Similarities of Sales, Boxing, and Life

Nothing good in life comes easy- anything good comes from countless hours of hard work and dedication.  So, let’s get to the meat of why boxing is so similar to life and sales.

If you want to be a good boxer, it takes hard work and discipline, just like sales.  Boxing is a technical sport and is scored based on a variety of factors.  Every spectator wants to see a knockout or a brawl, but true boxing fans understand the sport is about skill and the number of punches landed and avoided.  A champion boxer spends countless hours in the gym working on technique for the main event.  When he or she gets to the big fight, they have practiced so much that they are ready for every punch or combo and they return with counter punches and pull counter techniques.  The best sales people also understand that it takes countless hours of practice, role play, and reviewing industry knowledge and how to uncover the need and ask questions and be quiet and listen. They are prepared with every rebuttal to each objection.  They understand that technique and skill is everything and they don’t wait for the big sales meeting, AKA the big fight, to practice and get in the ring to be prepared.  They are already prepared.  The best salespeople understand that sometimes you have to do the small things you don’t want to in order to be successful, like practicing cold calling scripts with team members and then actually making the calls.   Boxers have to work on technique, but also eat healthier and do more cardio to make weight- the less fun training required to be successful. 

Rejection is another main aspect of sales and life.  To get one yes, you may have to hear 20 NO’s.  This should be expected.  In boxing, it may take 120 punches landed in order to get a knockout or win on points.  Life throws you a lot of blows and in order to win, you have to get up and keep fighting.  It could be a death in the family, getting fired from a job, not getting the promotion etc.  Although it may be difficult for most boxers and salespeople, patience and understanding are key ingredients to success.  The same in life.

The best boxers study their competition by watching film and they know the stance, southpaw or orthodox, the punches thrown, and techniques of their opponent.  The same rings true for the best salespeople.  They can tell you everything you need to know about what their competitor offers, the value propositions, limitations, and even strategy.  In life, the most prepared people understand that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine, bad things happen to good people, but they are ready for what is thrown at them because they are experienced or mentally ready for it from practice. 

Ultimately, the best boxers know how to finish a fight.  It’s the process or the entire fight that allows them to win by punches landed and avoided that leads to a technical win or KO.  The best salespeople are skilled in the sales process and respect every stage and understand what it takes to earn the right to close.  Life is full of surprises, but when you follow the process of being grateful and you know where you are headed, you do the things to get yourself to the end goal.  It’s no different in boxing or sales.