The Sales Shift: A Leader's Lens The Power of Empty Space: What My Office Cleanup Taught Me About Sales Success
Chantel George
Founder & CEO, Sistas In Sales | Global Organization for Women of Color in Sales | Consultant & Business Advisor
As women of color in sales, we carry more than just quotas – we carry the weight of representation, the pressure of being "the only one," and often the responsibility of paving the way for others. Sometimes that weight shows up in unexpected places – like the piles of "just in case" items we keep, reminding us of times we had to be over-prepared just to be seen as prepared enough.
This Thanksgiving weekend, I found myself knee-deep in junk mail, old stationary, and forgotten office knickknacks. As I filled garbage bags with items I once thought were essential, something clicked: the same clutter that fills our physical spaces occupies our mental ones.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: salespeople spend only 33% of their time actually selling. The rest? Lost to the digital quicksand of notifications, endless email chains, and that ever-growing to-do list. With each interruption costing 23 minutes of deep focus and the average rep losing $18K annually to distractions, we're not just losing time – we're leaving money on the table. The physical clutter around us is just the tip of the iceberg. It's what's happening in our heads that's really costing us.
The Weight of Mental Clutter
In 2024, our minds are overwhelmed by an endless stream: hourly headlines, a relentless election cycle, anxiety-inducing global events, and social feeds that never sleep. Sound familiar?
What Sets Top Performers Apart
Elite sellers have mastered mental decluttering. They're fully present - not thinking about brunch plans or scrolling headlines during client calls. They've learned that a cluttered mind can't solve complex problems. Instead of collecting mental baggage (outdated assumptions, quota anxiety, market worries), they create space for what matters: deep client understanding.
Making Space for Success
At Sistas in Sales, we're taking intentional steps to declutter:
The 10-Minute Reset Method
Before every client interaction:
领英推荐
Your End-of-Year Challenge
As we close 2024, ask yourself:
The Reward Factor
Remember: decluttering isn't just about removing – it's about making space for what matters. For us at SIS, it's about coming together. Join us December 15th at 5 PM EST for holiday mixology with Camille Wilson - where we can exhale, celebrate our wins, and toast to creating space for even bigger success in 2025.
Let's Connect
Share your decluttering plans or reward strategies in the comments. How are you making space for success in 2025?
#SalesSuccess #MentalClarity #SalesLeadership #SistasInSales
?? I Set Up the Tech That Keeps Customers Happy.
3 个月My first decluttering goal is to close some of these tabs. That tip resonated with me because it physically represents the clutter that fills my mind. Thank you for sharing this reminder. ??
Real Estate: Realtor |Transaction Coordinator
3 个月This was amazing! Everything I needed. Thank you Queen!
I absolutely loved every moment of this read—it made me feel so seen! Wishing you all the success, Happy Decluttering Saleswoman!
Events manager Hédonisterie Gourmets de France | Scénographie et organisation d'événements haut de gamme
3 个月??
Content Creator | Personal Branding Coach | Social Media & Creative Strategist | Using Direct Response & Storytelling to Create High-Converting Videos for Global Brands | Pioneering Asia’s Creator Economy
3 个月Chantel George, thank you for sharing your insights on the impact of mental clutter in sales; it's a powerful reminder of the importance of clarity