Read the full article at bizjournals.com
As 2020 comes to a close, we should remember to be thankful for all the good things in our lives, for our friends and family, and for all the experiences we get to share. However, gratitude isn’t something we should do once a year. I find that practicing an attitude of gratitude all year can not only help with improving sales, but it can also boost your overall success in life.
Some of the most successful people in the world practice gratitude daily. Considering how much gratitude can impact our lives and the lives of people around us, most people don’t show as much gratitude as they probably should. Gratitude rarely comes naturally for most people — it is something that we must choose to practice. But when you do make that effort, you’ll realize that there are ways to make the best of any difficult situation. Here are a few reasons why gratitude can improve sales results:
It can help you build relationships.
Keep in mind that sales is all about people and the relationships you build. Try to think of yourself not just as someone who is making a sales call, but as someone who is making a difference in the world. Relationships are important, so focus on cultivating a relationship with gratitude. Take time to realize how they are making time for you, how grateful you are for the opportunity and how you are positively impacting their work and their life. If you put the human element back into the sales process, you’ll be thankful you did.
You’ll be naturally optimistic. During the most challenging times, it’s difficult for anyone to remain optimistic. Optimism comes from having gratitude — they go hand in hand. Remind yourself of the great customers and people you get to work with, and remind yourself what you like about your job, even on the bad days. Think about the reasons why you enjoy this line of work and the environment that you’re in — there are jobs out there that wouldn’t offer the same satisfaction.
When things fail to materialize, maintain the spirit of optimism and gratitude because it will help you remain calm and positive. Remember that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but at least you still have a winning attitude.
You’ll have more drive for success. Being a successful salesperson requires patience, stamina and flexibility — and most of all, it requires you to practice gratitude. Selling isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, but it’s up to you to be in control of your outlook and attitude. You should not only be grateful for the things you have, but also for the things you want in life. Practicing gratitude to help you achieve the success you seek (and believing you already achieved it) allows you to focus on a vision for where you want to be in the future. This simple practice can help you stay aligned, focused and positive, even on the worst days. Gratitude can reframe your thoughts and find good in any situation because it helps you focus on the larger picture and your end goals.
Gratitude gives you focus, power, stamina and patience. Practicing gratitude in a morning or evening routine starts your day on a positive note, and you’ll soon begin to enjoy the entire sales process (even if the deal takes two years to close). It’s important to remind yourself that you should take time to celebrate all the wins, even the small ones. Remember that you’re changing someone’s life for the better, building long-lasting relationships, learning every day to craft your skill, and reaping all these great rewards. All of these are legitimate reasons to be grateful.
Author: Nick Stanitz-Harper