Gotta have faith in yourself and faith that things will work out for the best. And trust me I still struggle with this, probably always will. But here we go anyway. This week and today have been nothing but unanswered questions for me. Its got me running around like Jim Carrey’s version of the Riddler complete with distracting bat bombs. If you can’t conjure that image I recommend watching Batman Forever, for a bit of fun 90’s cheesy action. Tommy Lee Jones is also a character. But I digress.
Spark note version of what has been going on. I reached out to my old district manager, sent him my updated resume, and asked if his new company could use my skills in any open positions. Took him less than 20 minutes to email me back that his hr person would be reaching out, less than a day for an interview and they wanted a decision by the following friday. Which just happens to be tomorrow.
Sounds great right? Based on my resume they discussed with me an outside sales rep position. Inside and showroom sales I could literally do in my sleep but to be completely transparent I have never had to go out to find new clients/business in a sales goal type of position. It intimidates me. Also the position was in Eugene, Oregon, I currently reside in Las Vegas NV. Moving to a new place and negotiating a salary is all new to me as well.
If you are wondering where the faith part comes in, I’m getting there. I immediately started second guessing my ability to do the job and that negative voice started talking. “You don’t have the experience, you can’t ask for that much, what if you get there and it doesn’t work out?.” It took a weekend for me to process everything I was thinking and feeling but Monday it hit me while I was doing my samples at work. I have never gone into any job knowing exactly what to do but I have come out successful on the other side. I know what you are thinking, that obviously training is for every new job. 100% truth. But what I forgot as I was weighing my options is that I have always known I can do it and I am going places.
For a brief few days, I forgot that I have faith in me and know I am capable. In every job I have started, I have had to learn new things. In each job, up to this point I have exceeded my and others expectations. Will I have to learn how to go into new companies and sell products, sure. But do I know how to build relationships with customers? I already do that. Can I design a job, calculate materials, place orders? Yep, might not know the new products but I have sold furniture, flooring and even kitchens before. And if that isn’t enough to believe in me it never hurts to get a few build ups from people you trust.
Of course I discussed the options with my current boss, a coworker who works with me daily, and even from a friend I don’t talk with all that much. All three of them gave me the same feedback. They have seen how friendly and patiently I work with clients, they have seen that I care to help people as much as I can and that is what makes a great salesperson. Talking with them and hearing their opinion of me really opened my eyes to the negative self talk I mentioned. I have to have more faith, more confidence in my skills. They shouldn’t be more sure or confident in me than I am.
The position details are yet to be clarified and hammered out. There are multiple rep positions and inside sales positions open and to be considered. Oregon, Utah and possibly one coming open here in Las Vegas in a few weeks. I am meeting with a local rep tomorrow to see how the positions really work, the ins and outs. I will have a better idea of what is for me after our talk. But I do know that whichever position I should choose, and wherever I end up I can and will make it work like I have before.
Every job I have had, every skill I have learned, even every connection I have made has led to this point. I came back to Sherwin because I kept in touch with my old manager/friend and she saw an opening for me. I dont mean to sound like I am bragging but I took what started as an idea of a department, to a sample making, smoothly running machine. Because of that, I left an impression on my district manager, he was willing to give me a chance and now things are rolling. Quickly I might add. I have faith that the next steps will continue to move me forward and this is only the beginning. I am putting my success out there into the universe and having faith that I can reach my goals.
Remember the things you have done or came thru. Use those to believe in you and your future self!!
The Distracted Damsel 