As a sales trainer, one thing I have taught sales people and audiences for the last 30 years is this: “In every situation, crisis, or tragedy that comes your way you have a choice.”

Every good leader and sales trainer knows that the two most common choices are to:

1) React in FEAR; or

2) React in FAITH.

It's a choice!

Let’s suppose you’re standing on the railroad tracks like the old newspaper cartoon. Your feet are in cement, you can’t move and the train is coming. The light from the train engine is getting closer and you’re about to get run over. You’ve got two choices; choose FEAR or choose FAITH.

Before I was a sales and leadership trainer/speaker, I was a minister. During those years of ministry, I was no stranger to funerals. I was a chaplain at the local hospital for a time and one of my duties was to be available for emergencies. I had to be on call for the Emergency Room. Today I’m on call for training and leadership emergencies all over the globe! Ha!

During my hospital chaplain days, some patients were flown into the Emergency Room by helicopter and did not survive. When people did not have a church home or pastor, I was often asked to help with funeral arrangements. Funerals are a great occasion to talk about the many accomplishments and faith successes of one’s life, and they are a great time to talk about the future of those still living!

Years ago, my good friend, Paul Anderson, invited me to travel to Singapore with him and share the stage at a huge insurance and sales event. It was an awesome experience which was ultimately the start of my career as an international speaker and sales and leadership trainer.

While on the airplane to Singapore I met a man who told me about the funeral he just attended. It was a funeral for one of his “bad habits” he said. I was intrigued so I listened intently. He told me of his life long struggle with smoking, and said that for too long he had given himself permission to “try” to kick the habit. However, sadly, he failed time and time again.