HiFuture Consulting | Thought Leadership & Social Selling Agency’s Post

Should salespeople be held to a different standard? We've all heard the saying, "Time kills all deals," meaning the longer a buyer waits to hear from you, the less likely they are to buy from you. Under this assumption—right or wrong—missing a call means putting revenue, commission, and your livelihood on the line. So, should salespeople be expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays? Take calls during vacation? Keep their phone on the table during dinner? Skip their children's events to hop on Zoom sales calls? Sacrifice all of this in the name of closing a deal? ❌ NO ❌ Salespeople have families, hobbies, and meaningful lives outside of work. They have the right to set boundaries and protect their mental health and well-being, just like the rest of us. I've seen what unrealistic and unfair expectations can do to good salespeople. Yes, some salespeople are "built differently." But no one is immune to burnout. We've had enough of the burnout culture. The "doing whatever it takes" culture. The "worked all weekend" culture. The 80-hour week culture. The "celebrating and promoting people because they have no boundaries" culture. For salespeople—and everyone else—as well. #sales #salesstrategy #salestips #salestraining #saleslife #salespeople #burnout #worklifebalance #boundaries

Today is Mental Health Awareness day, 10th October, a time to reflect on the importance of mental health in every industry. My message goes directly to the representation of salespeople in the working class, in a field defined by constant pressure, long hours, and frequent rejection, the mental well-being of sales professionals is often neglected. The numbers speaks volume.. - 67% of sales professionals report burnout due to high quotas, long hours, and pressure from management. - 21% suffer from depression or anxiety, driven by job pressures, financial stress, and frequent rejection. - 60% feel close to burnout within their first year. - 33% quit within the first year, with mental health challenges like stress and burnout cited as key reasons for leaving. Sales is tough, and without proper mental health support, it can take a serious toll. Leaders and companies need to step up and provide resources to help their teams manage these pressures. Here’s how: 1. if a salesperson seems off for several days, offer help, not pity. Provide access to mental health support, but don’t force it. Give the channel of support and let him/her contact. 2. If your team is struggling in sales, re-evaluate targets, processes and offer help without making them feel at fault. 3. If you see a colleague struggling, offer comfort or distraction. Teamwork can ease emotional exhaustion. 4. Sales leaders face stress as well. Offer them the same understanding and help you’d give any team member. 5. Organize team-building activities to relieve stress and create a positive work environment. We need to change from the top down as well as from the bottom up. Yes, it's everyone's responsibility, from the leader to the employee, as well as from the employee to the leader. At the end of the day, unfortunately, everyone goes to bed with problems to solve. #MentalHealthMatters #salesmentalhealth #burnoutprevention #mentalhealthawareness #burnout #employeesupport #employersupport #stressmanagement #healthyworkplace #salescareers #mentalhealthInsales

Today, let's delve into a trending topic - burnout at work. When it comes to avoiding burnout, it's crucial to consider the products or services you sell. In the salesman's handbook, it's highlighted that selling products you wouldn't buy yourself can lead to quick burnout. With the vast array of options in the market, assessing your passion for the product/service is key to sustainable work motivation. In the current landscape filled with diverse job opportunities, finding alignment between your values and the offerings of a company is essential. Choosing a product or service that resonates with you can significantly impact your work satisfaction and prevent burnout. It's all about ensuring that what you sell reflects your own interests and preferences. Now, over to you - how do you combat burnout at work? Share your strategies and insights in the comments below. Let's exchange tips on maintaining productivity and well-being in the workplace. #BurnoutPrevention #WorkLifeBalance #ProductivityTips

Proposed Panel Session: Burnout vs. Productivity—Are We Sacrificing Well-being for Results? The culture of productivity in B2B marketing teams is often relentless. But is this constant push for results coming at the cost of employee well-being? This proposed panel session will dive into a highly debated topic: Are companies driving their teams too hard in the name of efficiency, leading to widespread burnout? Can we find a balance between high performance and maintaining mental health? Is it possible to foster a productive culture without exhausting talent? We want to hear from you! Is this a topic you’d be interested in taking part in or listening to at Marketing Uncaged? Like this post or drop a comment if you’d like to be involved! 👍 #MarketingUncaged #B2BMarketing #Burnout #WellbeingAtWork #WorkCulture

Let's talk about the elephant in the sales room: burnout. Here's the harsh reality: Burning Bright (But Not Right): Studies show a whopping 67% to nearly 90% of salespeople experience burnout [Praisidio, Gartner Sales Survey]. Drowning in Work: 57% feel their workload is simply too much to handle [Praisidio]. Always On, Never Off: 74% face pressure to be available 24/7, blurring the lines between work and personal life [Praisidio]. Long Hours, Short Fuses: 67% admit to working well beyond their contracted hours [Praisidio]. The Bottom Line of Burnout: It's not just bad for salespeople; it costs companies a staggering $190 billion annually [6sense]. We put immense pressure on salespeople, and it's no wonder. They're the engine that keeps businesses running. But here's the thing: I get it. As someone who juggles burnout with two young kids and a startup, I've had to prioritize self-care fiercely. Here are my non-negotiables: • Journaling: Morning pages and a gratitude journal keep me grounded. • Ice Baths: Daily dips (yes, you read that right!) reduce inflammation and boost dopamine. • Breathwork: Wim Hof method anyone? (Huge fan!) • Nature Walks: Getting outside clears my head and recharges me. But there's more to it than just routines. Often, the "not good enough" mentality fuels burnout. We tell ourselves we need to work harder than everyone else. It's a story with major plot holes that leads to dysfunction. That's why I believe a balanced approach is key: practical strategies and a healthy mindset. How do you combat burnout? Share your tips below!

