beach of Sanibel Island this morning, I came to the realization that sea shells and salespeople have a lot in common.

They all look the same from a distance, but after you really look at them closely, they have some tremendous differences.

No one knows the journey they have been on that brings them to where they are now. You know as much about the pear whelk or four-toothed nerite as you do about the next visitor to your open house or the walk-in for your next opportunity time.

Both shells and people have no choice but to “go with the flow.”

Only the strong ones will survive being tossed around and stepped on.

We all have a story of where we came from but many don’t seem to care about the details. Who we were doesn’t always mean as much as where we are now.

The further away from the current, the less chance you have of changing your current position.

Much like the old real estate saying, your ability to be found is all about “location, location, location.” Just think of how many awesome shells there are just 20 – 30 yards from shore that are incredible, perfect for some shadowbox in a midwestern attorney’s home office or the final piece to the ultimate collection in someone’s second home. We’re all just the ebb of a tide or the crest of a wave away from stardom.

Not everyone is looking for the same thing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Many get chosen but upon further inspection, get tossed back in the pile due to some imperfection. Not to worry – there are plenty of beachcombers and tourists still walking up and down the shoreline.

In the end, it usually all works out…

Regardless of whether you get picked today or not, no one really minds if they have to hang out on the beach all day.