Amateur vs. Professional

If we go by the Merriam Webster definitions:

Amateur is – one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession.

• and a pastime is “something that amuses and serves to make time pass agreeably: DIVERSION”

While the second definition of a Professional is –

1. participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs
2. having a particular profession as a permanent career
3. engaged in by persons receiving financial return

Today, I’d like to ask you a question:

Do you see the sales profession as your permanent career?

Don’t get me wrong, I understand most people (including me) didn’t grow up wanting a sales job. Many people (including me) said no a few times before accepting a sales role.

Now that you’re in it, you need to decide if sales is where you want to be!Success in sales takes drive, perseverance, integrity, curiosity – combined with a willingness to learn and grow, communication skills, along with persuasion.

When you’re thinking of sales as a career, being a professional means:

• Committing to be the BEST you can be.
• Actively working at being great at what you do – every day you’re working.
• Being valuable enough to others that they pay you (by ordering your products/services).

If sales IS your permanent career:

1. Look at what has made you a success so far.
2. Decide what you want to be better at.
3. Pay attention to what makes you valuable.

If you’re in sales for the moment, but not the long haul:

1. Look at the career you want in order to figure out which sales success factors match up.
2. Be willing to work on being great at those things every day.
3. Master them before you move on.

If you don’t know:

1. Write down everything you love about being in sales.
2. Write down what you don’t like.
3. Determine if there is another career with better balance.

No matter what your answer to my question, you can still do your best every day to provide value to prospects, customers, and the company you work for.

Professionally yours,
Lynn

ps. Still not sure sales is your profession? Need help figuring out what your best looks like? I’m always here for a consultation conversation – click reply and we’ll schedule it!