A Success Secret

In the course of a meeting, between high achieving salespeople from across the country, ‘the grand old man’ himself; a man who consistently had the highest sales figures for the last 20 years, earned more money than even the owner of his company, got up to speak.

“I’m now going to reveal the secret of my success,” he said. “I wrote it on a piece of paper and put it in this envelope. Success must be earned. So, I’m going to sell the envelope to the highest bidder. You have my word, it contains what I promised – the true secret of my success, not only as a salesman, but in my wider life”.

The bidding started slowly… £5, then £10, then £50, £100, £200, and on it went. Finally, one of his colleagues bought the envelope for £1000. The elated buyer clutched the envelope, keeping it to himself until he arrived home that night. Alone with the treasured piece of paper, only then did he open it; to learn the esteemed secret of success.

What do you think was written on the piece of paper?

Consider what comes to mind, before reading on.

What was written on the piece of paper was worth much more than the monetary value paid for its ownership.

The buyer enthusiastically tore open the envelope, unfolded the piece of paper and read the following hand-written words:

The secret to success is… to ask

Those two words are worth thinking of and applying throughout life.

As said by entrepreneur and publisher Malcom Forbes “One who never asks either knows everything or nothing”.

Let’s face it, nobody is truly omniscient.