Do I Really Want to Be a Sales Professional?
This is the most important tip I can give to anyone who is in Sales. The reason is that there are far too many people who call themselves Sales Professionals but who are not a good fit for the profession. The worst part about this is that deep down inside, they know it. I often hear them saying, “Is this where it all ends for me? Is there anything more?” The root of this problem can be traced back to when they first started working in Sales. In some cases these people took a sales position out of college as their backup plan, not as their career choice. Time has passed, and they just can’t see where Sales is going to take them.
Why this is a Problem
If someone is working in any position, much less Sales, only until they find a “real job” or the job of their dreams, they are not performing at the highest level they could be. This is a problem. Some motivating factors for people to try Sales are the ability to earn a lot of money, the perceived freedom a Sales Professional has, or, in the worst case, just to collect a paycheck.
The Decision
So, what I challenge these Sales Professionals with is to make the decision to stay or go, instead of just letting the inertia of their career dictate their future. It should be a conscious choice, not one of default. Many times they will decide to stick it out and see where this career path can take them.
Elevate
Once a person makes the decision to be a Sales Professional, the status quo can’t cut it any longer. I challenge every Sales Professional I work with to Elevate. In other words, do your job as well as you possibly can! Why? Because there is tremendous opportunity for those who embrace this opportunity. If you look at some of the larger companies, most of their CEO’s have come out of the sales ranks. There is a great career path for a Sales Professional if you decide to elevate and be a pro at it.
Outcome
So what will the outcome be? If you decide to be a Sales Pro, you will end up excelling at your position, and the company will benefit from your growth as a professional. Also, you are going to be happier in general, both professionally and personally, because you are doing what you want to do and have made a conscious decision to embrace your opportunity. So if you’re going to do it, Elevate and be a Pro. Then watch your life and your career elevate.
