The Greatest Salesman in the World, Part II by OG Mandino

“The Greatest Salesman in the World, Part II” is the second book in this two part series by OG Mandino. The book picks up where the last one left off, just a few years into the future. Hafid is now an even older man, but he is no longer in the sales business; he has become a great orator. It is at the end of his last speech that he realizes that he must write down all he knows before his time is up. Thus, he creates ten new scrolls to be spread throughout the “four corners of the world”.

The first key point that I picked up from reading this book is Hafid’s second vow to success: “The only valid price tag is the one we attach to ourselves. If we price ourselves too low, the world will agree. But if we price ourselves with the very best, the world also willingly accepts that valuation.” I think this is an important thought process to adopt because it shows that the world follows along and is taught how to treat us in direct relation to how we tell it to. Therefore, each of us should be careful of “underpricing” and devaluing ourselves.

The second key point can be found in Hafid’s third mantra: “Never again will I consider that whatever I must do to support my existence is labor, for then I will feel the strain of necessity in my work and hours of each day will endure for what seems an eternity.” I can completely relate to this. Hafid teaches that instead we should look to our days with enthusiasm, and that enthusiasm will lead not only to better performance, but a happier disposition when time seems to fly by.

The third major point is perhaps my favorite. We should always strive to not be disagreeable to anyone we meet, regardless of how disagreeable they are. Hafid points out that “No talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character are required to set up in the business of grumbling, and nothing is easier than faultfinding. He points out that when we encourage this type of behavior, we waste our time and forfeit our opportunities with years of frowns, scowls, and angry glances. I also think this is the point that would be most beneficial for everyone in our office to learn. How many times have we spent a day consumed with anger towards an uncooperative judge, prosecutor, or opposing attorney, only to then go home and complain or mentally mull over it? That is a whole days efforts wasted on someone who probably went about their day completely unfazed, and perhaps successful! We must learn to treat everyone with kindness, and in turn we may just turn an enemy into a friend.

The fourth major point of this book is this: there are no times in life when opportunity, the chance to be and do, gathers so richly about your soul as when it has to suffer cruel adversity. We often search for the perfect opportunities, but what we must realize is that the greatest opportunities never come dressed in finery or gilded in gold. They look like hard work, and they usually come at our lowest point. We should embrace our opportunities whenever they come.

Finally, the fifth, and most important point I garnered from this book is to always examine your deeds at the end of the day. Hafid remarks that often he has found that his opinion might have been withheld for it stung, but did no good. “The thing was true but all truths are not to be spoken at all times,” especially when trying to contend with fools or with your superiors. This particular point I found to be quite powerful and an eye-opener. As a perky soon to be lawyer, it has always been my goal to be truthful in all things, even if that means being quite blunt. This passage really made me adjust my thinking, and I realized there have been great instances in my life, where I have wasted my breath trying to speak the truth to close minded individuals. Not to say that this passage is trying to teach us to be deceiving or to never speak the truth, but more so that there is a time and a place for when you should speak the truth.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed this two part series. It comes wrapped in many wise words of wisdom, which unfortunately I cannot share them all! I would highly encourage a first read through of this book. A copy will soon be making it into my personal collection.