Oh, sales…
It’s the S word that all entrepreneurs either love or hate.
For the past 15 years, I have sold to so many. From education services, to investments, to consumer goods; and now online training.
I have enjoyed great success throughout this journey, but I have never been without my pitfalls; stress, burnouts, and occasionally feeling very overwhelmed.
But my experience has taught me a few valuable lessons. I would like to share some of those lessons with you today. Here are the 6 practices I swear by to ensure I reach my sales goals and most importantly – with more calm.
Life is too short to be bogged down by stress all the time. If you are going to do something, make sure you are doing it with joy!
If you ever feel overwhelmed being an entrepreneur, I hope these 6 principals help you…
Practice #1: Keep Your Sales Strategy Simple and Consistent
There are many things I would love to do for my business and for my family. Creative and innovative ideas would often pop into my mind, make me want to leap out of bed and start making them a reality.
But after almost 20 years in sales, I have found there is one golden rule: keep your sales strategy simple and consistent.
Since I don’t have a lot of time, I need to be very careful when it comes to selecting the strategies I decide to implement. When faced with a potential sales strategy, I ask myself:
“With the time I have, can I implement this idea consistently for the next 6 months?”
If I do not feel confident I can do this, I will keep the idea in my notebook and revisit it again in 3 months.
3 months later, if I still feel enthusiastic about it and am confident I can do it consistently, I will implement the strategy.
Practice #2: Break Down Your Sales Strategy
When it comes to big tasks, there is a quote I always keep close:
“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.” -Henry Ford
Whatever your ultimate goals are, break them down to actionable steps.
Once you can break down your goals into smaller actions, you will avoid feeling overwhelmed and be able to maintain the confidence you need to achieve them.
Practice #3: Zero Distractions
I sell for 2 businesses and I am also the mother of 2 rowdy boys. Time is precious.
So whatever I am doing, I must stay 100% focused. 8 years ago when I had my first boy, I thought I could work on my business while I cared for him at the same time. However, soon I noticed that I was lacking and could not be effective at either role. I was making mistakes in communications with my clients and my baby was crying for my attention.
I became distracted and stressed.
Although it was difficult, I learned to focus solely on one thing at a time instead of trying to be 2 people at once. I was able to be more attentive to my son and complete my work tasks faster with far less stress!
Practice #4: Be Kind to Yourself
Over the past 15 years, I have said many stupid things and made many stupid mistakes. I used to replay those mistakes over and over again in my mind along with a chorus of: “Oh Mel! That was so stupid!”
It took me a while, but I realized that mistakes are never as bad as they seem in your mind. Most of the time you are the only one who will remember them, care about them, or even notice them.
There is no actual point or benefit when it comes to thinking about those mistakes. If it made enough of an impact that you are ruminating on it, you will likely never make that same mistake again. So let it go.
Be kind to yourself through your entrepreneurial journey.
Practice #5: Be Kind to Your Ideal Clients
Do you get upset when a potential client schedules a meeting but never shows up?
Do you follow up with someone only to find this person never replies to your messages?
It is completely normal to get upset with potential clients. After all, you give them your time and your effort. You put your heart and soul into writing the perfect messages to them but routinely end up getting zero response.
In the end, you must be kind of your potential clients.
Just like anyone, they have to deal with many challenges in life and at work. They are also busy with countless thoughts and tasks. Being kind to your potential clients will actually result in less stress for you.
You never know when one of your potential clients might decide to work with you in the near future.
Practice #6: Be Grateful and Celebrate the Small Successes
I know your ultimate goal for success is to have many clients. You will get there eventually.
But before you get there, why not enjoy the journey? When you create your sales plan be sure to include smaller goals.
Every time you achieve one of these smaller goals, celebrate it.
Have some chocolate.
Pour yourself a glass of wine.
Laugh out loud.
You are moving forward and that is all that matters. Be grateful for your small successes and celebrate them.
I hope you found some joy today from this blog.
Want more resources to help you sell with joy? Check out my free resources page for more tools and hacks.
To joyful selling,
-Melinda
Recent Comments