Don’t worry — sales burnout happens to everyone. Thrive Global’s 2019 “State of Burnout in the Sales Industry” found that 67% of respondents said they were close to experiencing burnout. Sales can be high-stress and high-pressure, and many reps work well above 40 hours per week. Especially when you work on commission, it’s easy to push yourself to close “just that one more deal.”
Hard work is important, but you should also reward yourself with PTO. If you don’t, at a certain point, your productivity will start declining. By getting away for a while and resetting, you will return refreshed and ready to tackle the next challenge. Here are some things to consider:
1. Unplug. When you take time off, actually take time off. Over half of Americans say they work on vacation. Turn off your phone. Turn off your computer, and don’t be tempted to look at sales or company chat boards. Do something you enjoy, spend time outside, or take a trip.
2. Consider the next steps in your career. If you take time off and return still feeling burned out, talk to your HR manager or your direct supervisor. Sometimes burnout can be a byproduct of a role that is too challenging, but it can also result from being in a role that is not challenging enough. It may be time to take a step up in your career, to a team lead role or more sophisticated/larger accounts.
3. Change named accounts or territories. Resolving burnout could be as simple as picking up new or different accounts. Learning new information and speaking with new clients and prospects can re-motivate you and allow you to use different parts of your brain and different skillsets.
4. Consider switching divisions or verticals. Resolving burnout may require making a more drastic change. Changing your division completely could help you find renewed enthusiasm for your job.
5. Gamify your job. Try new sales tactics. Doing the same thing over and over can become repetitive and mind-numbing. Ask other members of your team for suggestions, do some research online, or read books on sales. Incorporate what you learned and test new strategies.
6. Change companies. If these ideas don’t work or if the options above are not available to you, you may want to consider changing companies. It’s not uncommon for sales reps to make a career change every 2-to-3 years. Figure out what industry excites you and pursue opportunities in that area.
It’s important to address burnout early, before it becomes too much of a problem. Those who succeed in sales are the ones who are passionate about what they’re selling. If you’re feeling burned out, you may just need some time off, or you may need to reconsider your role or your company so you can recover your passion and enthusiasm.
If switching careers is the best option, or if you simply want to know what’s available to you, TitanHouse is a free, easy-to-use platform that will tee up exciting new opportunities for you to consider.
What does your ideal sales job look like? Check out our guide on How to Find Your Dream Sales Job and Accelerate Your Career
