Non-Implemented Beliefs

I happen to think that it's quite important for a kid to grow up with a strong feeling of self-reliance. I am sure that my actions, when I do things for my daughter, might make one wonder how much I believe in that, but I really do. I also think that it's important for a kid to acquire some degree of ability in salesmanship -- being able to persuade others to see things their way, to do things for them. Puppy dog eyes only go so far.

My problem is that I, personally, am not particularly good in selling other people on what I think. I'm not equipped with enough self-confidence to push ahead in the face of a less-than-delighted audience to get them to do what I want them to do. Everyone knows someone who's the exact opposite. A sort-of friend of ours is a mid-level exec for a local company. How persuasive is she? Well, she got her company to lend her the corporate jet so that she could fly her girl scout troop down south somewhere. I am in awe of people like that, just as I'm sure that to them, it's no big deal. I know that its possible for normal people. I even know that it might be possible for me. I just don't know how to do it. And I really don't know how to show my daughter how to do it.

This afternoon, we were visited by a friend who's daughter is selling stuff for a trip to Australia with a youth group. The trip's going to cost several thousand dollars. Her parents told her that if she drums up sales for half the amount, they'll fund the other half. Apparently, the kid's already sold six hundred dollars of one fund-raiser, and is on track for a couple of thousand dollars for another. And this is not some super-kid. She's actually on the quiet side-- but she's committed. She wants this trip -- and she's willing to get out and sell, sell, sell to make it happen. I remember selling things when I was a kid -- I was the usual 'sold twenty dollars, of which ten was my family and relatives'. Other kids, naturally, did about the same. A couple did phenomenally well. At the time, I thought 'well, some people are just better', but now I think ' why can't my child have this ability?'

And, where can she get it?