Hi LinkedIn community – and whoever else may end up reading this,
The name is Dean, and I am a Senior SDR with Employment Hero. I’ve worked in Energy, Legal, HR, Payroll, and Finance SaaS, and haven’t missed a monthly target in over three years.
"Nice, why do we care about that?"
You don't. This isn’t a “look at me” post, but something your SDRs might care about, especially when it comes to establishing credibility. Here are five tips towards building resilience and how it contributes to your success as an SDR!
1. Celebrate Wins, but Stay Humble
- Reflect on What Worked: After a win, take time to analyze what led to the success. Identify key actions or strategies that you can replicate.
- Set New Goals Quickly: After celebrating, set your sights on the next goal or task. This keeps you moving forward without getting stuck in celebration mode.
- Share Credit: Acknowledge the support of your team or others who contributed. Staying humble strengthens relationships and fosters teamwork.
2. Embrace Rejection as Fuel
- Analyze Each Rejection: After a rejection, review the interaction to find specific areas for improvement—whether it’s your pitch, timing, or qualifying process.
- Shift Your Mindset: Instead of taking rejections personally, view them as part of the sales process. Remember, "no" often means "not yet."
- Set Mini-Goals for Rejection Handling: Challenge yourself to learn something new from every "no" and refine your technique over time.
3. Create a Support System
- Find a Mentor or Peer Group: Seek out experienced SDRs or salespeople who can provide guidance, feedback, and advice when needed.
- Engage in Team Collaboration: Share challenges and successes with your team. Sometimes, just talking through a tough day helps you gain fresh insights.
- Leverage Online Communities: Join online SDR or sales forums where you can ask questions, share experiences, and receive support from others facing similar challenges.
4. Practice Mindfulness to Stay Grounded
- Take Micro-Breaks: During a busy day, step away for a few minutes to clear your mind, stretch, or meditate. These small breaks can reset your focus and reduce stress.
- Use Breathing Techniques: Practice deep breathing exercises, especially before important calls or meetings, to help manage nerves and maintain composure.
- Set Daily Intentions: Each morning, take a moment to set a positive intention for the day. Whether it’s to stay calm under pressure or be persistent, it helps frame your mindset.
5. Focus on Long-term Growth, Not Short-term Results
- Track Your Personal Development: Keep a journal or log of the skills you’re building and areas where you’ve improved. Over time, you’ll see consistent growth even if daily results fluctuate.
- Invest in Continuous Learning: Take advantage of training opportunities, webinars, and books to keep building your expertise and skills, especially during slower periods.
- Break Big Goals Into Small Steps: Set achievable, incremental goals to prevent burnout and maintain momentum, even on tough days.
Building resilience as an SDR is essential for navigating the highs and lows of sales. By celebrating wins while staying humble, learning from rejection, and creating a strong support system, SDRs can maintain a balanced approach to success. Practicing mindfulness helps stay grounded under pressure, and focusing on long-term growth instead of short-term results ensures consistent progress. These strategies empower SDRs to remain motivated, adaptable, and confident in their journey, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
