What is your sales capacity?
How do you know that this really IS your capacity?
I think that most sales professionals grossly underestimate their capacity. There are a number of things that negatively affect our capacity. Here are a few:
- The Forecast– Often our capacity is determined by our company’s quota or forecast. We should never let someone else determine our level of success. In my mind our company, quota or forecast should be our “baseline” rather than our capacity. We should set daily goals that exceed the forecast by 20 to 30%. In this way we can ensure that we blow away our quota.
- Limiting Thinking– This is a killer for someone in the selling role. Even the most “positive” individuals can impose limitations on themselves. These have often been thrust upon us as children or life experiences cause us to feel that we are capable of only “so much” success. This is why I recommend that salespeople spend at least one hour every week reviewing their vision plan and long and short-term goals. This helps us to focus on the future possibilities rather than the failures of the past.
- Misalignment of Goals– Often times our daily activities are out of alignment with our goals. If we are very clear on our vision for the future and the specific goals that we need to reach in order to get there, then we must ensure that our daily activities are a reflection of our vision and goals. For example I play classical guitar and one of the goals is to teach guitar when I am in my 60s. Additionally, part of my vision is to establish a scholarship for students of classical guitarist. My daily activities must include practicing the guitar for several hours if I am going to achieve this vision.
- Mistaken Priorities– Another thing that can prevent us from performing to our highest capacity is mistaken priorities. In my coaching, I hear people say, “I’m working as many hours as I can Mark.” We need to ensure that we are working “smart”, however, and not just “hard.” It is most common for people to do the easiest things first. Often the hardest things are the most critical. Yet this just reinforces the procrastination that keeps us from achieving our goals. In order to expand our capacity I recommend that we do the “hardest” things first. This allows us to not only get the most difficult and often critical things finished on or before schedule but it builds motivation and confidence.
I encourage you not to settle for less than your true capacity.
You say you don’t know your capacity?
Then be willing to push the limits.
No one I know ever died from trying to hard!
Have a great week!