A Dedication to a Cause

     In our nation’s capital lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial to all those who have fought and lost their lives in defense of our nation. The stark, marble-faced Tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, by a special team of armed military guards since 1930. These guards are on duty, one at a time, for 30 minutes per shift, and the Changing of the Guard is one of the most solemn displays of patriotism in our country.     

 To be considered as a guard, you must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall, and have a waist size no larger than 30 inches. You must dedicate two years of your life to guarding the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and refuse to swear, drink alcohol, or disgrace the uniform by fighting -- either on or off duty -- for the rest of your life. 

You cannot talk to anyone for the first six months of your duty, and you cannot watch TV. In your off-hours, you must study and memorize the lives and details of the 175 notable people that are buried in Arlington National Cemetery, including the locations of where they are entombed. These include President Taft, boxer Joe Louis, and Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII.

Every guard spends five hours a day preparing his uniform for duty. There are no wrinkles, folds, or even a speck of lint on the uniform, and they get dressed in front of a full-length mirror. The specially-made shoes have very thick soles to protect from the extreme heat and cold, and contain metal plates in the heels that extend to the top of the shoes in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

Twenty-one steps, in precise military cadence, in one direction. Twenty-one seconds of motionless, at-attention silence. A precise about-face, and another twenty-one steps in the opposite direction. Another twenty-one seconds of silence, an about-face, and the process repeats. Every minute, every day, for the past 87 years.

When Hurricane Isabelle threatened the D.C. area in 2003, the members of Congress stayed home for two days in anticipation of the dangerous weather. It was reported that those who are in charge of the military personnel that guard the Tomb were given permission to suspend the assignment. They politely refused, saying that it was the highest honor they could possibly achieve as a serviceman... and in the driving wind and pelting rain, soaked to the skin, the Tomb was kept safely and honorably under guard.        

What cause are you dedicated to as a professional? What are you willing to do -- or NOT do -- to become the very best at the job with which you're entrusted?

Those in sales who dedicate themselves to their cause are:

• Willing to regularly read and study the very latest books, podcasts, and videos available on the subject in their off-hours;
• Open to learning from others in their field; 
• Devoted to networking regularly and getting to know others, either potential prospects or others in their industry, and maintaining those new relationships;
• Taking the proper time and attention they need to honor their employer by looking their best on the job each day.

Dedicate yourself to a cause -- your customers -- and decide exactly what you're willing to do to help them get to where they want to be.

-- Bill Guertin is President/CEO of Stadium Gorilla, a market-leading sales training and consulting company that works with nearly 100 pro sports teams and university athletic programs to increase sales revenue and profits. Reach out to Bill at [email protected], or online at www.StadiumGorilla.com.