---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wasn't a very good salesman."
description: "\"I wasn't a very good salesman.\" — Sharon Van Etten"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/sharon-van-etten-3210_good_i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman-1698789_1698789.png"
---

#  I wasn't a very good salesman.

![“I wasn't a very good salesman.” quote by Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/sharon-van-etten-3210_good_i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman-1698789_1698789.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/sharon-van-etten-3210_good_i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman-1698789_1698789.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/sharon-van-etten-3210_good_i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman-1698789_1698789.png)

> “I wasn't a very good salesman.”

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker admits a lack of skill in sales, suggesting humility or a need for growth in that area.

**In simple terms:** She acknowledges being a poor salesperson.

Key Takeaway

Improve sales abilities if needed.

Themes

sales self-awareness humility

Mood

honest introspective

Type

personal professional

When to use this quote

- selling products
- networking
- customer interaction
- training
- feedback loops

Key Concepts

communication persuasion

Questions to Reflect On

- What steps could you take to become a better salesperson?
- How does this self‑assessment affect your goals?

A Different Perspective

Sales success often requires practice and confidence building.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Salesman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salesman/)

## Related quotes

> [When you're dealing with machines or anything that you build, it either works or it doesn't, no matter how good of a salesman you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-andreessen/when-you-re-dealing-with-machines-or-anything-that-you-build-it/)

[Marc Andreessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-andreessen/)

> [“You're good salesman, if you make people buy product they don't need.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/you-re-good-salesman-if-you-make-people-buy-product-they-don-t-need/)

[Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/)

> [I consider myself a good communicator and a good salesman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-schulman/i-consider-myself-a-good-communicator-and-a-good-salesman/)

[Dan Schulman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-schulman/)

> [Because you’re such a good salesman, and if you go work for a company, they’re going to use you as a salesman. If you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/because-you-re-such-a-good-salesman-and-if-you-go-work-for-a-company/)

[Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/)

> [What we need is a good salesman for Mississippi, someone who can effectively represent our interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-espy/what-we-need-is-a-good-salesman-for-mississippi-someone-who-can/)

[Mike Espy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-espy/)

> [I have a definite talent for convincing people to try something new. I am a good salesman. When I'm on form, I can sell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-have-a-definite-talent-for-convincing-people-to-try-something-new-i/)

[Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/)

> [I've never been a talker. I've never been a good salesman when it comes to selling fights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gustafsson/i-ve-never-been-a-talker-i-ve-never-been-a-good-salesman-when-it/)

[Alexander Gustafsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gustafsson/)

> [In the modern world of business, it is useless to be a creative original thinker unless you can also sell what you create. Management…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ogilvy/in-the-modern-world-of-business-it-is-useless-to-be-a-creative-2/)

[David Ogilvy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ogilvy/)

> [“Trump, despite his disappointment at Washington’s failure to properly greet and celebrate him, was, like a good salesman, an optimist. Salesmen, whose primary characteristic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wolff/trump-despite-his-disappointment-at-washington-s-failure-to-properly/)

[Michael Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wolff/)

> [I had some terrible times - comparatively speaking. I saddled myself with a load of debt, I wasn't liked by a lot of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcintyre/i-had-some-terrible-times-comparatively-speaking-i-saddled-myself/)

[Michael McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcintyre/)

> [Was leaving your plan all along, or did you just decide I wasn't good enough?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/was-leaving-your-plan-all-along-or-did-you-just-decide-i-wasn-t-good/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I tried a robin heart once. It wasn't very good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilia-clarke/i-tried-a-robin-heart-once-it-wasn-t-very-good/)

[Emilia Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilia-clarke/)

> [I have been in movies that I thought I wasn't very good in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/i-have-been-in-movies-that-i-thought-i-wasn-t-very-good-in/)

[Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/)

> [I was put off by people at school - my cabbage wasn't as good as other people's, you know, so that put me off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-mcgough/i-was-put-off-by-people-at-school-my-cabbage-wasn-t-as-good-as-other/)

[Roger McGough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-mcgough/)

> [I never used to watch MLS before so I had negative views. I thought it wasn't a good standard. When I got here I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-never-used-to-watch-mls-before-so-i-had-negative-views-i-thought-it/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

