ChallengerMe

Account Executive

Struggling - why is sales so hard :(

Joined a small company and everything feels like it's a mess.

Transitioned from product based sales to a well-being solution and I feel so lost. Feels like I have to invent everything myself... My manager also heads up CS so I feel like he's stretched and have no time to help me get up to speed.

I also transitioned from MM to Enterprise sales and things are moving so slowly from what I'm used to. I also transitioned countries/ markets. I thought I was handling things ok and now I doubt everything.

After 3 months had my first pitch and I blew it completely. I feel really anxious and demoralized. Not sleeping well. Crazy how at the start of the year I was so pumped and thinking I can smash things and now just thinking why am I in sales.

is it just me? :(

🧠 Advice

🙃 Remotework

😖 فنون

20 comments

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salespanda

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

Seed/ Series A?
These situations in startups are pretty common: what you feel (doubt, screwing up when pitching, failing, messing up) it's normal and (should be) expected. It is perhaps one of the biggest challenges in sales, but also one you can learn a lot from regardless on how it ends up.
I'd recommend taking some rest and pressure off yourself: there are going to be a lot of variables that escape your sales skills and can't be changed. Accept them, learn from them and try to do your best.
Good luck and wish you the best.

ChallengerMe

Opinionated

Account Executive

Thank you for this. I know I’m going to be ok even if the worst happens but it’s always hard in the moment. I just thought I would be better at handling uncomfortable situations like these after being in sales for 7 years. still tough!

salespanda

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

I get you. Was there myself and shit can get reeeeal crazy. Good thing is that just by going through this stuff you're building a grit and resilience that otherwise might take you years to build. Went from there to sell again to an established org and it's a whole different story.

ChallengerMe

Opinionated

Account Executive

Honestly the nervessss... why am i getting so anxious? So strange never had this before.
Tell me about it, now I am wishing I am in a bigger more set up place where there is a playbook that i can just execute... grass is always greener on the other side eh? :(

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Isn’t this the best?

I mean, if you have to reinvent the wheel, take more work, get more recognition, close enterprise deals, etc. what’s wrong?

You’re just starting. If you blew the first call it’s perfectly fine, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Think how good it will be for you when you’ll be performing so much more than usual and gaining more experience than normal. I think if the company does well in the future and you take the company there, some good(great) doors will open. Hang in tight. This too shall pass.

Lastly, if you’re getting anxious, do some meditation and make more friends in the org to take that stress out. Focus in work and make it work.

Best of luck.

ChallengerMe

Opinionated

Account Executive

Thank you. I think it’s playing out definitely worse in my head and the nerves just builds up. I hope this feeling and phase passes soon… and makes me less productive etc. Need to get my head back in the game

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

I hate reading these. Sorry you're going through it.

Try to simplify. What's the ONE thing you can do today that will make tomorrow easier?

ChallengerMe

Opinionated

Account Executive

Appreciate it… it’s nice to be able to share with this community.

Filth

Politicker

Live Filthy or Die Clean

3-5 goals everyday. Anything more than that is too much. You're ok and the world isn't on your shoulders. Focus on keeping yourself safe and healthy and the rest should fall in line and if it doesn't, not every gig is a good fit. If you can't sleep regularly don't keep doing it.

ChallengerMe

Opinionated

Account Executive

It’s true! I do hate that I am currently weighing my self worth to my productively and performance. It’s so unhealthy.

Filth

Politicker

Live Filthy or Die Clean

I've felt that way and either make changes/implement guardrails or find another place to work or you'll go darker and deeper and nobody wants that.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

What does the internal process look like, cause it sounds like there isn't even one, I'd start there.

SalesBeast

Politicker

Sales Leader

Sales is an emotional rollercoaster. Don’t get too high in highs and don’t let the lows get to ya.
Keep your head up champ.

ChallengerMe

Opinionated

Account Executive

Very wise words - i need a masterclass in emotional regulation!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

There's some irony to you selling a well-being solution and finding yourself emotionally struggling.
There's no shame in having some growing and transitional pains. Look at the number of things you changed all at once! It's a lot to take in and take on. Grant yourself some grace, and be kind to yourself.
Nerves: I use those to stay sharp. If I'm eager going into a demo, that's good. Anxious isn't good. I overcome anxiety by practicing - speaking my story, going over it and over it. Writing out my script on cards, and practicing until it flows. For me, that eliminates the anxiety, because I know I have done all I can do to prepare, and then I just have some nervous adrenaline to ride into the call. Hopefully just some personal review and preparation will help you build up some confidence to overcome the anxiety.
Best of luck.

ChallengerMe

Opinionated

Account Executive

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it - preparation preparation preparation!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

If you're not thriving in that type of environment, then maybe you need to "Fail Fast" and get out. There is absolutely no shame in that. I did it at one place I was at early in my career - I was there about a month and realized it wasn't for me and left a couple weeks later for a "better" (just a better fit) job.

ChallengerMe

Opinionated

Account Executive

This is good perspective. Definitely have some shame if this doesn't work out for me - like how am i going to explain this to people around me blahblahblah. But it is what it is - i'll try my best and if things are still the same, then yes don't need to hang around praying for a miracle.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

if it was easy the people that became teachers would do it...

Account executive

find a way to get more at bats. If you can rely on your team, you need to get scrappy and do your own marketing. Check out this tool called distribute.so, it helps you create lead magnets to distribute on LinkedIn which you can then promote get people interested to raise their hands.
Get 20% off your first 3 months when you sign up for a 14-day free trial using this link - tacos.distribute.so/neab2dvmp4rz

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ChallengerMe

Struggling - why is sales so hard :(

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