CoorsKing
WR Officer
6
Retired King of the Coors Knights
Sometimes I take a step back and re-evaluate my process itself. Does what I am doing make sense for my current patch/pipeline? If yes - then I put all efforts into pipeline. May not save the current quarter, but can set me up for the rest of the year. After all, it is the annual attainment that carries the most weight!

I honestly had the worst quarter of my career last quarter, was unmotivated as well, but I did the above and have the potential to completely cover the gap and then some this quarter.ย 
primesales
Valued Contributor
0
Outbound Sales
Why do you believe you had a bad last quarter? How was it different from this quarter?
CoorsKing
WR Officer
1
Retired King of the Coors Knights
I actually was at >100%, our engineering team missed a huge deadline and a customer de-booked lol so not entirely my fault but it happens, and at the end of the day I am the one responsible for my number
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
๐ŸฆŠ
One of the many things we are responsible for. I like that you take ownership.
paddy
WR Officer
3
Director of Business Development
Find a mentor or champion within your organization that's willing to motivate/help you out. Asking for a favor every now and then can go a long way.
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Within org champions, works best.ย 
MrMotivation
Politicker
3
Sales
Treat every call as if you are already over quota. I know it is tough, but unless there is something drastic that is causing you to not hit quota, it is just a cyclical dip.

Oh, and my mantra... DON'T ATTACH YOUR SELF WORTH TO YOUR QUOTA
primesales
Valued Contributor
0
Outbound Sales
Ohh yes! Self worth is definitely taking a hit. Last Q did well, I am the best. This one isn't - I am suddenly so low in confidence.

How do you deal with this and avoid attaching quota to your self worth? Any suggestions there?
MrMotivation
Politicker
1
Sales
It is just a mindset. Not an easy button fix, unfortunatelyย 
Rocafella_1888
Good Citizen
0
Director
Take a step back and look at 'you' from two years ago - look at how much you have improved from then to now, maybe even write down a few key areas you feel you have improved most in. When things do not go as planned, imposter syndrome can creep in real fast and you start to second guess yourself.


The truth is, shit happens, understanding how you got here is 50% of the battle and the other is the process of getting the ball moving, start small, and be consistent, and before you know it the good days will be back again.ย 
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Motivational ๐Ÿ’ฏ
BossBitch
Politicker
3
Account Executive
I think it's important to go into sales knowing that it can happen because there is a lot that is out of our control and in my experience even an opportunity in final redlines can pull out last minute. It's always important to continue to build pipeline, evaluate processes, and lean into referrals and partners (if possible) to supplement.ย 


ย nd as others said, don't attach your self worth to your quota, or quota attainment. If you are working hard, listening to feedback, growing, learning, and implementing, this bad quarter will only be temporary. As Tupac would say "keep your head up"ย 
primesales
Valued Contributor
0
Outbound Sales
Love this.

Any suggestions from your end with regards to not equating quota with self worth?
BossBitch
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Yeah of course, it's all about how you truly show up each day and reflecting on the value you are adding to yourself, your team, and your company. I'd ask myself a few questions hereย 

1) am I giving it 100%? Or am I skating by with the bare minimumย 
2) is not hitting quota the norm, or is this something I don't see often?
3) do I believe in the product I'm selling?ย 
4) do I believe in my team/company?
5) have I evaluated my process and taken feedback constructively?

Whichever questions you answered "no" to, I would go deeper and ask why not.ย 

For #1, if you aren't giving it 100%, why not?ย 


For #2, it's easy to see one bad quarter and get down on ourself. If this is not the norm, think back to the times you did hit quota and use that as the baseline for your mindset, how you feel about your abilities, and the energy you want to be inย 

For #3 and #4, evaluate whether you are in the ย right place, might be time to move onย 


For #5, might be time to evaluate the ego and ask yourself why you so y rant criticism, and if you aren't applying it, why not? Are you OK with having another bad quarter? What can you do today to prevent that?ย 

Let me know if this helps!
JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
0
AM
This is awesome! Iโ€™ll admit that when Iโ€™ve been in roles where I donโ€™t believe in my product or team, it makes selling tough.ย 
SuicidalLizard
Opinionated
2
Enterprise Account Executive
drink
LordOfWar
Tycoon
1
Blow it up
To me, it all depends on the cause.

External/Market: Revisit market focus, targets, deal ratios, marketing *shudder*, buying trends, etc. - i.e. Find out why no one is buying and find where/what they ARE buying.

Internal/Rep-based: Figure out what is making you lose deals and fix it. Ask a team member to sit in on calls, record calls and listen to yourself, read sales books, shadow closers.ย 

The key is to not let the failure be felt by the prospect. Every prospect should think you're closing deals and your company is killing it, that they should get in now before prices go up or capacity is snapped up. Essentially fake it till you make it.

I've been where you are for YEARS. Keep your head down and keep faith in what you're selling and things will work out. That or find someplace where you do believe in the product/service.