## More by Sharon Van Etten

> [I've always liked to learn how to do things - I'm a hobby person. So I'll learn something at a beginner's level, then usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-ve-always-liked-to-learn-how-to-do-things-i-m-a-hobby-person-so-i/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I work a lot with sounds based on stream of consciousness. I like the way it sounds, then I turn it into something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-work-a-lot-with-sounds-based-on-stream-of-consciousness-i-like-the/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [When I can write a song in a way where I feel like other people can relate to it, and I can take it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/when-i-can-write-a-song-in-a-way-where-i-feel-like-other-people-can/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I'm still learning how to be comfortable touring. I haven't found that balance yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-m-still-learning-how-to-be-comfortable-touring-i-haven-t-found-that/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I overthink everything. I'm just like, 'Wait, why do they want to hear me?' I start doubting myself. Other times, I'll just get so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-overthink-everything-i-m-just-like-wait-why-do-they-want-to-hear-me/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I didn't start writing with band arrangements until I was working on 'Tramp.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-didn-t-start-writing-with-band-arrangements-until-i-was-working-on/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I hit 'record' whenever I'm going through a really hard time. I don't listen to it for a couple of days, so I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-hit-record-whenever-i-m-going-through-a-really-hard-time-i-don-t/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I was so broken when I did the first record. I was living in my parents' basement, I didn't know anyone. I was broken-hearted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-was-so-broken-when-i-did-the-first-record-i-was-living-in-my/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I don't think I'll ever feel perfectly balanced, but I feel like I'm figuring it out, and I'm surrounded by really wonderful people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-don-t-think-i-ll-ever-feel-perfectly-balanced-but-i-feel-like-i-m/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I only write when I'm in a dark place. I hit 'record' and get it out, writing and playing my guitar at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-only-write-when-i-m-in-a-dark-place-i-hit-record-and-get-it-out/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I love how small the world is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-love-how-small-the-world-is/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [In 2015, I told my band that I was taking a break so I could focus on my home life, go back to school,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/in-2015-i-told-my-band-that-i-was-taking-a-break-so-i-could-focus-on/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [My goal is to become a therapist by the time I'm 50.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/my-goal-is-to-become-a-therapist-by-the-time-i-m-50/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [On first listen, it's nice to just soak up the sound without thinking about what it means. It's like a relationship. Records I've had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/on-first-listen-it-s-nice-to-just-soak-up-the-sound-without-thinking/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [I'm a late bloomer in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-m-a-late-bloomer-in-music/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

[Explore all 136 Sharon Van Etten quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

## More Good quotes

> [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/)

[Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/)

> [Today I didn't even have to even use my A.K ! I got to say it was a good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/today-i-didn-t-even-have-to-even-use-my-a-k-i-got-to-say-it-was-a/)

[Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/)

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [If you want to edit your photos and make yourself look different, go for it. That is up to you, but in my opinion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-list/if-you-want-to-edit-your-photos-and-make-yourself-look-different-go/)

[Peyton List](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-list/)

> [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. He told me I could approach him whenever I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthik-subbaraj/i-met-rajini-sir-after-jigarthanda-and-he-said-he-liked-my-film-he/)

[Karthik Subbaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthik-subbaraj/)

> [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/)

[Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/)

> [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/)

[Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/)

> [Eric Clapton's scales - when he comes off a high note and it's time for a refrain or a little bit of a rest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rea/eric-clapton-s-scales-when-he-comes-off-a-high-note-and-it-s-time-for/)

[Chris Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rea/)

> [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/)

[Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/)

> [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/)

[Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/)

> [My only close-to-game-plan is to follow good writing. If the writing is in TV or if it's in theater or in film, that's it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-driver/my-only-close-to-game-plan-is-to-follow-good-writing-if-the-writing/)

[Adam Driver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-driver/)

> [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/)

[Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/)

> [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/)

[Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/)

> [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/)

[Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/)

> [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/)

[Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/)

Browse all 40,882 Good quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I wasn't a very good salesman.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sharon Van Etten"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Good"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/sharon-van-etten-3210_good_i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman-1698789_1698789.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/sharon-van-etten-3210_good_i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman-1698789_1698789.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/sharon-van-etten-3210_good_i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman-1698789_1698789.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I wasn't a very good salesman.” — Sharon Van Etten",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sharon Van Etten",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I wasn't a very good salesman.",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-wasn-t-a-very-good-salesman/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```