Work life change

**Octaneforce** · 10-17-2024, 07:03 PM

I am self employed in the construction industry and recently made a switch from the field into sales. I had some salesman on staff that could never really create the numbers i needed. My whole life i always told myself i would stay in the field doing the physical work. However the last few months ive fired all the salesmen and took on sales. Luckily i have a good crew in the field that dont need me every moment.

So heres what ive noticed. I am more exhausted than ever. Im not getting dirty or doing physical labor, but the mental demand of selling and tracking jobs is draining me. I can dig holes and mix concrete all day, and get home and be ready to do anything i wanted. Now i get home after politic’ing with clients and i am fuckin GASSED. I never expected this. I will say ive learned that im a much better salesman than anyone thats worked for me (not that the bar was set very high).

I have a new respect for guys that do more “white collar” sort of work. Its exhausting.

**Cylon357** · 10-18-2024, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Octaneforce

I am self employed in the construction industry and recently made a switch from the field into sales. I had some salesman on staff that could never really create the numbers i needed. My whole life i always told myself i would stay in the field doing the physical work. However the last few months ive fired all the salesmen and took on sales. Luckily i have a good crew in the field that dont need me every moment.

So heres what ive noticed. I am more exhausted than ever. Im not getting dirty or doing physical labor, but the mental demand of selling and tracking jobs is draining me. I can dig holes and mix concrete all day, and get home and be ready to do anything i wanted. Now i get home after politic’ing with clients and i am fuckin GASSED. I never expected this. I will say ive learned that im a much better salesman than anyone thats worked for me (not that the bar was set very high).

I have a new respect for guys that do more “white collar” sort of work. Its exhausting.

IMO, it comes down to the difference between physical and mental stress. Both will wear you down, but when you are done with the physical work, you are done. The mental is the gift that keeps on giving...

**almostgone** · 10-18-2024, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Cylon357

IMO, it comes down to the difference between physical and mental stress. Both will wear you down, but when you are done with the physical work, you are done. The mental is the gift that keeps on giving...

Exactly.

**Octaneforce** · 10-20-2024, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Cylon357

IMO, it comes down to the difference between physical and mental stress. Both will wear you down, but when you are done with the physical work, you are done. The mental is the gift that keeps on giving...

Wow yeah you are totally right. Ive been pretty much glued to my phone which is not the healthiest thing.

**Cylon357** · 10-20-2024, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Octaneforce

Wow yeah you are totally right. Ive been pretty much glued to my phone which is not the healthiest thing.

When I was going to school and working in grocery, I remember thinking "man, this desk job thing is going to be a breeze!"

In my defense, I was young lol

**Mooseman33** · 10-21-2024, 07:28 AM

Welcome to self employed sales. My wife wants to kill me as I work on our cruise ship balcony every trip. Every vacation I work unless we go international.

There is no turn off when you work for urself and every call could mean money.

Sounds like you have it figured out, glad to hear you are doing well my friend.

**Honkey_Kong** · 10-21-2024, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Octaneforce

I am self employed in the construction industry and recently made a switch from the field into sales. I had some salesman on staff that could never really create the numbers i needed. My whole life i always told myself i would stay in the field doing the physical work. However the last few months ive fired all the salesmen and took on sales. Luckily i have a good crew in the field that dont need me every moment.

So heres what ive noticed. I am more exhausted than ever. Im not getting dirty or doing physical labor, but the mental demand of selling and tracking jobs is draining me. I can dig holes and mix concrete all day, and get home and be ready to do anything i wanted. Now i get home after politic’ing with clients and i am fuckin GASSED. I never expected this. I will say ive learned that im a much better salesman than anyone thats worked for me (not that the bar was set very high).

I have a new respect for guys that do more “white collar” sort of work. Its exhausting.

The thing with sales is it really take 6 months to over a year to get good at it. It doesn't matter what you're selling, your customer doesn't necessarily know everything they need. So asking open-ended questions about their "problem" will help you offer a "complete solution."

When a customer gives you objections to your solution, you can remember the 3 F's. (I understand how you FEEL. Other customer with your same problem FELT that too, and I've FOUND that this solution solved their problem and will solve yours too."

But yeah, the longer you do the sales for, the easier it'll get. You'll learn what does or doesn't work for your approach and it'll be less draining on you. Just hang in there. The key is to not think of what you're doing as sales. You're helping your customer identify their problem and you're giving the solution (which happens to be whatever you guys build or service). And since money is often an issue, build some rapports with loan representatives at banks or insurance companies so that you can immediately offer a way to raise the money to pay for the solutions you give.