You seem to understand most facets of how your industry works.  You’re reaching new rungs - receiving praise for taking initiatives in leadership roles - priding yourself you’ve forgotten to check the time because you want to see certain tasks completed – whether they be your own or one’s you’ve assigned to your subordinates.  There you go again on your own, like the old Whitesnake anthem, working late into the night; confidently patting yourself on the back in your few moments of downtime because you’re busting tail all the time.  You’re following up and building relationships with your best clients, and you’re kicking so much butt round the Clock you may as well have a conveyor belt of internal hats at your desk.  You’re an invaluable asset.  But in the back of your mind, you know you could always push a little harder… just a little more.  “Everyone can,” you tell yourself.  “Do it!”

Or should you?

One more call, one more door, one more customer, or just one more application signed before the end of the quarter.  One more consultation.  Push!  Push!  Push!  Maximize!  Next!  Next!  Next!

If you’ve experienced some degree of success in sales, you know the environment I’m talking about.  The competition can seem like its own reward.  You’re the most driven person you know, and you could be right, but watch it!!  You might be working yourself into delirium.

Take time to regroup – collectively as well as on an individual level.  I’m no yoga guru, and most likely neither are you if you’re reading this or other sales articles and blogs like these, but give yourself a few breaths now and then.

If someone truly believes in their heart of hearts that they’re going to get all their ‘ducks in a row’ in their organization by staying awake for 72 hours – think again.  Knuckling down and strategizing your financial future sleepless night after sleepless night will crash you right into a brick wall, and cause you to fail in what you are so desperately trying to achieve.  Selling is easy, but proper communication isn’t – especially if you’re not taking care of yourself.  Set aside time where you won’t be interrupted for moments of personal silence - to not work and have fun.  No one wants to be around a person that has their mind on the business clock 24/7.  Not even Trump, believe it or not.

This "working insomnia" will inevitably cost you precious customers, valuable co-workers, and lead to missed opportunities that could have otherwise been avoided due to minute clerical errors – you’re left completely frustrated.  Is there an answer?

Unfortunately, reading and writing won’t generally wear me out like it does the general populous, but if it does for you, go for it.  Personally, if it’s time for a solid seven or eight hours, even though it’s not the healthiest thing in the world, a big meal will usually do it for me - some people exercise to get their proper rest.  Discover what that is, but I don’t recommend getting drunk or coffee crashing – find a healthy activity or hobby to wind down.

And find me that business mogul who did it entirely on their own, who wore every single hat all the time – and carried the weight of his company completely on his shoulders and built an empire or created a legacy.  That person doesn’t exist.  Those multi-billionaires you’re thinking of right now understand balance in life, even if they project themselves as being some sort of grinding workhorse that never gets tired.

Go to bed. 🍊