What do you do if your energy levels are low but you need to be productive in direct sales?
Direct sales can be an incredibly rewarding but demanding field, requiring high energy and enthusiasm to succeed. However, everyone experiences days when their energy levels are low, yet the need for productivity remains high. The key is to find strategies that help you maintain or boost your energy while still achieving your sales goals. This article will explore practical steps you can take to stay productive in direct sales even when you're not feeling your most energetic.
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Nicole KauffmanDedicated Franchise Navigator | Multi-Unit/Multi-Brand Franchise Owner | Helping people to navigate the franchise…
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Raghuveer Singh ChouhanCorporate Banking | Finance | Banking Consultant | Business Development Manager | Client Relationship
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Amide Turan(SVP), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Keeping your body well-hydrated is crucial for maintaining energy levels. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, which is detrimental when you need to stay alert and focused in direct sales. Ensure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day. If plain water isn't appealing, try adding a slice of lemon or cucumber for some natural flavor. Staying hydrated helps your body function optimally, keeps your mind clear, and can prevent the mid-afternoon slump that so often derails productivity.
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Ari Greenberg
Commercial Leader | SaaS | Market Intelligence
Everyone has different energy levels on different days. How to push through the low energy days can be the difference between making and not making quota. My experience has shown me that most sales people focus on won deals. When the pipeline is weak, not moving etc, energy becomes low. A solution I have found for this is to focus on the sub tasks that make a sale. I am going to book two meetings today, etc. Instead of looking at the clock, look at activities that you have control over and celebrate when you achieve them. This lets you leave your desk a "winner" and will help raise energy levels.
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Diana Matos Alves
Snr Digital Strategist @ Local IQ (Former Reach Local)
I'd focus on understanding why my energy levels are low and do a couple of things to bring them up. Personally, my energy levels tend to be quite high and this is what works for me: - start the day watching the sunrise, and if you can go for a jog in the sand and swim even better; - go for a walk around nature at your lunch break or whenever you need to recharge; - get 7/8 hours of sleep, eat as best as you can, practice gratefulness, practice mindful breathing; Prospects can feel when you are not in the right mindset for it, so first things first, I'd focus on making sure I'm in the right mindset and have the adequate energy levels I need for direct sales or sales face to face.
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Talha Awan
Empowering Businesses to Thrive with Custom Mobile and Web Solutions | Tech Lead Generation | Client-Centric IT Partner | Business Development Executive
When facing low energy levels but needing to be productive in direct sales, here are some strategies you can employ to boost your energy and maintain productivity. Allow yourself short breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Even a brief walk outside or a few minutes of deep breathing can help rejuvenate your energy levels. Stay Hydrated and Eat Well Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, and consume nutritious snacks and meals to fuel your body and mind. Avoid heavy, processed foods that can lead to energy crashes.
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Riya Sharma
Marketing Manager | Brand Strategy | Digital Strategy | Creative Strategy | online Marketing
When facing low energy levels in direct sales, prioritize tasks that require less mental energy, such as administrative work or organizing your sales materials. Take short breaks to recharge, perhaps with a brisk walk or a healthy snack. Additionally, consider adjusting your schedule to focus on high-priority tasks during periods when your energy levels naturally peak. Engage in activities that boost energy levels, like listening to upbeat music or practicing mindfulness techniques. Lastly, ensure you're getting enough rest and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to sustain productivity in the long term.
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Rahim Ullah Khan
System Specialist at trovicor
A power nap and sometimes healthier nutritious food to boost energy that has really helped me at times to overcome laziness while exhausted.
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Brian Bence
Executive Director of Sales
Change up your routine... -phone calls not working...hit some e-mails. -e-mails not getting through...work on your subject lines -neither of the above working...get out there and meet people face to face. Variety will keep it fresh and build your skill level in every area. Also, learn a new product or service that your company offers and become an EXPERT. This builds even more confidence and confidence sells!
