Last week, we touched on the one thing all successful salespeople hate but still do—prospecting. This week, we’re diving into another challenge that’s just as crucial to your success:
Daily Repetitive Tasks
In my work with inside sales teams and individual coaching, I’ve noticed a pattern: most salespeople can’t stand the Daily Repetitive Tasks that require detail and mental focus.
They’re not mindless—far from it. They involve documenting critical details, the kind that can make or break your sales process. Yet, these tasks often get labeled as annoying, tedious, or just plain “hard.”
But here’s the deal: just like a jigsaw puzzle, these tasks may seem daunting at first, but they’re essential pieces of your sales success. Two of the most important pieces? Data entry and documentation.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Data entry? Documentation? Ugh. But before you roll your eyes, hear me out. These aren’t complicated tasks, but they do require consistent effort and accuracy. And let’s be honest—without a solid system, they can quickly spiral into chaos, making them truly worth hating.
That’s why having a reliable system is key. Whether it’s Salesforce, a homegrown CRM, or even a simple spreadsheet, what matters is that you’re entering contacts, taking good notes, tracking your conversations, and documenting everything in a way that’s easily accessible later on.
I’ve been there—I’ve told myself I’ll remember every detail of a conversation, only to find that two hours, two weeks, or two months later, the details are fuzzy at best. Sound familiar?
Here’s something to think about: when you document these details, you’re not just helping yourself stay organized. You’re building trust and credibility with your prospects. The attention to detail you show in the early days of courting a prospect can be a game-changer.
It’s often the little things that turn out to be the big things in the long run.
Now, let’s revisit that question I asked last week: “What are the things you do because they help you succeed, even if you’d rather not do them?” And here’s the follow-up: “What are the successful salespeople doing that the unsuccessful ones aren’t?”
That’s the elephant in the room—success versus failure. And yes, it really does come down to whether or not you’re completing those Daily Repetitive Tasks.
Let me share a story. One salesperson told me she has 74 tasks that must be done every day, no matter what. These tasks take her 2.5 hours each morning, and guess what? They yield massive results.
Sounds exhausting, right? But imagine the difference it would make if she skipped just one day, or did only 64, or 54, or 14 tasks instead of all 74. The results would suffer, no doubt about it.
Here’s the truth: the only person making sure you’re successful is you. No one else is going to make you spend 2.5 hours on 74 tasks every day. But if those tasks bring you massive results, isn’t it worth it?
No one ever said or promised sales would be easy. That’s what makes it special. And that’s what makes it meaningful.
What are the Daily Repetitive Tasks you need to do for YOU? I’m not saying you’ll suddenly love them, but I do believe you can come to appreciate them—especially when you see how they can transform your results.
All my best,
Lynn
P.S. Be honest with yourself—what three tasks, if you did them every day, would change your results? I’d love to hear what you think. Drop me a reply.