How I Survived My First Sales Job

by Ben Lai | Jul 26, 2016

If you’re new to selling, you’ll probably be able to relate to how I felt at my first job in sales. I had no prior experience, but I knew that becoming proficient in persuasion would be paramount to starting my own business. When I picked up the phone to call existing customers, I was so terrified that my hands trembled, my heart palpitated, and my throat dried up. In spite of my difficulties, I earned two internal promotions which eventually led to millions of dollars of sales. Today I want to share with you just three actions that I took to become successful, which I trust will help you on your sales journey.

First Sales Job Survival Tip #1: Set a Definite Goal

Before I even started, I made a firm decision that I would never quit, and that I would be successful. Giving up would have meant giving up my life dream of becoming a professional public speaker, and so weaselling out was simply not an option. This attitude carried me through all of the hardships of rejection, failures (i.e. setbacks), and emotional fatigue. It was the cornerstone of everything I achieved.

Not many people become good at selling for its own sake. If you have a big goal in mind, be it financial freedom, a trip around the world, or a successful career, let this motivate you to do everything in your power to become effective in selling.

First Sales Job Survival Tip #2: Read the Books

Being humble is the beginning of all learning. Being aware of my ignorance in selling, I studied stacks of books. Consequently, I constantly listened to audio programs. In addition, I attended training seminars. Piece by piece, I lifted my game through constant improvement. Each week I learned and applied something new, never being afraid to ask for help from the top salespeople.

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming that you are also humble enough to know that you can never stop improving. It is unfortunate that a huge portion of the population will never pick up a book on self-improvement. Ultimately this will deprive them from achieving their potential. Thankfully, you are reading this, and so I’d like to encourage you to keep up the great work!

First Sales Job Survival Tip #3: I Persevered

I didn’t always meet my sales targets. I didn’t always feel good going to work. Sometimes, I wondered whether I had made a colossal mistake giving up my previous secure career in nursing. In spite of all the negative emotions I felt (including the terror of selling over the phone!), I pushed and forced myself to do what was necessary. I chose this rather than what was comfortable. Without persevering, I would have never reached where I am today.

Every day you too will need to make a choice between what is necessary and what is comfortable. The reality is that “We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret” – Jim Rohn. I trust that at each crossroad, you will choose the former!

Conclusion

Sales success requires many traits, but I consider these three at the top: having a definite purpose, a humble and learning attitude, and discipline as tough as nails. I trust that during your hard times selling, that you will take hope knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles.

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