Try It Again
-An exclusive excerpt from Allen’s new book-
Most of my internship with Quaker Oats didn’t involve the Cap’n Crunch costume but making sales calls at grocery stores in towns and cities across Texas. It’s in that environment that I learned a second lesson on how to get unstuck.
Of the hundreds of stores I visited, one had the reputation for chewing up sales reps. The manager was a bear. He was really short—in attitude and in height. He stood on a two-foot platform at the center of his store so he could tower over everyone—which helped with his height but made the attitude even worse.
When I walked in, I did my best to act like seeing a really short man standing on a raised platform was normal. I introduced myself, handed him my sales sheet, and hoped for the best. As I made my pitch, he stared at me while slowly crumpling my sales sheet in his palm. Then he threw the paper ball toward the entrance.
I felt stuck. I had to get an order from the store. And he’d pretty much ended that possibility. With little to lose, I realized I had a choice about what would happen. I could be offended. I could walk out defeated. Or I could respond with calm tenacity.
“Wait here,” I said casually. “I’ll be right back.” I retrieved the wadded piece of paper, smoothed it out, and re-engaged the wizard on his mighty platform. “Okay, let’s try this again. But this time,” I said, winking, “I’ll hold the sales sheet.”
He raised an eyebrow and cracked a smile. The angry bear suddenly became a teddy bear. From that point on, he was one of my favorite store managers. But only after I passed his test of engaging his gruff demeanor with gentle strength.
I refused to take his actions personally—which allowed me to see the humor of the situation. In that moment, I began to feel compassion for the little man on the big platform. I was unoffendable and the most free person in the store.
You’re likely facing a test now. Rather than choose offense or resignation, there is another option. With God’s help, you can choose calm tenacity. Doing so will help you move forward rather than stay stuck.
(From The Creativity Glitch: How to Stop Being Stuck, Find Your Groove, & Create with God.Copyright © 2026 Allen Arnold.)
This reading was crafted to encourage your pursuit of story and creativity with God. Your donation makes this crowd-funded initiative possible. You can support it via PAYPAL (or by check to Allen Arnold at PO Box 62841, Colorado Springs, CO 80962).
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