Build the Empire, But Protect Your Personal Crown

Why did you take this job? Probably to make money. Maybe you liked the idea of “uncapped income”. Sarcasm. Or maybe you like the idea of moving into a management position. Or you get off on recognition and awards for your achievements. Sales is for people who like a bit of freedom to do their work and to make their own money; entrepreneurs.

No matter your reason, it’s a valid one. Wanting financial security is practical and shows you understand your priorities. The drive for advancement or recognition speaks to your ambition and desire for growth. If you value independence, you’re embracing a path that rewards initiative. Each of these motivations brings a unique strength to your sales approach. By acknowledging what drives you, you set a strong foundation for your success.

You will often hear in the interview process, and sometimes even in the job posting, that this position will be like running your own business. If you see yourself as a true entrepreneur, think of your career as your own personal business complete with mission statement, strategy, branding, and even L & D.

Let’s focus on setting your own mission statement. Set one mission statement for your time with the organization but set one for your own personal career. A mission statement is typically 1-3 sentences that defines what the organization does, why it exists, who you serve, and how you do it. Think of it as what, why, who, and how of an organization. It is the guiding light for the organizaiton.

It’s a good idea to write them down. If, over time, you feel stagnant or frustrated in your new sales role, go back and review your personal career mission statement to get on track. It could energize you and help you generate more sales or advance your career, maybe in a different direction.

An example of a personal mission statement is: My mission is to maximize commission potential by exceeding sales growth in highly targeted new opportunities in my territory. Or I am committed to advancing my skills in toll booth operations and pursuing a stable, honorable career supporting state revenue — where the only thing I collect is exact change, not unrealistic expectations.

My personal mission statement is, well, personal. But seeing as we are all friends, I will share it with you. As an independent contractor, my mission is to provide companies in the medical and pharmaceutical industry with strategic sales expertise and data-driven market research that supports informed decision-making, sustainable growth, and improved patient outcomes.

Your new organization will have its own mission statement. They will, or at least should, create a culture of working together to support the company’s mission. And this mission will usually say something to the effect of making a positive change with the product or service they provide. Training is where they first indoctrinate you with their Kool-Aid. Use this as a competitive edge when selling against your competitors but always keep a personal mission for your career so you are not sidetracked from what you really want to achieve. It is easy to get lost in the organization’s mission and day-to-day sales progress and lose sight of where you ultimately want to be in your career.

You’re in sales because of your entrepreneurial spirit. Think like a business owner. Respect the company’s culture and mission but stay focused on your own personal goals and strategy to get there. Don’t lose sight of what you want for your own personal business, and having your own personal mission statement will help you stay on track and move toward what you really want to achieve in your career. Now go make an impactful mission statement, and we can discuss strategic goal setting at another time.