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Dan Dolan
Law Firm Consultant at Thomson Reuters
When energy is low in direct sales, prioritize self-care. Take short breaks, stay hydrated, and eat nutritious snacks. Manage stress with techniques like deep breathing. Set achievable goals, focus on important tasks, and delegate when possible. Get enough rest and maintain a positive mindset. Seek support from colleagues if needed.
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Jackie Sierra
Business Development Manager at Carico International
When my energy dips but productivity must remain high, especially in direct sales, I tap into my inner reserve using these 3 steps 1. Prioritize tasks—I focus on high-impact sales activities that require less energy but yield significant results. I adopt Brian Tracy's "Eat That Frog" approach: tackling my largest, most daunting task first to create momentum. 2. I stay hydrated and opt for healthy snacks to fuel my body and brain. 3. I practice positive self-talk and visualization techniques. I visualize completing tasks with ease and success; this mental rehearsal boosts my confidence and energy and helps me reach sales goals with enthusiasm and resilience. Note- Keep your mindset focused, actions strategic, & energy conservation smart!
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Vivek Antony Peters
Visionary Leader || Growth Hacker || UiPath Certified BA || Dell Boomi Certified || Hyperautomation || LCNC Specialist || Blockchain || Web3 || Ex-Zoho || 10k+ Connections || Passionate Auto Enthusiast
Here are some strategies to boost your energy levels and stay productive in direct sales: • Prioritize Sleep: Aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night. • Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques like mindfulness or meditation. • Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can lead to fatigue, so drink water throughout the day. • Healthy Diet: Include whole grains, lean protein, and fruits in your meals. • Limit Screen Time: Reduce electronic device usage before bedtime to improve sleep quality. • Take Short Breaks: Step away from tasks periodically to recharge. Remember, self-care is essential for maintaining energy and productivity!
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Brett Weinberg
Enterprise SaaS Sales Professional: Never Missed Quota | Multiple Salesperson of the Year & P-Club Winner | Business Development | C-Suite | Professional Services | Partnerships & Alliances | Hunter | Watch Enthusiast
When energy levels are low but productivity in direct sales is essential, it's crucial to prioritize self-care and implement strategies to boost motivation. Start by ensuring adequate rest, hydration, and nutrition. Then, break tasks into manageable chunks and set achievable goals to build momentum. Engage in brief physical activities or practice mindfulness techniques to recharge. Additionally, leverage team support, celebrate small wins, and remind yourself of your purpose. With determination and the right tactics, you can overcome temporary lulls and maintain a high level of performance in direct sales.
Nutrition plays a significant role in how energetic you feel. Instead of reaching for sugary snacks that provide a quick but fleeting energy boost, opt for healthy alternatives like nuts, fruits, or yogurt. These foods release energy slowly, helping you maintain steady blood sugar levels and avoid crashes. A well-nourished body supports a more active mind, which is essential when you need to engage with clients and stay on top of your sales game.
When your energy dips, a short power nap can do wonders for your alertness and productivity. Limit naps to around 20 minutes to avoid grogginess. This brief rest can improve cognitive function and give you the burst of freshness needed to tackle your direct sales tasks with renewed vigor. Remember, it's about quality rest, not quantity, so find a quiet space and set an alarm to ensure you don't oversleep.
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Mike Lafontant
Make Sales Great Again!
Do not underestimate the power of banking sleep. In certain high pace sales environments (like door-to-door) it can be necessary for your mental health and focus. Don't be a hero, be well rested (or as well as you can).
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Marguerita Carter
Multi-Media Advertising and Marketing
I find at the times when a power nap is necessary, it is best to alert your team so that nobody tries alternative ways to reach you, knowing you will get back to them in a timely manner. If you have a supportive team, they will pick up the slack while you are on break. Personal time is needed throughout the day to ensure efficiency.
On days when your energy is low, prioritize your tasks. Focus on the most important sales activities that will drive results and defer less critical tasks for when you're feeling more energetic. This approach ensures that your limited energy is spent on tasks with the highest return on investment. By concentrating on key activities, you can still have a productive day in direct sales without exhausting yourself further.
