Dear ,
I watched the movie Tolkien the other night and was fascinated by its treatment of the Norse mythology concept of Helheim, or Hel. A realm associated with those who died of old age or illness rather than in battle.
The idea, as the film presents it, was that dying peacefully was the wrong way for a warrior to go. Dying on a bed of straw was ignoble. Dying in battle was virtuous.
I wrote something many years ago about us being created as masterpieces. And that our job is to leave a masterwork. I posited that we'd not go to hell for our multitude of sins, but for not fulfilling our God-given purpose and using our innumerable talents to achieve this, whatever they may be.
On my 63rd birthday this year, one of my friends wished me well and said, "Let's have a coffee before we go to heaven, or at least before I do. I dunno where you're going."
He may be right. Hel awaits. Not because of my sins, although there are many. But because I sometimes treat this life arbitrarily. I don't always bring my best self to create the masterwork I was destined to leave. I sometimes spit in the face of the potential I was given.
But I will not be alone in Hel, will I?
I see so many people rotten with potential squander it. They take it for granted and live a life of ingratitude for being allowed to play here for a little while.
In my world, I come across many people, particularly salespeople. Rejection will never slay many of them. Because they never really enter the battle to risk being rejected. To get a bloody nose. To feel the pain of defeat and pick themselves up to face it again, and again, and again, so that one day they have a chance of standing victorious.
They see their role as a job to make commission, not as a quest to make a difference to their prospects. Sales is not an adventure to them. It's a chore. It's not exciting; it's draining. They don't want to go through the trials that might make them better at their craft and more useful to the people they serve.
In the movie, Tolkien and his tea club use "Helheimr!" as a cry to summon courage. A reminder that they didn't want to die in a straw bed, but in battle.
From now on, when I look at my phone and shudder at the thought of another rejection from another cold call, I shall shout "Helheimr!" I shall summon the goddess Virtus to shore up my flagging courage with bravery and moral excellence. I shall prevail. I shall have war stories.
Sadly, some salespeople will never have war stories or lessons to impart to their grandchildren because they chose the safe path of never having tried.
I understand the temptation. I sometimes choose it myself.
Victory or ignominy? We don't get to choose victory. But we get to choose whether we enter the battle.
You're the job,
Jacques
PS. If you choose to enter the battle, enter it with the right tools. Join me here on 22 October.
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