Something To Be Thankful For

Would you agree, some of the most challenging things in life teach the greatest life lessons?

It certainly has been true in my experience.

One of the greatest life lessons came a result of learning one of the core principles of selling. This lesson certainly isn’t the fun part of sales and often times it’s one of the most frustrating parts of being a sales professional.

The lesson being, it doesn’t matter how much success you’ve had in the past, it’s about what you’re doing right now.

In sales, no matter how great you did last month, your boss is only interested in what you’re going to sell this month. It’s common to hear, “What have you done for me lately?” as a running joke on a sales team.

I remember the first time I closed over 2 million in sales in one month. To celebrate, I bought myself some gorgeous diamond earrings. I was so proud. The next day was the start of a new month and when I opened the sales report, I was listed at the bottom of the sales team. That day I hadn’t sold anything. Talk about humbling. One day, I’m on the top, the very next day, I’m at the bottom.

Life certainly has a way of demonstrating this same concept over and over again. Whether you find yourself at the top, things change.  And when you find yourself at the bottom, remember, things change!

By the time I reached the goal of selling over 3 million in one month, I didn’t even bat an eye. On the last day of the month, I was already thinking about my plan for next month. I was pretty sure I’d maxed out my existing customer base with product and wondering where the next big opportunity was going to come from.

The concept of not focusing on what’s in the past, spending time and energy on the right now to ensure success has been a founding principle as I’m building my own business.

This same principle applies when things aren’t going well.  Once that month is over, I put it behind me and focus on the current month.

Even though I no longer have a boss to report too, I do ask myself at the end of the day, “What did you accomplish today, how is this going to help you tomorrow, and what’s next?”

Someone told me once they saw a sign that said, “Pray and move your feet.”

My version of this has always been, “Dream big and keep moving.”

 Some days are more of a struggle then others. The one thing I can always count on: Things Change.

As we celebrate the holiday season and reflect on what we’re most thankful for, the ability to focus on the right now and leave the past in the past when it comes to my successes and failures is a life lesson I’m truly grateful for.

How about you?  What life lessons have you learned through your profession that continue to serve you today?

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