Sales is tough and it’s even harder when it throws an unexpected curveball. You know this already, but that doesn’t make it easier to deal with when you’re faced with a difficult situation with your customers, does it? These strategies can help build you back up to forge ahead.

 

Resources:

• Download a special report: 7 Skills Needed to Overcome Adversity in Sales
• Take the first step on the path to finding the Missing Piece to Your Sales Success – click here to sign up for our free mini-course
• Ask Alen! Send me your sales-related questions and I will answer them in the upcoming podcasts – send your questions via Linkedin or fill the form here.

More about the Episode:

• Accept Reality
One of the biggest issues with tough times in sales is that we refuse to accept what’s going on and by doing so we only make ourselves unhappy. Let go of the fantasy and recognize that letting go doesn’t mean you’re giving up on that customer or that you don’t care. What it is, instead, is that you are accepting of the fact that there is only one thing you can control and it’s you.

• Empowering
You’re in control, aren’t you? So, it’s up to you to throw down the gauntlet. The going has gotten tough, so you can look for the lesson or, you can flip the script. Guess what? Your response to the circumstance will always be more powerful than the circumstance itself. Only a small slice of your sales career is decided by external or uncontrollable circumstances. The majority of your career in sales is determined by how you respond.

• Patience
You might be struggling in sales, but that doesn’t mean you will fail nor does it mean you can’t move forward. In fact, personal development and growth come when you power through obstacles and deal with challenging circumstances. It’s going to happen one day at a time and it can only be one step at a time. 

There’s more to patience than just waiting around. It’s more about remaining positive and working hard despite progress stalling. 

• Positive Ritual 
Even at the best of times, it’s easy to find yourself stuck in a rut. It’s even easier when you’re dealing with difficult customers. Your daily habits can make major changes. The problem is we seek instant gratification when we’re dealing with difficult times. All we want is for things to get better and we want that right this minute. That can trick you into biting off far more than you can chew. It’s always nice to remind yourself that you can’t eat an elephant in one sitting, your only option is to consistently take a bite at a time and rely on repeated, incremental effort to drive you home. 

A positive ritual is something you can do to create major change down the line, whether it’s talking to a colleague three times a week, journaling, making time for a daily walk in nature, or spending time writing positive affirmations. 

• Credit Where It’s Due
It might feel impossible to stay strong when you’re faced with difficulty. However, you are capable of weathering whatever storm sales job calls on your head. You’ve done it before and you can do it again. Difficulty teaches lessons, forces growth, and changes your perspective. When things get tough, keep going by reminding yourself just how strong you are. You’ve made it this far in sales, and you’re still going.

Let me know what you think and what will you change regarding sales persistence. Let me know your favorite strategy or revelation you’ve had about sales in general. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Ask Alen!

Send me your sales-related questions and I will answer them in the upcoming podcasts – send your questions via Linkedin or fill the form here.