As for no holidays or time off? Success doesn't warrant those either. You'll not want to give up anything and will probably work harder than you did in a slump as you've now got something tangible to lose.
Tres
Politicker
1
Account Executive
1. Having a bad quarter at work doesn't define your overall success. Maybe take an inventory of some of the things you're thankful for in life (I know it's extra hard with covid the last year).ย 

2. Depending on your relationship with your boss or a mentor at work, ask them to create a list of things you are doing well right now, even if the numbers don't reflect it.ย 
Kiona
Opinionated
1
Head of Business Development
I had my worst quarter when I thought I was going to have a monster quarter and I took my foot of the gas and coasted - which is what led to the WTF happened this quarter? Stay consistent and plan for the road ahead.ย 

You need to have restore days - statistics show you are best when you feel your best - everyone can feel your burnout.ย 

Make a strategy and stick to it - and the strategy shouldn't be - work all day every day.ย 
primesales
Valued Contributor
0
Outbound Sales
Love this.

This is exactly how this quarter was for me.ย 
swizard
Celebrated Contributor
1
Sales Evangelist
Looking at it in a bigger pic - quarter ain't the end of the world. The annual window is what works much better for most of the sales team setups.ย 
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Get up dust yourself off, and on to the next!ย 

TheSolicitorGeneral
Politicker
0
Small Market AE
Focus on winning one day at a time. Control what you can control, and ask your manager for support.ย 
primesales
Valued Contributor
0
Outbound Sales
What specifically would you ask your manager here? Any suggestions?ย 

34fifty
Valued Contributor
0
Team Lead
It is part of the game. You win some, you lose some. As a few of them said, don't let it hit your self esteem. Seek help from a friend/mentor. Won't be long before you're smashing the quota.
SoftwareSlanginSavage
Good Citizen
0
Senior Account Manager
Immediate 3 -4 day Vacation and a lot ofย  scotch and then right back to it .ย 
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Remember that sales has up and down months and that the best reps never get to high or low no matter how much they are or are not crushing it. You will bounce back and have a great month Primesales keep your head up!ย 
tmon
Catalyst
0
Sales Manager
Think about your process. If the process is proven (aka: good), then don't let a one-off bad result make you destroy what works.

That being said, if there's room to improve - there always is! - take the time to make INCREMENTAL adjustments so you can be better. Small improvements pay enormous dividends over time.

It's kind of like investing. Sometimes you put money in the market and it drops 5% same-day - many people will see this happen & never invest again. But if you keep consistently putting money in the market, over time it'll gain traction/momentum and you'll make more than you invested

Take stock of where you're at, focus on what you can control, make your improvements, and stick to proven processes!

And, like you did today, ASK FOR HELP when you need it - we're here for ya!
SDMHGWarrior
Tycoon
0
CEO
Reevaluate my plan and then step up my gaaaammme
Saasyaf
Fire Starter
0
Director of Sales
Sometimes, the ugly truth hurts. Don't make excuses- you handle the situation by making sure you don't have ANOTHER bad quarter. A positive mindset and ambition go a long way.ย 
SammySandbags
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I try to flatten it out as best I can with a hammer. Always tough when it can't fit in the washing machine.
ChiefGreef45
Catalyst
0
Account Executive
There are so many things that are out of your control, including your customer's buying process. Think back to a time where you did close a deal.ย  Once you get into that mindset, you'll see the momentum coming back.ย  It's always important to receive feedback from your manager and team. Let's them know your committed to coming back stronger than before.
TheRealTommyCallahan
Arsonist
0
President of Callahan Auto
Pray to the sales Gods I'm not going on plan ๐Ÿ™ย 
DadFather
Politicker
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Everyone has bad quarters. Keep your head down, keep grinding, working prospects, find new projects and business will come!!ย 

Ive looked at why: did a deal slip? Did projects pop up but they are all next quarter? Did you kill it the quarter before and leave yourself nothing? Personal life slump that affected your work life? All things contribute but keep looking ahead at building more pipeline for next Q to make up for it!ย 
breezyboiii
Politicker
0
Sales Boiii
i didn't know there were other options besides hookers and coke...
sketchysales
Politicker
0
Sales Manager
1. Emotionally detach yourself from your prospects
2. Dont sound desperate with them
3. Take a day off and spend it wisely.ย  Dont piss around on netflix or games.ย  Go out for a hike or something else which involves nature and just chill and take in freshness.ย  Pissing around at home will not help.
4.ย  Ask someone you trust in the business for help.ย  Everyone has a crap quarter, its nothing to be ashamed about if you can pick yourself up.ย  The way our company works is if I have a bad quarter Tim will help me out cos hes over quota, next month Tim might be having a bad one and it will be me helping him out.ย  Its competitive but we should look out for each other.


swizard
Celebrated Contributor
0
Sales Evangelist
With the good quarter (or another bad quarter :xd)ย 
Rigeyyy
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
Take a step back evaluate what went wrong, what went right, what you need to change, and then create that game plan and come back at the new month with a vengeance!
SheWOLF
Opinionated
0
TC Sales
Two things need to happen here one you need to take a step back and take some time away from the business to gather your thoughts and decompress. And to maybe get with your sales manager figure out what trends you had when you were having your absolute best month ever and try to re-create that. But nothing can happen without you having a mindset reset first. And next time you have your most kick ass month ever write a letter to yourself email it and save it for later so that when youโ€™re down on yourself in the futureHopefully that never happens but you can go back and look at how you were feeling and how you were doing and what you were able to accomplish on your bus months in the letter that you penned yourself. I hope it turns around for you!
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