🚨 The mental health of salespeople is deteriorating, with 70% now struggling, according to the 2024 State of Mental Health in Sales report by @Sales Health Alliance. Sales leaders need to build resilient teams that can thrive under pressure, without risking mental health. Investing in your sales team’s development will help protect your sellers’ mental wellbeing and improve results. Here’s how: 1. Commit to Growth: Demonstrating long-term commitment boosts job security, fostering stability in your team. 2. Develop Skills: Upskilling enhances capability and confidence, helping salespeople better serve as trusted advisors and adapt to changing market conditions. 3. Provide Support: Only 28% of sellers say they work in a supportive environment. A strong coaching culture can drive sustainable success. 4. Embrace Vulnerability: Improving self-awareness through self-assessment and reflection to encourage growth, accountability and lasting behavior change. 5. Build Resilience: Nurturing a growth mindset is foundational to building resilience. Practicing in a safe environment prepares sales teams for real-life conversations and challenges when selling. If you need help to support the mental wellbeing of your sales team, get in touch! #NationalStressAwarenessDay #Sales #MentalHealth #Resilience #Growth

Another confession from me. I suffer with overthinking. I like to use the term percolate, but in reality, it's just another word for overthinking. It costs me my sleep and my well-being. I am learning how to deal with this, and I am getting much better at it, but it did get me thinking about how many sellers are in the same boat. So, I did some research! Did you know that sales professionals who maintain an optimistic mindset sell 37% more than our pessimistic colleagues? Yet many of us fall into the overthinking trap, which can devastate our performance. Here's what overthinking is costing you: Lost Productivity When you spend days obsessing over a single opportunity, you're not just wasting time - you're actively sabotaging your success. Your mental energy gets drained, and your sales motivation plummets. Decreased Performance According to an SFDC report, 70% of sellers struggle with mental health (you read that right!), and overthinking is a major contributor. The more we ruminate (or percolate), the more likely we are to: • Second-guess every decision • Create unnecessarily complex strategies • Miss opportunities while stuck in analysis paralysis[1] The Solution? Here's what I am trying to do. Focus on what you can control. Make a daily list of revenue-generating activities and take them one at a time. Remember this simple truth: complexity is the death of sales success. If you can't explain your sales strategy in 30 seconds or less, you're overthinking it. Keep it simple, focus on solving customer pain points, and take action rather than getting lost in endless analysis. I also eat a lot of snacks! Do you overthink? How do you overcome it? #SalesTraining #InfiniteSelling #MentalHealth #Overthinking #MentorGroup Image credit: amirlopez.com

Burnout in the workplace is more than just fatigue; it’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. As a psychologist, I've seen firsthand how burnout can erode both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. Prioritizing mental health at work isn't just an option – it’s essential. Small steps like setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, and finding moments to recharge can make a world of difference. Let's create workplaces where people thrive, not just survive. #MentalHealthMatters #BurnoutPrevention #WorkplaceWellbeing"

Thank you 1up for the image 😂⚡️ This used to be me. At work dreaming of holidays and then on holidays thinking of work. One holiday sticks out in my mind, I was checking slack multiple times a day, making sure everything was running without me. Expensive lesson. I was in the midst of a burnout and didn’t even know it. If you’re finding it hard to disconnect and recharge, maybe it’s time to look deeper. Burnout is a serious issue for sellers, left unchecked it can really cause damage to your life, never mind your career. ——————————————————————— Need help? I coach and mentor sales people on issues like overwhelm, burnout, stress management, changing limiting beliefs, enhancing performance and so much more DM me for a chat 💬#sales #resilience

Let's talk about burnout in Tech. More specifically, in the high pressure environment of Sales. The relentless pressure of targets, the ever-changing tech landscape, and the constant client demands can wear down even the most driven among us. Recognize the Red Flags - Constant exhaustion: You wake up tired, and coffee isn't enough. - Dread of Mondays: The weekend feels too short, and work anxiety overshadows everything. - Cynicism and irritability: Minor frustrations feel like major setbacks. - Reduced productivity: Your usual hustle feels impossible to sustain. - A never-ending feeling of running in a hamster-wheel. Ways to Battle Burnout 1. Boundaries! Unplug outside work hours. Don't check your email at all hours, and protect your weekends. 2. Prioritize, delegate, Say "No." You can't do it all. Figure out your must-do's, delegate when possible, and learn to politely but firmly decline extra tasks when you're overloaded. 3. Recharge with purpose. Don't just veg out; find activities that truly make you feel rested and energized – whether that's hiking, gaming, or a creative hobby 4. Lean on your network. Talk to your manager, mentor, or trusted colleagues. Sharing your struggles can reduce feelings of isolation and provide valuable support. 5. Invest in yourself. Professional development isn't just about your skills; it's about feeding your motivation and reigniting your passion for your work. Try practicing meditation and non-attachment. 6. Take real breaks. Don't just power through your vacation days. Use them fully to mentally and physically disconnect. Burnout is not an individual weakness - it's a sign of systemic issues. If you're a leader, prioritize fostering a culture that values mental health, realistic workloads, and recognition to protect your most valuable asset – your people. #mentalhealth #burnout #sales