Insights from Dana
Will My Sales Addiction Ever Truly Go Away?

A few months ago, I wrote about my addiction to sales and struggling to untangle the figures from my self-worth.

I have been focusing on this, but the sweet taste of sales still draws me in sometimes.

And, as you would expect, the high is just enough to set up a big crash.

Sometimes I’ve been really pressed to remember the long term view instead of getting hung up on the short term.

Usually, these bouts are prompted by a change in my clients.

My coaching business is really fluid because, while people sign up for a year at a time, they don’t have to sign up at a particular time of year.

So every month or two I have people who are finished with their contract.

A good portion of people sign up for another year, but not everyone.

I feel like I’m always faced with finding people to fill the spots.

There is a constant need to meet more people, make more connections, and create a list of possible clients.

To add to the complication, my ideal client is a really specific kind of business owner.

And, to be honest, I don’t meet a ton of them.

When I start focusing on these challenges is when the panic sets in.

In general, I can mentally prepare for client turnover.

Since everyone is on a one-year contract, I can look to fill gaps before the income stream is gone.

Of course, things don’t always work exactly as we plan for.

Over the years, I’ve had a couple occasions where people needed to end their contract early.

I really hate when this happens because it creates an anxiety that permeates throughout my entire life.

But, I refuse to coach anyone who doesn’t want to be coached. (It doesn’t work well for anyone.)

And, I am not in the business of chasing people for money.

I don’t consider it to be good karma.

I know I work with good people who have great intentions – and they wouldn’t ask to get out of a contract if they didn’t absolutely need it.

However, the couple of times this has come up, my heart sinks.

I can’t fall asleep that night – overcome with thoughts of, “Oh shit, what am I going to do now?”

When I am filled with this wonky energy nothing seems to flow right.

It creates stress and extra anxiety around my whole life and business.

Last time this happened, I actually had potential client calls set up the next day.

It should have been great timing, but I could tell I was off during the calls.

I wasn’t myself and was sure I totally bombed any chance of gaining those clients.

Then my husband and I almost missed a flight because we left his wallet at home.

It seemed like nothing could go right…

Deep down, even in these rough times, I know if I allow myself to breathe and relax things will always work out. I know it, but in the heat of the moment it can be hard to really believe it.

In the past, I have let that bad energy consume me until I got my fix from making another sale, but that isn’t the way to solve this problem.

Yes, it helps the panic disappear in the moment, but it isn’t gone forever.

If I want to win the war with my sales addiction, I need to remain calm even when I am caught off guard by change.

Trusting in myself, and the universe, is the key to my sanity (and overcoming my addiction).

Towards this end, I have implemented a new daily practice.

Meditation, gratitude, smudging (yes, SO woo!) and remembering to take 3 deep breaths whenever I feel that drop in the pit of my stomach.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Until then…stay passionate!

 

 

 

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