I'm not sure about the title of this blog yet, but it's been a tough couple of months. At 67, I sometimes find myself asking, "Why am I still doing this?"
My job isn't physically demanding, and I don’t have to deal with daily traffic. My office is just 10 steps from my bedroom, and I like that. Working from home saves me at least 10 hours a week in commuting time, which we all know is our time, unpaid. That commute was just part of the job—until COVID-19 changed everything in early 2020. Can you believe that by March 2025, it will have been five years since the virus turned our world upside down?
The most challenging part of my job is the stress, especially when months and quarters don’t turn out as I'd hoped. I tend to put more pressure on myself to hit my numbers. The dealership I work for doesn’t add to my stress—it’s all me. It always has been because I strive to be the best at what I do. After 44 years of doing this daily, I still haven’t fully conquered the issue of stress. Instead, I’ve learned to live with it and manage it, especially when sales and opportunities don’t go as planned.
Over the weekend, I had a conversation with my son about his new job and the potential for advancement. Living in New Jersey, we all know we need to make a good income—everything is so expensive. I told him, “As long as you work hard, you never know what tomorrow will bring.” I hate to sound cliché, but it’s true. Things often happen when you least expect them, but they won’t happen if you give up.
Just a few days ago, one of my clients called out of the blue, saying they needed another device. We met, measured the space, and discussed how costs have risen over the past three years. My client agreed and mentioned they had to raise their own prices as well. On Monday, I’ll be delivering a quote for a $75,000 production device. There’s a good chance this deal will close quickly, like others have in the past. Now, I just need the leasing company’s approval to make it happen.
So why am I still doing this? Well, it gives me a purpose each day. I don’t think I’d do well in retirement because I need something to keep my mind active. Most importantly, I want to ensure that I can continue to take care of my wife as we grow older and give her what she needs. And truth be told, I still enjoy what I do, especially when I’m able to help my clients and other sales reps.
-=Good Selling=-
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