While preparing for a large presentation, I found something that had seemed lost, elusive, and out of reach.
Passion.
Passion is the thing that wakes you up in the morning. Its the straw that stirs your coffee...and it is the thing that sells your product/service. How do you lose that passion, and more importantly, how do you retrieve it.
- Take this job and shove it!: Sometimes, it is just a matter of finding a new job. While new jobs aren't always so easy to get immediately, this could be the hardest. Websites like www.linkedin.com are good for this. A good strategy is to write a short note and send it to 20-40 of your contacts in a private message. Explain that you are thinking of leaving your current company, and if this person knows of a position that would fit your skillset, you would appreciate it. This works very well, as your contacts generally want you to succeed.
- Find Meaning: Wake up, Shower, eat Breakfast, drive to work, work, go home, wash, rinse, repeat... Sometimes it feels like you are doing the same thing over and over again...If your sales job has little meaning, you shouldn't have to look far. My best advice is to take out one of your clients to lunch. Chose one who gets value from your company. Ask them to explain what your product does for them. In many cases, their company couldn't do as well if not for you. Take that information, and put it in your pocket. Soon enough, your job has meaning. You help people in ways that others cannot. If you can't find someone who needs your service, maybe go back to #1
- Be a mentor: If you find that you just don't enjoy your day to day, maybe you should mentor someone. I find that when I am helping a junior rep in my organization, and we find success, I get invigorated. First, It makes me feel valued within my organization...and who doesn't want to feel valued, right? Second, when I do this, I feel empowered by the fact that someone is looking up to me. This stokes my ego...and what salesman doesn't have an ego?
- Volunteer: There are two ways to volunteer. First, volunteering to senior management to take on a new task can help move the company forward. After successfully working on a new company initiative, you may find a sense of ownership. You can also volunteer outside of the organization. Organizing a coat drive in the winter, or organizing a volunteer day on MLK Day can help your quality of life at the office, thus giving you a better attitude.
- Work from other locations: Since you are in sales, you don't have to be chained to the desk. I find that when I want to get work done, I go to the neighborhood Starbucks. You can likely work anywhere...so change it up a little. If you are a salesperson who works from home, see if your company can get you a WeWork WeMembership. They start at $45 per month, and these places are pretty cool.
Ultimately, passion is everything. In sales, you can't be completely effective if you aren't passionate for what you do. This week, I got my passion back. Did you?
Mike