Belief system failing in product — you don’t think your product is really better than the competition’s.

Belief system failing in company — you’ve lost faith in the company’s ability to perform.

Poor service after you sell it — continuing complaint calls are lowering your morale.

Boss is a jerk — for one reason or another he hasn’t earned your respect.

Poor management — acting in their own self interest (butt-covering).

Conflicts with coworkers or management — too much who-struck-John.

Poor training — you aren’t getting adequately prepared to sell.

High turnover — many good people leaving.

Too much work — you work too hard, and you don’t want to put forth the effort.

Poor pay — low pay for your effort.

Poor working conditions — lack of sales support.

Business hurting — the economy and sales are less prevalent or slower.

No upward opportunity — you’re stuck in non-growth mode.

And of course the one reason you may have omitted is — it may be you.
Self-test for these:
Home life problems
Money problems
Drinking or other self-abuse stupidity
Your poor attitude
Your poor sales skills
Your poor work habits
Poor performance on your part
Stress (caused by one or many of the above)

Well, that’s an “ouch” test, huh? Did you find your “thorn?” Did you discover “why” — or did you already know, and I just confirmed it. So now that your skin is crawling with the reality, what are you going to do about it?Well, not so fast there, salesboy. I’d like you to consider some deeper reflection first.

DO THIS: When you find your biggest reason(s), ask yourself “why?” fort times to get to the bottom of the reason. That would be the REAL reason.

Let’s say you selected the reason: My boss is a jerk — OK, why? “Well, for one thing, he’s constantly on me to produce.” OK, why? “Well, because he says I’m not seeing enough people, nor am I closing enough deals.” OK why? “Because it’s harder to make sales. People aren’t buying.”

Sounds like it ain’t the boss after all — it’s you.
That’s not a boss issue. That’s a training and intensity issue.

All salespeople suffer from two incurable diseases:
1. The grass-is-always-greener syndrome
2. The moth-to-a-light-bulb syndrome

What are you really looking for? If you’re going to switch, at least move up or forward.
Can you fix what you have?
What would I really like to be doing?
If I leave here where will I go?
What risks do I take by leaving this job?
How will a new job get me closer to my real career goals?

If you decide to leave, don’t leave for the wrong reasons, and don’t leave the wrong way. I have just given you the “why” formula. That will get you to an understanding of your self-thinking. Then there’s the “how you will leave” part.
Two more rules apply:
1. Leave professionally. Give notice.
2. Leave ethically. Give back everything. Don’t “take” anything with you. Especially customer lists or any trade secrets.

To leave or not to leave. That is the question. Your job is to find the answer. Your own answer. It’s a big decision. A career decision. An advancement decision. And yes, a money decision. My advice is: make sure you know the REAL reason. And make sure you do it in a way that would make your mother proud.

If you’re one of the fortunate few who LOVE their job, please pass this on to someone whining about how green the grass is someplace else.

FREE GitBit… I have one more piece of advice about your job. Something to think about everyday. Go to www.gitomer.com, register if you’re a first time user, then enter JOB in the GitBit box.

Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Sales Bible, and Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless. President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives seminars, runs annual sales meetings, and conducts internet training programs on selling and customer service at www.trainone.com. He can be reached at 704/333-1112 or e-mail to salesman@gitomer.com