Joe T
heismann had a warning for fellow athletes and for anyone in a competitive business. You know, pretty much everyone. He said, “No matter how great you are, the next great one is already sitting there waiting to take your place.”
It’s easy for sales people who have mastered their techniques and strategies after decades of selling to become complacent, indifferent to their own improvement. Sure, rookies need the practice and the role play, but you’ve been selling for a long, successful career. You clearly know what you’re doing.
Becoming complacent like this, however, is the fastest way to ensure one of those competitive rookies takes your place on the team. The reason is simple: we’re creatures of habit, meaning we’re either improving or getting a little worse. You might not notice gradual changes to your performance, but you’re sure to notice when your greatness is no longer great enough, when you lose your top spot on the team, and when your numbers are down enough that others, your boss included, take notice.
– Nathan
