Self Belief

byfrh

89 followers

Updated 9 years ago

This is a very short story about the importance of 'self belief'.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

It was October 2012. I had just taken the plunge to take on some amazing premises that I would use as an Art Gallery. My sister called me up and said she had a friend who painted as a 'self-taught' artist. She had mentioned to her that I was looking for new artists and that by the end of their conversation, Lynne was going to call in to see me.

Sure enough, a couple of days later Lynne arrived with not enough arms, to carry all the work she had brought in. It was falling all over the place. I helped her prop them up against the wall and she disappeared off, only to come back in with another HUGE painting, a portrait and the one you see here.

"You can be totally honest with me and just say, if you don't like them" were her first words to me. (Note: negative comment!)

My first word to her was "WOW!" followed by ... 'AMAZING!' followed by ... "I absolutely love it!"!

I couldn't take my eyes off that large painting. There was something about it that oozed quality!

"I'm glad you like it" she said "I've never sold anything before so I'll be really happy with just anything". (Note: negative comment!).

I noticed that it wasn't signed. So I made her sign it.

'Are you sure? This is a little embarrassing" she said. (Note: negative comment!)

'Absolutely!' said I ... 'And what about price? mmmm a figure was dancing around in my mind .. What can I achieve for this painting? ... it came to me very quickly ..

'Like I said ..I will accept anything for it, I'll leave it up to you!"

The figure wouldn't leave my mind and I blurted out that I was sure I could sell it for (a figure just short of £1000). I virtually had to pick Lynne up from the floor. ... And off she went away very happy .. And hopefully with some renewed confidence in her ability.

The tables were reversed. The ball was now in my court!

"Oh my goodness, what have I done" thought I, and carried on sorting and hanging paintings. I was so engrossed and 'enjoying myself' i did not even notice, a man had come in and was browsing .....

"I know you are probably closed but can you bear with me I won't be a second" he said.

He returned with his wife ... They both went straight to the portrait! I apologised that I had not even had the time to hang it because it had just come in that day. In fact just a few hours before! I knew what the next question was going to be .. and I confidently quoted the price I had agreed earlier with Lynne when they asked.

"I'm so glad I stopped off he said". His wife had decided to stay in the car as he was only intending to have a very quick browse since, as an art lover, he spotted the gallery was new! It seems that he had made up his mind the moment he saw Lynne's portrait. Popped out to get the approval of his wife (as you do!!!) ... And before I knew it, the sale was made. They left, very happy .. And I closed shop, very quickly! The rest of the evening was a blur ..... If I hadn't stayed on late I would have missed them ... Had one of my friends 'set me up'? ... this was far too good to be true! They were only in for minutes, can they really have made a decision on a major purchase in such a short space of time?

To cut a long story short. They were and still are, over the moon with their magnificent painting. Lynne just could not believe it when I told her it was sold the same day! .. At the price we had agreed! I tend to try and trust my instincts more now and have more belief in my own ability to do a good job! ... And I hope this true story encourages you to do the same. Believe in yourself and go for it!