Dharma Bum

Yep.

Recommended..

This weekend I actually made it to a movie, something I do about twice a year. There was motivation for me on this one because, well, it is set in Paris. Fortunately it turned out be a great film in my not so humble opinion. I loved this film for two reasons;

1. Woody Allen made a cinematic love letter to Paris.

2. The story is a fun meditation on how we are always pining for a time other than our present. It really spoke to me.

Curious?

Movie Review

So I'm pretty much laid up and having my own little film festival over here and just watched a great one that I need to recommend. Paris Je'Taime is a collection of 18 five minute films all based in my favorite city. Some are sad, some are funny and some are intense. There's my film review for you. Go rent this film. It captures the city pretty well in my opinion.....and it'll put a tear in your eye.

Coffee is For Closers

This is one of my all time favorite scenes from any movie:

I used to work for that guy. The first job I ever had in sales was with that guy. Not that guy exactly of course but he was pretty close. Basically everything I learned in the beginning, good and bad I learned from that guy. My first boss was the most unethical man you could ever meet but he was smart. No denying it.

I loved the sales game. As a high school drop out there weren't a lot of opportunities coming my way and when this guy gave me a shot I took to it like a fish to water. He gave me the opportunity to determine my own income. If I was willing to work hard the sky was the limit. I loved it. Every day was a battle, facing rejection over and over, the camaraderie of being in the "trenches" with the other salespeople and of course him yelling at us when we didn't get the job done. And nothing is better than the feeling of landing the big account. It still moves me.

Fortunately for me, my second boss in my career was the most ethical man I would meet. My second boss had an even bigger impact on who I am today professionally. He was the one that got me to see that sales could truly be a profession and could take me far if done ethically and professionally. I still meet with him from time to time when I seek advice.

I love that scene because it reminds me where I've come from and where I am now. And it makes me proud to be successful in sales, a profession that scares a lot of people.