Is it ever okay to stop selling? Is there some point at which you can just say “Enough!” and find a way to make a living that doesn’t involve selling—and do so with honor? Yes!
THE “STOP” POINT
I have coached a few people to this point, and they are still writing me thank you letters. They struggled with selling for years and had a terrible time. They never felt like it was a good fit for them, and experienced far more anxiety and pain than they did rewards or growth—no matter how hard they tried.
Still, they didn’t want to “back away from a challenge.” Here’s what I say:
Selling is a challenge, but so is rodeo bull-riding. Not every challenge is for every person, at every stage of life. If you really don’t want to sell, and if the costs keep outweighing the rewards, give yourself permission to stop. You can’t really choose selling unless you have permission not to do it.
WINNING AT THE “STOP” POINT
My clients’ triumph was that they told the truth about where they thought and felt. They freed themselves to go on to something that did ignite their passion and that allowed them to succeed. Today these people are happy, successful, and being their best selves in the world.
CHALLENGE TO OVERCOME, OR TIME TO STOP?
How can you tell if you’re simply facing a selling challenge that will catapult you to the next level, or if it’s time to stop selling? Here are three things to consider:
- Why am I selling? Is that goal so essential to my life’s purpose that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to succeed at selling? Is there another way to accomplish that goal?
- Do I embrace the kinds of challenges and obstacles that selling presents, and use them to grow—or am I happier and more productive in another arena?
- Overall, do I find selling more exciting, or more dispiriting?
PERMISSION TO STOP
If selling is more trouble than it’s worth, don’t keep doing it just because you “should.” Give yourself permission to do something else. Find your passion and expression in life, and do what makes you happy.
