What do you do if your motivation wanes in your late career as an outside sales professional?

1 Revisit your goals

One of the first things you should do if your motivation wanes is to revisit your goals and see if they are still relevant, realistic, and inspiring. Maybe you have already achieved some of the goals you set for yourself earlier in your career, or maybe your priorities have changed over time. You need to have clear and meaningful goals that motivate you to keep growing and improving as a sales professional. Think about what you want to accomplish in the next year, five years, or even beyond your retirement. How can you measure your progress and success? How can you align your goals with your personal values and passions?

2 Learn new skills

Another way to boost your motivation is to learn new skills that can help you enhance your sales performance and adapt to the changing market. Technology, customer preferences, and industry trends are constantly evolving, and you need to keep up with them if you want to stay competitive and relevant. You can take online courses, attend webinars, read books, or join professional networks to learn new skills and best practices. For example, you can learn how to use social media, CRM software, or video conferencing tools to generate leads, build relationships, and close deals. Learning new skills can also help you diversify your portfolio and explore new opportunities.

4 Reward yourself

A fourth tip to restore your motivation is to reward yourself for your efforts and accomplishments. Sometimes, you might feel like your hard work is not recognized or appreciated by others, or you might focus too much on the negative aspects of your job. You need to acknowledge and celebrate your own achievements, no matter how big or small. You can reward yourself by taking a break, buying something you want, going on a vacation, or doing something you enjoy. Rewarding yourself can help you reduce stress, boost your morale, and reinforce your positive behavior.

5 Reconnect with your purpose

A fifth tip to revive your motivation is to reconnect with your purpose and remind yourself why you chose sales as your career. What do you love about your job? How do you make a difference in your customers' lives? How do you contribute to your company's mission and vision? How do you express your personality and creativity through your sales style? Reconnecting with your purpose can help you regain your enthusiasm, passion, and pride for your work. It can also help you cope with the inevitable challenges, rejections, and setbacks that come with sales.

6 Plan for your future

A sixth tip to maintain your motivation is to plan for your future and prepare for your transition to retirement or a new career. Even if you love your job, you might have other aspirations or interests that you want to pursue after your sales career. You need to have a clear and realistic plan for your financial, personal, and professional goals after you leave the sales field. You can start by saving and investing for your retirement, exploring your options for a second career or a side hustle, or developing your hobbies and passions. Planning for your future can help you stay motivated in the present and look forward to the next chapter of your life.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?