My sales manager was almost apoplectic when they shouted this at me “damn it all Justin, is this career as a revenue leader even worth it?” I had just told them I was likely getting released … soon
… they were shocked to hear me make this statement so casually while explaining it was only weeks if not days away from happening
… and they could tell from the look in my eye that I was quite OK with whatever came next because it was inevitable, and because I was its architect - and now they were really confused
… so I leaned back, smiled, and told them this …
… I know you know that sales is about losing - but if you’re not yet down for that on a grander scale as a VP, then you need to reconsider your career plan, because without that shift in mindset, you're going to struggle emotionally, psychologically, even physically … and each of those sucks a lot
… they definitely weren't smiling, but they were still listening ... I think?
… listen, forget about those moments when you’re winning because they’re the exception, not the rule and every sales pro knows how to pimp a win
… trust me, character happens in the losing … when you’re getting criticized every day by your CEO, every month by the Board, every day by your team, and every quiet minute by YOU - you self-flagellating perfectionist
… and now you’re truly fucked, because you’re unhappy, and you’re living with dread every day, and trying to figure out your next career move which is probably backward - because it’s the only path you can see to get away from the judgment, shame, and imposter syndrome that’s paralyzing you
… so I threw them a lifeline and shared my blueprint for minimizing the suffering … and when I’d finished sketching out a path to their emotional renaissance in a few minutes, I summed it all up with
… this is about how NOT to get fucked … by your career, by your CEO, by your Board, and most importantly by YOU!
… Dr. Seuss really nailed it when he said .. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
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