Beginnings and Endings

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

–  Lyric from “Closing Time” by Semisonic

Warning:  This week is going to be an emotion-filled week for your author.  The Tallest of The Three is competing for the State Championship with his basketball teammates for the final time.  This senior class leads a gifted team that is the odds-on favorite to win it all in what will be the final year of the school’s existence before it splits to accommodate our fast-growing suburb.  Accordingly, posts this week will address or contemplate the coming together of emotions, rational thought, circumstances, and preparation. 

Maybe it’s the tournament, and maybe it’s what appears to be an early arrival to Spring here in the Midwest — whatever it is, I’m contemplating beginnings and endings lately.  I hypothesize that there are dozens or more beginnings for every ending we face in business, and maybe in life in general.

Suppose a prospect says, “No!”  Is that an ending?  It might be.  Or it could be the beginning of a “next” pass at winning the business.  It could be the beginning of a better pass at winning business at another prospect, unencumbered by the challenge of time spent on the buyer that said, “Nein!”  If we boil it down, every moment holds promise for the chapter that follows.

When Dan Wilson was writing the song, his daughter had just been born, and he “thought everyone would get” that it was about starting fresh, being born — at least being in the moment. Not only did audiences not “get it,” we often don’t, either.

What will we do next?   And, what lessons will we carry into that thing from that thing we did before it?

Years ago, I worked with a guy named Terry.  He was, everyone agreed, a helluva sales pro.  Every morning, people would say, “Hey, Terry!  How you doin’?”  And every morning, every time, he’d reply, “I’ve never had a bad day in my life, and I’m sure not going to start today!”

That might be the textbook definition of “getting it.”

“You don’t have to go home, but you can’t — stay — here.”  That’s another line from the song.  It’s also a good reminder for all of us as we begin another work week.