Fear of Failure and War with Iran – Selling For Life Podcast E47

Selling For Life Podcast

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison

If you ask any sales professional what they fear most about their job it would have something to do with failing, failing to close a deal, failing to meet a quota, failing their client’s expectations. in one form or another, fear of failure affects all of us, in all areas of life.

Fear of failing is actually worse than actually failing. We second guess ourselves, we hesitate, we avoid situations, and we end up missing out on opportunities. It’s wild to think how many amazing things never happened because fear of failure caused people not to act.

It is inevitable, we are all going to fail at something. if and when it happens, when we fail, how do we move on?

Here are some things you need to consider.

Your performance and actions are what really counts

Our minds trick us into thinking that our thoughts and feelings are real, when they’re only our perceptions. They exist only in our minds and don’t change reality. The only things that are real are what we actually do.

In sales, the only thing you can base your judgment on are your activities and performance. Everything else is unproven and a part of your perception. The only way to move forward is to send that email, make that sales call, and close that sale.

Use failure as your guide

There is no better classroom than the one you find in life. Failing is a way to learn. Take notes of what went wrong, what you could have done differently, ways to improve the next time you are presented with an opportunity.

Don’t take rejection personally

We tend to blow things out of proportion. When we fail or get rejected, we internalize it be something about us and to be something permanent. We fail to see all the conditions that may have attributed to that failure. Maybe it was the time, mood, availability, or even weather.

And if it was something about you, the way you talk, look, smell, consider making changes in your approach, personality, and seek those you trust to give you valuable feedback. Don’t be too proud to listen to constructive criticism that may be a little hard to hear.