The Sales Stoic

“First, decide the kind of person you want to be, then take the actions that align with it. This applies to nearly every pursuit in life. Athletes, for example, choose their sport first—then commit to the training it requires.” - Epictetus

Success isn’t random, it follows a formula and the best salespeople don’t rely on luck; they figure out what works and repeat it.

Consistency beats short bursts of effort every time.

Want to be known for trustworthiness, persistence, or empathy? Define it first. Then, align your daily actions with that visio...

“Philosophy isn’t about appearances; it’s about recognising what truly matters and staying mindful of it.” - Musonius Rufus

Your reputation isn’t built on perfect pitches or easy wins. It’s shaped in the tough conversations, the objections, and the moments when frustration creeps in.

Do you stay patient and professional, or let desperation take over?

Neither Philosophy, nor sales are about appearances. They’re about what truly matters: your character in every moment, not just the polished ones.

Clients remember who listens, who cares, and who puts their needs first.<...

“Just as each person’s sense of what’s rational or irrational differs, so too does their view of good and evil, or what’s useful and useless. That’s why education matters—so we can learn to refine our assumptions about reason and logic in alignment with nature.” - Epictetus

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What’s "good" or "rational" varies from person to person.

The key to thriving is staying true to yourself.

Sales is like comedy - find your voice, don’t imitate others. Experiment with different styles until you discover what feels...

“Look up at the stars and picture yourself moving with them. Reflect often on how the elements transform into one another—such thoughts clear away the distractions of everyday life.” - Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius reminds us to look up and to see beyond daily frustrations and focus on the bigger picture.

Like the North Star guiding travelers, our goals should serve as steady points of direction in an unpredictable world.

Setbacks? Challenging clients? Missed deals?

They’re just passing moments in a long journey.

Keep moving, stay patient, and trus...

Actionable tips:

Instead of focusing solely on the end goal, set goals around your daily actions (e.g., “Have five quality conversations each day”) to stay grounded.Don’t let the pressure to hit numbers control your well-being. Focus on mastering your skills and building strong client relationships instead of chasing every sale.

“Tantalus: The greatest power is—

Thyestes: No power at all, if you want for nothing." - Seneca

Desire can be a trap.

The chase for more, whether it’s deals, status, or recognition, can leave you unfulfilled. True power c...

Actionable tips:

Keep track of the skills you’re building and the strategies you’re improving, rather than just the praise or numbers.When a deal closes (or falls through), give yourself a moment to detach from the outcome. Remember, it’s just one of many, not the whole story.

“Flip it around and see what happens—how it changes when it’s aged, broken, or selling itself. How fleeting are both the admirer and the admired, the one who remembers and the one remembered.” - Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius encourages us to "flip it around" and...

Actionable tips:

Practise healthy avoidance. When faced with a difficult client or situation, take a step back. Acknowledge the challenge without letting it consume your focus. Decide how to approach the situation calmly.In moments of frustration or unexpected challenges, remind yourself that these hurdles are temporary. Keep your eyes on the bigger picture and don't get distracted by short-term setbacks. Acknowledge the challenge, then keep moving forward with your strategy, knowing that each round you survive gets you closer to your ultimate objective.Instead of viewing challenges as personal attacks or threats, see them as opportunities to...

Actionable tips:

After a challenging call or lost deal, review what went wrong and consider what you could do to improve.Don’t shy away from asking clients or colleagues for input. This feedback loop will help you identify blind spots and refine your approach.

“If anyone can show me that my thinking or actions are wrong, I’m happy to change—because I’m after the truth, and the truth never hurts anyone. It’s those who cling to lies and ignorance who suffer.” - Marcus Aurelius

Being wrong isn’t a failure, it’s an opportun...

Actionable tips:

Before diving into any deal, strip it of buzzwords and look at its fundamentals. Ask, "What’s the core benefit here?"Be mindful of distractions and avoid over-idealising a deal. Challenge yourself to focus on the long-term value, not just the excitement or short-term rewards. By staying focused on what's truly important, you can resist being swept up by external pressures and maintain a clear, steady course toward sustainable success.Break down your targets into actionable steps without over-hyping the stakes. This helps avoid overwhelm and keeps you grounded in each task.

“Just as when...

Actionable tips:

Remind yourself that while you can’t control outcomes, you can control your reaction. Before each call, set an intention to focus on being calm and resourceful.When things feel overwhelming, take a moment to breathe deeply and refocus on what you can influence, your thoughts and responses.

“You are made of three parts—body, breath, and mind. The first two are simply in your care, but only the third truly belongs to you.” - Marcus Aurelius

So much is out of our control: prospects’ decisions, market shifts, competition, etc. But your mindset? T...