Sales is a serious business: there are numbers to hit this month, this quarter, and this year. Before the calendar page is even turned, last month, last quarter, and last year are merely a blur, and it’s time to do it all over again, this time with an increased sales budget to hit. Pressure is baked into the position.
Being a successful sales rep can reap fabulous benefits: often there is more freedom; respect and high-five’s from the top when you are on a roll; and always more income. Yet, Sales is not for the faint of heart. The financial success of the organization relies on the sales team’s success, and everyone in the organization knows it. Salespeople know they may be seen as heroes when they close a deal and zeros when they don’t. At the same time, fellow employees may think salespeople have it oh-so-easy.
What I privately hear and see when coaching is great salespeople feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. They fear they will screw up the deal and let everyone down. They know an off month will impact their income, several might put their job in jeopardy and substantially increase the external pressure to produce.
All of this pressure is actually a part of what salespeople sign up for. Results matter. Results are how you win, and you have to have your attitude on “win” or you will “lose.”
But what if your results could be grander, loftier, and easier if you inserted more Joy, Fun and Playfulness into the game? I believe sales would increase significantly because positive energy is attractive to prospects while a playful, fun attitude is visionary. Creativity sees a world full of sales opportunities.
So, play to win. Take on an attitude of playfulness. Enjoy selling. Reward yourself when you’ve achieved something amazing. Sales doesn’t need to be daunting, it needs to be a blast. I dare you to give it a try!
(And if you’re not sure what playfulness even looks like and you know your Enneagram type, this might be a good chance to do a little studying – let the Enneagram help you identify what might be fun for you so you can reward yourself for your successes!)
