Instead of daunting, long call blocks, break prospecting into 5-15 minute 'high-intensity sprints.' Crucially, alternate these sprints with consuming inspirational content like a book or podcast. This creates a feedback loop where manageable action builds momentum and positive input reinforces courage.
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For emotionally draining tasks like outbound prospecting, schedule them for the very beginning of the day. Willpower and emotional energy are finite resources that deplete as the day progresses. By tackling the hardest job first, you leverage your mind when it's most fresh and confident, increasing your chances of success.
If returning to sales after a break, don't expect to perform at your previous peak immediately. View your skills and confidence like a bodybuilder's muscle that has atrophied. You must start with lighter 'weights' (smaller tasks) and gradually build back your strength, rather than judging yourself for not lifting heavy right away.
The common practice of having a fixed daily 'call block' (e.g., 9-10 AM) is fundamentally flawed. If your target prospect has a recurring meeting at that same time, you will never reach them. Effective prospecting requires dynamism; you must vary your outreach times throughout the week to maximize your chances of connecting.
Frame the sales process as a series of small commitments. The objective of a prospecting call is to book the first meeting. The entire objective of that first meeting is then to earn the right to have a second meeting. This simplifies the goal and focuses on building momentum.
A breakthrough for new salespeople is changing their mindset on initial calls. Instead of trying to immediately find a problem to sell against, focus on making a human connection and leading with genuine curiosity. This approach lowers pressure and fosters a more collaborative discovery process.
Simply telling a tired sales team to keep prospecting during the holidays is ineffective. To maintain discipline and momentum, a sales leader must lead from the front by actively running daily prospecting blocks themselves. This visible, hands-on leadership is non-negotiable for keeping the team on track.
Top salespeople aren't just skilled; they've mastered their internal psychology. Most performance issues stem from fear, lack of information, and self-limiting beliefs, which prevent them from taking necessary actions like making calls.
Top performers, like sales expert Jeb Blount and Army Golden Knights, still experience fear before high-stakes activities. They don't eliminate the fear; they manage it by relying on a consistent, practiced routine to push through the initial emotional resistance and execute their tasks effectively.
Instead of researching each prospect immediately before calling, dedicate a separate, scheduled block for all research. This prevents research from becoming a procrastination tool between calls and maintains the high-energy momentum required for an effective call block.
To overcome the fear of tasks like cold calling, you need a powerful long-term goal (the 'big pull') that you desire more than the immediate comfort of avoidance. This goal provides the motivation to sacrifice what you want now (ease) for what you want most, making discipline a choice rather than a chore.