Successful Sales "Mindset"

Re-read the line above again. If you have spent any time in sales and been through rejection and loss of a sale, missed quota, missed commission, missed bonus, lost customer etc... you know what I mean!

When I started in professional sales, my Sales Manager sponsored my first "Personal Development Seminar", which was a Tom Hopkins live seminar. I took everything that Tom had to say to heart and adapted a lot of his suggestions into my life. Since that time, I have listened to countless tapes, read hundreds of books and watched a lot of DVD's and Videos of sales training, sales management and personal development.

I am fortunate to have had someone early in my career suggest something as powerful as a regular routine towards personal development. My opinion is that a lot of salespeople fail because they don't approach the job like a career or profession and they fail to educate and train themselves. You have to be prepared for the profession of sales, which can be harsh at times.

If you were a professional athlete, would you work out and train for an upcoming season, or would you lay around, play video games and then show up to the first game, ready to show off your pro bowl caliber condition?

Imagine that you are on a hospital bed being prepared for life threatening surgery. Choose one of the following doctors that you would want to head the surgery;

a. 45 year old doctor that graduated from college 20 years ago (looks like he's 80 and hates his job) and has worked in a small town market as a "general doctor". He treats all the common ailments; colds, cuts, bumps, fevers, etc., and he carries the same bag he always carried that contains; aspirin, bandaids, gauze, throat sticks, and mechurachrome, but If his patients get anything worse, he sends them to a specialist.

b. 45 year old doctor that graduated from college 20 years ago (looks like he's 34 because he works out 4 times a week). He has traveled and studied all over the world and has worked side by side next to the most respected surgeons in the world in his field. He is a well renowned author, published in all of the major industry journals, and subject matter expert that is called on regularly by the medical profession.

My point here is that you need to work at your profession to be considered in the top echelon of Sales Professionals. My advice is to branch out and be a respected authority in your industry. Develop your Skills and practice the right mindset in this game and you too can win!

On my blog, http://salesmindset.saleshangout.com you will find reviews and references to several world renowned sales motivational authors that have made a major impact on my life and my career.

Some of my favorite old timers; Zig Ziglar, Tom Hopkins and Brian Tracy and Jeffrey Gitomer have timeless messages that you could take something from and use in today's world. Common sense, good attitude, positive view of the world and positive thinking are their core elements.

Everyone has a different opinion about books they have read, or CD's they have listened to, which is great. That means people took the time to read or listen or watch something that just might teach them something new that will help them make more sales!

Regardless of your preference, there are a lot of choices for personal development, inspiration and motivation available to sales people. Browse around this site, do your research, try out some of the books and DVD's suggested here and have an open mind to learn new ideas.

Whether you are just beginning your sales career, or you are a veteran, every sales professional should invest in their personal development.

Sometimes our biggest competitor is ourselves!

Make sure you are helping yourself and not competing against yourself!