The "Aha!" Moment When You Realize You're Good at Sales
Sales is a challenging and unpredictable career path.
And yet it can be incredibly rewarding for those who excel at it.
According to a recent study by Salesforce, top performers in sales earn 2.8 times more than their peers.
But how do successful salespeople discover their talent for the craft?
Here are the aha moments that revealed their sales skills:
It's Not Always About Raw Talent
Success in sales is not just about innate ability.
As one salesperson put it: "I'm not good at it. I've just been getting lucky for 20 years."
Many sales pros attributed their success to factors like:
Having a good territory
Selling products people actually need
Consistently showing up and putting in the work
Being in the right place at the right time
Dr. Adam Grant, organizational psychologist at Wharton, supports this view:
💡"The most successful salespeople are not necessarily the most talented, but those who put in the most effort and are the most resilient."
Want to learn more about effective B2B sales strategies? Check out my guide on B2B sales strategies for 2024 and beyond.
The Power of Persistence and Natural Communication
For some, the realization came from outlasting their peers:
"Just having the grit to stick with it and not cry or leave. Maybe cry silently alone, but not leave."
This resilience in the face of rejection and setbacks is a common theme.
A study by Brevet Group found that 80% of sales require 5 follow-up calls after the initial meeting, yet 44% of salespeople give up after just one follow-up.
Success often comes down to "being able to pick up the phone after 100 'no's' to get that 1 'yes'."
Many successful salespeople realized their talent is in their ability to easily connect with others:
"I always got in trouble at school for bothering people."
"I talk to strangers at the grocery store."
These natural conversationalists found their chatty skills worked well in sales.
Research by Harvard Business Review shows that top-performing salespeople score 12% higher in social skills than their average-performing counterparts.
Looking to improve your cold calling techniques? Read my guide on mastering cold calling techniques for expert tips and strategies.
Unexpected Discoveries and Measurable Success
Some landed into sales accidentally and were surprised by their aptitude:
"My first manager at a retail grocery store used to just shake his head and laugh at my customer interactions. When I asked him why he did that he said 'you could sell ice to an Eskimo'... I've had a successful sales career since."
For others, the realization came from consistently outperforming their peers:
"Consistently saw myself at the top of the leaderboard. I was a rookie and realized I might be decent at this."
A study by Sales Insights Lab found that top performers in sales spend 35% more time with customers than average performers.
Beyond Just Selling: The Importance of Empathy and Trust
True sales success goes beyond just the product:
"When it became obvious that I was more effective at conveying value prop and influencing the customer to actually make the purchase than operations executives and c-suite leaders that I held in high regard due to their titles, experience, and elite graduate degrees."
Building genuine connections with customers is fundamental:
"I realized I was good when clients told me they trusted me and a woman once told me I feel 'safe'."
This ability to create a sense of trust and safety can be a powerful differentiator in sales.
According to a study by LinkedIn, 87% of buyers say they have a favorable impression of a salesperson who introduced them to new insights about their business.
Want to learn how to build trust with your customers? Read my article on building trust in sales with a customer-focused approach.
Overcoming Personal Challenges and Leveraging Passion
For some salespeople, their past struggles prepared them for success in sales:
"I come from a difficult upbringing, so when I show honor and am impressed by people's stories, I get people's trust and close."
These experiences can provide a unique perspective and resilience valuable in sales.
Research by the University of Pennsylvania found that individuals who have overcome adversity often develop greater resilience and problem-solving skills.
It is their genuine interest in their product or industry that contributed to their success:
"I work for a prestige brand and am a car lover, so my passion drives me above anything else. Makes me feel good being behind the wheel of a new 911 when just a few years ago I was basically nothing."
This authentic enthusiasm can be contagious and help build credibility with customers.
A study by the Journal of Consumer Research found that salespeople who are genuinely passionate about their products are 56% more likely to close a sale.
The Bottom Line
While there's no single path to sales success, common threads are:
Persistence in the face of rejection
Natural communication skills
The ability to build genuine connections
A willingness to put in consistent effort
Some luck with timing and territory
Empathy and the ability to build trust
Resilience and the ability to learn from past challenges
Genuine passion for the product or industry
Ultimately, many successful salespeople don't see themselves as naturals.
But rather as hard workers who've found a niche where their particular skills shine.
As a sales pro sums it up well:
"I don't really believe in luck, but I feel pretty lucky."
As sales expert Jill Konrath puts it:
"Success in sales is not about having the right personality or the gift of gab. It's about developing the right habits and consistently executing them."
So, raw talent is not everything.
You also need persistence, people skills, and a bit of luck.
Your unique background and experiences might just give you the edge you need to excel in sales.
The path to success in sales is open to those willing to put in the effort and embrace the challenges.
You've got what it takes—now it's time to refine your skills and explore new opportunities.
Looking for motivation to boost your sales performance? Check out these top 6 sales podcasts to inspire your sales journey.
💡Want to develop your natural sales abilities further? Check out my "Cold Email Mastery" guide. Learn how to write emails that convert and stop spamming your prospects!
💡Looking for a new challenge? Explore our exclusive listings of the latest Remote Sales Jobs updated every Thursday. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
Part 2: Uncover Your Sales Talent
Take your sales skills to the next level.
In this section exclusive to premium subscribers, I explore the secrets of top salespeople.
Here's what you'll discover:
The Power of Persistence and Resilience
Building Real Connections and Trust with Customers
Using Your Personal Story and Passion to Boost Your Sales
You’ll learn how to stay motivated, build strong customer relationships, and use your unique strengths to close more deals and earn bigger commissions.
Plus, as a premium subscriber, you'll get exclusive access to the weekly remote sales job opportunities in the USA!
No commitment required. Cancel anytime.
"Upgrading to premium was one of the best decisions I've made for my career. The in-depth content and actionable strategies help me level up my skills and consistently exceed my targets. And the weekly remote job opportunities are gold!! If you're serious about advancing in sales, this premium content is worth the money!" Michael R., Senior Account Executive