Priorities motivate rep

For Searle's David Washco, it was a "very honorable and very humbling experience" - not to mention a big surprise - when the company named him its 1998 rep of the year.

Washco had been a Searle rep - and a pharmaceutical rep - for less than two years. He credits conscientious habits, mentors' encouragement, a motivational team and a supportive company, plus something else, for his success: "It's because I have my priorities straight," he said with conviction. "If you have your faith first in your life, your family second and your job third, I believe you can do anything."

Last year, the Hickory, NC resident led his district sales team to be honored at Searle's Pro Club event, earned a trip to Paris in another performance-based contest and then became the company's most rookie rep of the year.

Washco, known for his unrelenting motivation, has written more than 100 thank-you notes per week to physicians he visits. Washco also tries to listen to 30 minutes of motivational tapes each day, calling his car his "educational wheels," and sharing his tapes and books throughout his district. He spends up to 30 minutes on research and study per day.

Away from work, Washco enjoys working out, softball, a Promise Keepers group and spending time with his wife and 15-month-old daughter. Beyond that, it's about keeping the faith. "I want to end each day so that God can tell me, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.' It all comes down to recognizing where your priorities are," he said, "And motivating yourself to stick to them."