About Over-thinking 3

It's clear I am a writing novice and, on this topic, a dog with a bone.

At the same time, I do know more than a little something about learning, talent and skill development.

One of the most difficult positions to fill successfully in organizations is sales.  There are some telling similarities between selling and writing.  

First, a top notch sales representative is almost certainly 'born' with talent, identified early as a 'naturally' persuasive person.  For instance, many of us can be better at sales than we are now.  However, without some early signs of talent, we are unlikely to develop into the poster child for sales representative of the decade.   Possibly, but not likely.  It is the same for writing.  Anybody might have one hit book if the subject is interesting enough, but sustained demonstration of high performance over time is unlikely.

Second, sales is a creative activity.  Like authors and poets, salespersons need to adjust their performance in tune with their intended audience.  A writer of childrens' books has specialized skills as does the writer of mysteries.

Third, there is more than one approach to sales, the same as there is more than one approach to writing.  There are always Jack Kerouac type exceptions but writing a novel usually requires more planning than writing a short story, for instance.  Selling pots and pans is different than selling consulting services is different than retailing clothing.   Hard to say if born-in talent is as specific as that.  It is more likely to assume that motivation and enthusiasm for as certain audience or product or genre is more important.

Forth, there is character.  Both occupations, regardless of level of success require oodles of grit over the long term.

Fifth, there is an openness to seeing where you have been wrong and correcting it in future.  This is a characteristic not shared by many administrators or others who spend their lives defending actions and opinions that are less than dazzling successes.

So, all in all, any 'how to' writing book may provide you with useful guidance from time to time, but for it to claim any level of revealed authority is incorrect.

Avoid drinking their Kool-Aid.