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Talha Awan
Empowering Businesses to Thrive with Custom Mobile and Web Solutions | Tech Lead Generation | Client-Centric IT Partner | Business Development Executive
Identify the most important tasks that need to be accomplished and focus on completing them first. Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Remind yourself of your capabilities and strengths with positive affirmations. Affirmations can help boost confidence and motivation, leading to increased productivity. If you have the option, delegate tasks that can be handled by others. This will free up your time and energy to focus on high-priority activities that require your expertise. Set achievable goals for yourself, considering your current energy levels and resources. Break down larger goals into smaller milestones and celebrate your progress along the way.
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Michael Angiletta AFCC®
Health, Wealth, and Happiness
I disagree with the article, your most important task and sales require you to be at your best, not your worst! On those days, I focus on little task that bother me or need to get done with little value. Be your best by working on the best when you feel the best. Swallowing the frogs 🐸 won't work on low energy days or moments. Nor should you risk your biggest and most valuable deals when you have less patience, energy or enthusiasm. SALES IS ABOUT YOUR INFLUENCE, not about crossing items off a to-do list. Do these tasks when you are at your worst to allow your sales to still nice forward.
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Ajay Shah
Sales Manager| Metso, Ex-FLSmidth| Agglomeration, Ferrous & Heat Transfer, Pyro Processing|Mining, Mineral processing and Metals| Customer in Center
Prioritization of work is key which brings more clarity and also we spend less energy on things which has little impact. So, start your day with your to do and then prioritise it so that at end we feel accomplished.
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Ian Gates
Business Development at National Field Representatives with expertise in Sales and Marketing.
Without a doubt prioritize the task list. What is going to deliver the most value for you, your organization, and a potential client? We are all human. Days like this happen. I find that completing a task can also reinvigorate you through sense of accomplishment. Perhaps choosing a simple task will push you on to the next. Positive thoughts go a long way.
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PRANTIK KUMAR RAY
Senior General Manager at thyssenkrupp
Prepare for alternatives only to ensure accomplishment desired not getting formalized switch sides for it. Idea is your priotrization is less relevant unless user find it more relevant to existing one or in dilemma for comparing several option. Customer pulsation is many a time silent but winner is who can read symtoms much ahead in time.
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Yadira Rubio
Real Estate Specialist at EXP Realty-C5 Global
Have a clear list of 3 to 5 critical tasks to complete and say NO to the ones are not as vital since saying yes to one thing means saying no to another that may be more important. When I have low energy, I get even more focus on how I prioritize my days
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Kyle A. Kundinger
National Executive Consultant - Expert Team Builder - Career Grower - Follow Me - LinkedIn Max 30k connections
Take a look at the goals you have set for yourself. Make adjustments where needed. Start with a smaller goal and accomplish it and then move forward. It is a great feeling when you accomplish something and that should propel you forward as you continue to check off the goals you set for yourself
Physical activity is a natural energy booster. If you're feeling lethargic, take short movement breaks throughout the day. A brisk walk, some stretching, or a few minutes of light exercise can increase blood flow and oxygen to your brain, helping you feel more awake and ready to tackle your direct sales responsibilities. Even a few minutes of movement can shift your energy levels in a positive direction.
Maintaining a positive mindset is essential when energy levels are low. Negative thoughts can drain your energy further, while a positive outlook can help you feel more motivated and engaged. Use affirmations, remind yourself of past successes, or visualize achieving your sales goals to lift your spirits. A positive mindset can make a significant difference in how you perceive your energy levels and how effectively you work in direct sales.
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Sumit Sinha
AVP - Performance Business
When we find ourselves with low energy, it is often not due to physical tiredness, but rather to mental exhaustion. In areas such as sales and negotiations, the professional is constantly challenged to maintain a high level of energy. To overcome this challenge, it is essential to cultivate self-knowledge, seek support in spirituality, and dedicate yourself to physical exercise. Feeding off positivity and knowledge is not only beneficial for overall well-being, but especially crucial for those who rely on energy as fuel for professional success.
