Sales Skills: Starting Your Day Like a Top-Performer

We all experience “off” sales days. You know the type of day I’m talking about. It’s the day where no matter what techniques you attempt, they all seem to fall flat. As the day progresses, it just seems to get worse.

There are many potential root causes for “off” days. Perhaps you woke up on the wrong side of the bed or argued with your spouse. Maybe your sales manager told you to get three sales this week or month or else.

Whatever the reason, here are five sales skills every sales pro should start their day with for maximum impact…

Practice Intentional Gratitude

If you are in sales, you are in the best profession in the world. Seriously. Where else can you enjoy new experiences every day, meet tons of new people, help change lives, and basically write your own check in the process?

Let’s be grateful for the opportunity we have a hold of. Selling is a noble profession and you are fortunate to hold your position.

In addition to being thankful for being in sales, a great way to start the day is to think of 5-10 things you are grateful for in your life. Write them down in your 365 Days of Victory Journal or daily planner. This is especially important to do when you wake up in a bad mood.

Future Pace Your Day

As humans, we have the unique ability to project ourselves into the future and in the process, change our current physical state. By visualizing the goals you want to achieve, you will actually change your current mood and feel more engaged in your own success.

Practice seeing yourself making sales and you are more likely to do just that.

Eliminate Distractions

Nothing can prolong an off day more than distractions. Smartphones are great tools but they tend to be the number one distraction for us. Turn off your notifications and change to “focus” mode if your device has the option. Close the browser tabs with your email and social media sites open, stop chatting with other salespeople and you will open yourself up to do step four.

Prioritize Your IGAs

IGAs are Income Generating Activities. Start your day by doing the tasks that make sales. Follow-up calls, asking for referrals, cold calling, etc. Schedule this time on your calendar. I recommend making these activities the very first thing you do in the morning.

You know what to do and once you have gotten your head on straight and eliminated distractions, you will be far more productive and far more profitable.

Develop a Pre-Shot Routine

Many professional golfers have a pre-shot routine. Before taking their shot, they will go through the motions of the shot and see it happening. Although similar to the future pace concept above, the pre-shot routine is something you execute before each individual sales call.

Just because you start your day right doesn’t always mean there won’t be bumps in the road. The pre-shot routine helps you to get refocused throughout the day.

If you have ever watched the movie American Beauty with Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening, there is a scene where Annette Bening’s character is getting ready to show a home as a realtor. Her pre-shot routine is to tell herself over and over that she will “sell this house today.”

Develop a pre-shot routine that gets you back on track and making sales.

Implementing these five sales skills will ensure that YOU are not the reason someone doesn’t purchase your product or service. And it’s when you give yourself the best shot to change someone’s world.


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About the Author: Ryan Taft

As the former National Sales Training Manager for a Top 5 homebuilder and a licensed Realtor® in Arizona, Ryan Taft is consumed with a passion for helping others achieve breakthrough results in sales, business and life.