As I was growing up, my dad would constantly make me make decisions. My parents would never order for me at restaurants, I had to decide what I wanted to eat and place my order, on my own. From the time I could talk, anytime my dad had the opportunity, he would force me to make decisions. I never realized how much I appreciated it until I started going out to eat with my friends and their families. It always amazes me how many kids still have their parents decide and order for them. Even in college, I have gone out to eat with friends and their families and the college student still cannot decide on their own. The parents have to talk them through what to eat, at the age of 21. Making decisions, as easy of a concept as it is, can debilitate people, if they do not learn how to do it.
Sandler Rule # 36 talks about the importance of making decisions. The rule states, “Only decision makers can get others to make decisions.” The point of the rule is that, if we, as sales people, cannot make a decision of whether the prospect is a good prospect or not or when we 
should move to the next point in the sale, we cannot expect the prospects to make a decision about whether they should buy the product or not. For instance, imagine going to a restaurant and the server just stands there staring at you. If she does not decide to give you a menu, you are not going to decide to order anything. This rule seems to be common sense but after seeing so many students at Grove City struggle with simple decisions, it makes me question their ability to make decisions in a sales process. Forcing ourselves to make decisions in everyday life, can help us learn how to make decisions in a sales process, such as when to ask if they are ready to close the deal or even deciding to approach someone to tell them about the product.
BoweryJE22
I think this is a great “Sandler Rule.” I just read an article about the 10 essential sales principles that are often botched or overlooked, and this was one of them. It just goes to show that this is not easy for everyone, but I think what your parents did with you was great. It’s important from a young age to learn about decision making and responsibility. Decision making is a key part of everything in life, in fact I’ve read that it’s better to have a CEO who is decisive in his/her decision making even if they sometimes make the wrong one, than to have a CEO who is indecisive and wishy washy/fickle.
This is a great post! Sometimes making decisions in a timely manner can be very tough for people and I’ve seen it first hand as well. Being decisive is very important when you need to decide whether to continue through the sales process with a prospect or not. Making decisions in everyday life is important to simply get through life as well as be a successful salesperson.