Motivation - Why aren't we talking about it more?

I've realized through time that Sales can be extremely difficult. It's a complicated combination of relationship building, product understanding, problem-solving, customer service, and negotiation; a process being often enforced to make it more manageable for the leadership team.


The reality is that you can throw the fanciest tools, the best coaches, and the tightest processes at people, things most often won't change much. 


I feel like MOTIVATION is the biggest driver of performance. The motivation to: learn, improve, go the extra mile, care for your prospects, be coachable, ensure your work is of high quality, collaborate & help colleagues, etc. It's been a huge issue for me, especially now that I'm working from home


It can make a world of difference and I'm not sure sales leaders are addressing it directly.


How do you stay motivated? How can I be a better colleague & future sales leader?


Hoping this post will help to talk about it and do something about it!

🙏 Mental Wellness
💆‍♂ Mindset
💪 Motivation
17
CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
🦊
Emotion is a tricky bitch. Some days you're up, some days you're down, other days you don't know which way you are. Accept it. Know we all feel it. Be kind to yourself. You may be putting extra stress on yourself that makes you freeze. Know what I'm sayin? 
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
4
SaaS Eater
Motivation is great but have you ever sold a product that has actual product market fit? That's when the real shit happens. 

I can be motivated as hell, great with feedback, have all the best tools but if the product i'm selling doesn't actually solve a problem I can only go so far. 
IndianaShep
Politicker
1
Director of Sales and Marketing
Omg. Sliding in that space is like peanut butter and jelly man.
FattySnacks
Politicker
3
Senior Account Executive
Motivation is a fleeting emotion. If your end goal is important enough you’ll put in the work, if it’s not you won’t. Simple as that in my opinion.
GreenSide
Politicker
3
Sales manager
I tend to value discipline over motivation. Motivation is innately a driver that can come and go. It’s likelier to have obstacles that people really need to dig deep for. Discipline on the other hand is something that people stick to despite obstacles. This is a little theoretical but just my gut reaction.
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
2
Professional Day Ruiner
for me, the motivation is always money. It's why I'm in sales. 

Recently, it was engagement ring money. 
Now its wedding and down payment on a house money. 
Then its kids money
Then its college fund money
Vacation money, hobby money, fuck you money

Have a clear, concise goal that makes you want to put in the work every single day. But don't forget to take time for yourself and your mental health too. Makes it easier to not lose that drive. 
NoGoodAtThis
Politicker
1
Sales rep
Exactly how I feel, there's always the next step in life that requires more money. Have to get out there and get it.
techsales
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Action precedes motivation. There's a lot written about how if you simply start DOING something, motivation follows, not the other way around.

That said, certain personal goals can incite action which then results in that motivation. The best manager I ever had asked me what I wanted at the beginning of each year (sometimes it was to get my own place, travel somewhere, etc) and he'd break down what I had to do every month of the year to get there by the end. Worth trying yourself if you're finding it hard to stay motivated.
Rallier
Politicker
2
SDR Manager and Consultant
Motivation changes from person to person. Sure money is a big one, but there's so many other factors that go into it as well. 

I see a number of people talk about it, but it mostly gets skipped over because it's not a silver bullet. People want actionable and tactical advice. 
ZEnabler
Good Citizen
0
CEO of Sales
That's a fair point @Rallier - actionable advice is always easier and much more tangible. Motivation is much more intangible and tough to put words on.

Do you think people can also be motivated by simply being the best version of themselves? I know it sounds cheesy, but I feel like that's the ultimate self-motivation!
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
I knew a sales guy who had 8 kids. Had pics of the kids all around his desk. THAT was a motivator. Motivated him to be there everyday and do all the little things needed to hit it out of the park. Had average sales skills - didn’t say or do anything different in a presentation than the other guys in his team. He just went the extra miles each time. Outperformed them all.
mollybloomstanaccount
Politicker
1
AE (Account Executive)
Remind yourself of the bigger picture. What is your main driver, whether it is $$, recognition, career progression. Dive into your why and look at everything else as a step forward on the path to achieving what you truly want .
ZEnabler
Good Citizen
0
CEO of Sales
@GreenSide- Do you think that with discipline, you'll do what is needed, but with motivation, you'll go above and beyond?
GreenSide
Politicker
1
Sales manager
That could apply. I wouldn't say they're really mutually exclusive like that. My opinion is that discipline has a bigger impact than motivation does. Both are obviously needed though.
Notmyrealname
Politicker
0
AE
As far as leadership goes, here - https://positivepsychology.com/motivation-theories-psychology/

If you want a small motivation boost on an individual level, change something up. Move your desk, change the lighting, etc. I can't remember the name of the study, but it found that a 10% change in lighting brightness (darker or brighter, didn't matter) increased productivity. 
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
there's been a ton of motivation posts, I think it's discussed pretty frequently, I agree it should be talked about a lot though
Boutdamtime
Politicker
0
Client Executive
Motivation is never going to last. Discipline, however, will.
ZEnabler
Good Citizen
1
CEO of Sales
Agreed - discipline is more reliable (gets you to do what needs to be done), but motivation does get you to go above and beyond!
quinoa
Contributor
0
order taker
don't mean to sound like a broken record but yeah, everyone's motivated by different things. Good managers will understand what motivates you and use it to help you perform at your best. If it's just money then great. Sales is great for that one.
ZEnabler
Good Citizen
1
CEO of Sales
Great point @quinoa - I think it is managers' responsibility to great a good environment for their team. This applies beyond sales obviously
12

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