How to be Miserable in Sales
I recently read a book by a gentleman named John Bytheway entitled “How to be Totally Miserable”. It’s a fantastic little book that gets people to think about the things they do to either make themselves miserable, or to make themselves stay miserable. Of course, I finished reading and thought about how it could apply to those of us who have made sales our living. Here are some of his more salient points and how you and I can be Miserable in Sales:
1. Use your Imagination to Worry
How often have you and I sabotaged ourselves by imagining the most elaborate ways for a project or proposal to go south? I worried so much about one deal that I pictured the signed contracts burning up in a fiery crash on I-80 because the UPS truck veered off the interstate when the driver fell asleep. This scenario had a complete back story as t0 why the driver was sleepy and everything.
Don’t waste your creative faculties on the wasteful obsession we call worrying. Use that creativity to spark interest and create sales!
2. Believe Things Will NEVER Change
We are people driven by belief, you and I. What we believe can happen drives our actions. If we ponder on how things will never change we become less inclined to do anything. This makes it extremely likely that things either won’t change, or they’ll take a turn for the worse. Spend your time and energy being an agent of sales change. If you want things better, go make it better. Things can change, and will if you take action.
3. Don’t Do Anything
If you want to feel uninspired, worthless, and tired…don’t do anything. Literally doing nothing will not only guarantee you don’t sell, it will guarantee you don’t succeed. That is misery! If you don’t feel like doing anything…make a call. It’s amazing how talking with a prospect, or getting a mentor on the phone can help you get the perspective you need to keep moving.
4. Blame Everyone and Everything
Regardless of our political leanings, you and I can agree that President Obama blaming Bush and Republicans blaming President Obama and Democrats has been a major reason for the rise in political apathy over the past few years. Most people don’t like to hear excuses. Pointing the finger doesn’t help individuals to move forward. It doesn’t help nations advance. It certainly won’t help you and I make sales. Skip the process altogether and work out your success!
5. Be a breath of Stale Air
This one is great! I’ll bet you know someone who spends the majority of their waking hours complaining. In fact, they probably dream in negative tones and they allow that to be an excuse (see point number 4) to be miserable throughout their day. They refuse to let people cheer them up and are “content” in their misery. Do you like to be around them? I know I don’t. So, DON’T be one of these people. You don’t have to be the life of the party (though it’s great fun). You need only be someone who encourages others and shines through example.
In sales, as in life, we can bring about negative outcomes. Ultimately, you and I are responsible for our own success. Avoid these steps to being miserable in sales and watch your sales grow!
By: Brian McFadyen
Think of how many other areas in life this applies to…. ALL OF THEM.