The sales profession isn't easy. It isn't for everyone. Those who stick with it long term can become discouraged, and lose their mojo.
The endless stream of "no"s... the rejections...the deflating disappointments... the competition, even amongst peers... the ceaseless emphasis on goal attainment... All this and more adds up to feeling discouraged and disillusioned at times.
That's why we could all use a little encouragement. And I do mean all of us, regardless of position or current rate of success. After all, do you know anyone who has been thanked too often or recognized too much?
To encourage means to "pour courage into." When we are encouraged, we feel stronger. We are more courageous about taking risks and boldly working on our goals.
Being discouraged has the opposite effect. Our courage has been depleted. We feel weak and vulnerable. Our confidence is shaky.
Within the sales profession, many are competitive. Being competitive causes us to miss opportunities to encourage one another. In fact, at times, high achieving sales professionals attempt to discourage one another in a sad attempt to gain a pseudo-advantage.
By encouraging others we can effect change, expand capacity, build connections, and sustain relationships with colleagues and competitors alike.
The opportunities to encourage others are boundless. Try noticing when someone has worked hard, exceeded a goal, made an effort to move the needle, made a difference, put building blocks in place, or taken a risk to try something new.
Encouragement is not something meant to go in only one direction. Encouraging your peers, people in your professional network, your direct reports, your managers, your customers and everyone else you encounter is smart business.
When you encourage others, you will be encouraged, too. Since we can all use a little encouragement, why not be the one who gets it started?
