I Don’t Want to Sell Today!

Credit: Tiffany Fox

I wasn’t in the mood to write today. The truth is, I didn’t want to do it. I’ve had work going on at the house. I’m exhausted and exasperated. The place is a mess, it’s loud, and I have nonstop company.

I should be motivated. Anytime I hire someone I encounter sales and business object lessons. If you buy stuff you can’t do yourself you encounter all sorts of sales finesse (expectation management) opportunities that are being missed.

There are shortcuts too. I hear myself say, often, “my check won’t cash for 80% of the written value. I don’t expect the work I’m buying to be 80% either.” The fact is, I expect what I bought. It should be automatic but it isn’t.

Anyway, I’m not in the mood to write.

Does that happen to us in sales? It did to me. I had lots of days that I would have rather taken a beating than dial the phone. It was especially so when I was tired or dodging production problems.

Let’s face it, selling is hard. It’s like asking for dates for a living. It’s full of rejection and rejection hurts. You can hear, “don’t take it personally” until you’re blue in the face, but it’s still rejection.

If you’re not in the mood to sell today … don’t. Dig into your files. Look at your prospects, warm leads, hope to get to it one day names and folks you’re on the bubble with.

Spend the day getting your head wrapped around each one. Where are you? What’s a logical next step. Without the pressure of making a call think about what you might say if they were sitting in your office.

Even Stephen Covey (author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People") spoke to the value of “sharpening the saw.” You’re the saw. Invest the day in you, strategy, brainstorming and reloading.

If my experience tells me anything it will be a day well spent. You’ll enjoy some “social rest.” You’ll start tomorrow in a better place. You’ll be better equipped to sell and more prepared.

I hate wasting time. An hour gone is gone forever. Time is the one thing you can’t save for later. Time can only be enjoyed, invested, or wasted. You can’t make more. Know the difference and choose wisely.

But, investing in you pays huge dividends. Your customers will notice. You’ll sell more stuff, waste fewer names, and have more fun.

Gotta go. The dog has figured out I’m … available. The ball isn’t going to throw itself. I need the exercise anyway.

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