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Rajan Surti
International & Sea Freight and Air freight
The best way to overcome to such situation is always stay positive and keep saying “All is Well” and keep moving with all your success event’ memories. The best example which I keep admiring in my life is MSD ( Sir Mahendra Singh Dhoni) and see how he keep working on him to stable his energy level and second is Shri Modi ji and if they can do it with 1000 priorities in hand than we are just having 10 and that too manageable.
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Mike Lafontant
Make Sales Great Again!
I highly recommend "mental reset" breaks. Especially on a tough day where you might face a lot of rejection. You might think that you can power through, and you can, but be real: How effective are you really? How's your mood? Your tenacity? I promise you it shows in your face, your tone and your body language even if you don't realize it. I tell my staff in door-to-door to "go kick a tree" if they need to. Listen to music, do some push ups or smoke a cigarette, whatever helps you disconnect and reset mentally. Trust me you'll be far more effective.
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Guilherme V.
Commercial Management | Sales Strategy | Leadership
Quando nos encontramos com baixa energia, muitas vezes não é devido ao cansaço físico, mas sim ao esgotamento mental. Em áreas como vendas e negociações, o profissional é constantemente desafiado a manter um alto nível de energia. Para superar esse desafio, é essencial cultivar o autoconhecimento, buscar apoio na espiritualidade e dedicar-se a exercícios físicos. Alimentar-se de positividade e conhecimento não só é benéfico para o bem-estar geral, mas especialmente crucial para aqueles que dependem da energia como combustível para o sucesso profissional.
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Nicole Kauffman
Dedicated Franchise Navigator | Multi-Unit/Multi-Brand Franchise Owner | Helping people to navigate the franchise system | Award-Wining Certified Franchise Consultant | Top 40 Under 40 | Women in Business Award Recipient
I find that a combination of a few things is really helpful for me. First, making of list of what I need to accomplish. Then, putting on a short playlist of a few songs, and going outside for some sunshine. Get a bit of movement in, take a break from the screen, and listen to a few of my favorite songs to get the spirit up. Then go back, and start crossing items off that to-do list!
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Raghuveer Singh Chouhan
Corporate Banking | Finance | Banking Consultant | Business Development Manager | Client Relationship
Start with a small win. Accomplishing something small, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can give you a much-needed boost of energy and motivation. So tackle that easy task you’ve been putting off, like returning a voicemail or responding to an email. Hydrate! Dehydration is a major culprit behind fatigue. So grab a glass of water and keep it by your side throughout the day. Aim to drink eight glasses of water per day. Don’t forget the power of a healthy snack. If you’re feeling sluggish, it might be because your blood sugar is crashing. Fake it ’til you make it! Sometimes all it takes is a positive attitude to turn your day around. By following these tips, you can overcome that low-energy slump and have a productive days.
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Amide Turan
(SVP), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Time Management: Effective time management is crucial in direct sales. Prioritize your tasks and focus on high-priority activities that directly contribute to sales. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. 1Utilize Technology: Take advantage of technology tools and apps that can help streamline your sales process. This could include customer relationship management (CRM) software, email automation, or social media scheduling tools. Automating repetitive tasks can save you time and energy. Remember, everyone experiences fluctuations in energy levels. By implementing different strategies and finding what works best for you, you can overcome low energy and maintain productivity in direct sales.
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Mike Lafontant
Make Sales Great Again!
Caffeine, caffeine and more caffeine. Welcome to commission sales. I don't recommend substance abuse but the truth is sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, and hey, it's legal.
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Jordan Wenzel
CRM & Sales Tech Expert | Fractional Growth Leader - I empower and connect B2B Businesses and sales teams with the right technology & systems to maximize their efficiency and profit.
When facing low energy levels in sales, consider whether it's a short-term dip or a long-term drain. For short-term, tap into what usually motivates you—whether it's a quick walk, a coffee, or a motivating podcast. It's about knowing what reenergizes you. Experiment to find your best pick-me-ups. Personally, I always found gamification of sales targets in a short period of time with other colleagues really got the juices going… If the issue persists long-term, it may be worth evaluating if the role, company culture, or sales itself aligns with your personal drive. Sales thrive on sustained energy and enthusiasm, so it's crucial that you feel invigorated by your work.
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