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Why Children Are the Best Salespeople and How You Can Learn From Them

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A mom is shopping with her three-year-old, who happens to find the PERFECT rainbow stuffed fish they can’t live without.

“Mom! Can I get this?” 

“Not today, sweetie. Let’s put it back.”

“I’ve been good all week, and you told me if I’m good all week, I can get a prize.”

“It’s Tuesday.”

“Can I just keep it while we’re in the store?”

“Sure.”

Never once does the child give up on getting the toy. They just switch tactics. Kids make excellent sales teachers because they show you that selling is the foundation of relationships. Every relationship you have is about getting the other person to buy into something, share something, give something, or experience something with you. When you start to see how often you naturally sell, sales become easier because you stop fighting your sales instincts.

Kids don’t let the word no discourage them

As a matter of fact, kids often let the word “NO” fire them up, trying harder for what they want (AKA: the sale). You’ve seen this often with successful people. Michael Jordan, who was cut from his high school basketball team, went on to become (arguably) the most legendary basketball player in NBA history to date. Einstein failed the entrance exam to the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School. J.K. Rowling was rejected by twelve publishing houses before her worldwide phenomenon, Harry Potter, was accepted. And the stories of not taking “no” for an answer don’t stop there! Stories of overcoming rejection are everywhere, and part of every successful person’s experience. 

So where’s the line? Most often, “no” means “not right now” or not this particular prospect. Your job is to show up, serve, and make the offer that fits the prospect. If the prospect isn’t ready or says “no” today, that doesn’t mean they never want to talk about it again (unless that’s what they tell you). Following up is key, but here’s the deal. You don’t follow up to make the sale, you follow up to see where your prospect is in their journey and what they need. That will show you when to ask for the sale again. 

Keep in mind that getting a “no” doesn’t mean your product is bad. More than likely, you’re talking to the wrong people. If you allow all of the “no’s” discourage you from selling your product, then you’re going to continue to struggle with sales. When you hear a bunch of “no’s”, ask yourself if you’re selling to the right people or if there’s another market you should be serving with your offer. 

The times “no” means “STOP! Do not pass go!” is when the prospect has laid out clear, distinct boundaries and persisting infringes on their consent. If a prospect says, “Stop calling me,” or “This offer isn’t right for me. I don’t want to talk anymore,” then they have made it clear that the conversation is over. 

Making offers should always be for the benefit of the prospect. So make sure you respect their boundaries, and when it comes to making sales, don’t drop the ball on your follow up game. 

“Approach each customer with the idea of helping him or her to solve a problem or achieve a goal, not of selling a product or service.” – Brian Tracy

Kids master indirect pressure

Kids know how to use “indirect pressure.” Indirect pressure is a way to follow up with authority, instead of apologetically. Here’s an example of kids applying indirect pressure: 

“Daddy, remember when you said the next time we go to the store, I can definitely get a toy? You said that right? You remember you said it, right?” 

Before Daddy has time to remember if he actually said that, he’s in the car, on the way to the store. 

In a sales environment, this looks a little different, but the concept is the same. In this example, notice the difference between the novice salesperson and the expert salesperson.

If a prospect says they’ll be more available to talk next week, when you call them back don’t say, “I just wanted to call you back,” or “I’m just checking in.” An expert salesman says “Hey, John. You told me to follow up with you this week, so I’m calling to follow up. I’m excited to share with you what I have.”

The novice’s words have an undertone of “not wanting to be a bother”, which comes across as apologetic and weak. The expert’s words are acknowledging the agreement with the prospect and moving the conversation forward with confidence. This one skill can be a make or break in your follow up toolbox. 

Kids never lose passion for what they want

Children are not afraid to ask directly for the sale because they believe in what they’re asking for. Think about this in your life. It doesn’t matter if there’s a movie you want to see, a restaurant you want to go to, or a grill you’ve been eyeing, if you believe that getting or doing that thing will make your life better in some way, then you’re going to ask for it. 

It’s no different in sales. No matter how many times you’ve pitched your product or service, you need to not only believe in the power of your offer, you also need to have that same sharp, enthusiastic tone and demeanor every time you speak to a prospect. It’s not just the words that sell your offer, it’s your tone and body language that mostly conveys what your prospect needs to know to make their decision. To put it bluntly, if you don’t believe in the power of your offer and you’re not excited to get behind it, why would your prospect?

 If you are confident in your solution, there will be no reluctance in asking for the sale because you understand what your offer will do for your prospect—and that is EXCITING! 

“For every sale you miss because you were too enthusiastic, you’ll miss a hundred because you weren’t enthusiastic enough.” – Zig Ziglar

Kids don’t get stuck on one prospect

What do kids do if someone in the family says “NO”? First, they ask one parent, then they ask another. If that doesn’t work, they ask grandma, their favorite aunt or uncle, and then they eventually loop back around to whichever parent is most likely to say yes. 

This is where so many people struggle with sales. Don’t get tunnel vision with one prospect. There’s a whole sea of prospects, even within tight niches.

Sales is the natural order of things. You sell all day, every day, in most of the conversations you have. When you face sales in business, you need to give yourself permission to actually engage with and feel empowered by the process.

Ben Buckwalter is an award winning sales strategist and serial entrepreneur working with business owners, companies, and corporations to master their selling process so they can consistently magnetize ideal prospects and scale exponentially using the Infinity Sales Method™. Ben’s clients have seen epic results, such as gaining millions of social media followers, getting 300+ million video views, experiencing over 300% ROI, and increasing their sales numbers so significantly, that his clients keep coming back again and again for more of Ben’s one-of-a-kind sales philosophy and guidance. His genius has also been featured in publications such as Entrepreneur, Future Sharks, Thrive Global, and more. If you want to learn more about unlocking your sales potential so you can scale your business quickly or get your sales team on point, click here to get your complimentary Essential Sales Prospecting Checklist.

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Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Personal Development

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Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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