39 and Counting... What I've Learned in my Sales Career

Well everybody, this is THIRTY NINE. Wild to think about where the time goes. I have a kid DRIVING (permit), I've been married over 15 years, I've had a 20 year sales career and 2 failed businesses. Let me tell you a few of the most important things I've learned:

1. Owning a business is not for everyone. maybe you suck at firing people (like me). Maybe you were undercapitalized (like me). Maybe you're absolutely elite at one thing (sales) but not as good at other things (marketing, operations, financials) and don't have the people around you to make it work (like me).

There is NO shame in that. None. Find what works for YOU and brings YOU happiness. From a career standpoint, here's what those things are in order, for me:

1. Time

2. Freedom

3. Money

4. Leading

5. Closing

6. Networking, Trade Shows, Events

Number 3 is vitally important to living 2 and 1 the way you want to. Don't let anyone tell you different.

Here are the things that I hate the most, also from a career standpoint:

1. Assholes

2. Being just another brick in the wall (lack of ownership of process/department)

3. Micromanaging

4. PROSPECTING AND LEAD GEN (all caps because it's my absolute least favorite part of sales)

5. Ghosting

6. Being in a position below your skillset or value

7. Leadership that doesn't hear you.

It costs zero dollars and zero cents to be kind, genuine, and show integrity. If someone is an awful prick, you don't need that business and you don't need that partnership. Those people are poison.

Why am I sharing this? Because as I turn the corner to 40 GULP, these are things that took me decades to learn, acknowledge, understand, prioritize, and put in perspective. Things I never thought about when I was younger and more headstrong and just chasing titles, dollar signs, and the status of being a CEO and business owner. Maybe 1 or 2 people reading this can skip that part, or accelerate that curve, and avoid some of the pitfalls I fell into early on.

All that said, what an exciting chapter this is for me. Kids getting close to grown, continuing to excel in my career, having the knowledge and experience 20 year old me didn't have, and the position to use it. Cheers to all my friends, family, acquaintances and associates who've helped along the way, and let's make this path to 40 epic over the next year!

#sales #leadership #growth #birthdays #careers