We get hit with negative people and negative situations throughout our lives all the time. It’s something that’s inevitable and bound to happen. But, when it happens in a professional sales environment, things feel a bit different.

After all, we come to work with a goal that we’re trying to achieve but when hit with a negative person or situation, it kind of puts us off track and makes us lose some of our motivation. 

So, in a negative sales environment, how do you continue keeping your eyes on the prize despite dealing with negativity and “noise”? Here are some of the tips I want you to keep in mind.

Keep a positive attitude no matter what

You’ve probably heard this tip many times throughout your career, and it’s one that is a lot easier said than done. But, keeping a positive attitude will go much farther than you think in a negative environment. 

Your attitude is a reflection of who you are. It’s important to stay professional and maintain that positive attitude because no matter how mean or how snarky people can be, your attitude is something that they will remember. 

At the end of the day, you have bigger goals to accomplish. Don’t give into how negative people or situations are making you feel.

Set goals

Sometimes all we need is something tangible to focus on and keep our mind off of the negativity in our environment. 

Take a step back and remind yourself of your “why.” What are you working so hard towards and what do you need to do to get it done? When you have a goal you can take the steps you need each day to bring yourself closer to it. 

In negative situations, reminding yourself of your goals can bring you back to a mental headspace where you can focus on your “prize.” 

Don’t take anything personal

Remember, it’s not you, it’s them. Who knows if the person that you had a negative encounter with is having a bad day? Oftentimes these behaviors are a result of them projecting onto you, and it likely has nothing to do with you.

You may even take a step back, ask them to come back another time and realize that how they acted was truly not at all how they really are. Hold your head up high and keep that in mind for when you talk to that person again. 

Stay organized and keep track of your progress 

A lot of the time we lose track of how far we’ve come. We get so caught up in trying to close sales or forge relationships that we lose track of the progress that we made. When dealing with negative situations, write detailed notes about how you dealt with the situation, and identify what you can do differently next time. 

Continue to keep track of your progress about how you deal with certain things. It will make a difference in your outlook on these negative situations, and reveal a lot of your personal and professional growth.

Resort to your network 

Your network has more meaning than just connections. During negative situations in sales, they can be one of the number one resources to help you navigate and learn. 

Don’t be afraid to be transparent with your network about negative interactions and ask them what they would do. You can even role play with them to help you prepare for the next time you see that person. We’re all on a similar journey together. 

Celebrate your successes

Big or small, old or new, your successes and milestones deserve to be celebrated. Let them serve as reminders that despite a difficult bump or two in the road, you’ve still been able to accomplish so much. That alone should be enough to help bring you back to a more calm and collected state of mind.

We all will have bad days, whether it’s personal or professional. Don’t let the negativity of those moments distract you from your potential and your capabilities. 

Don’t ever doubt yourself and feel as though you’re not worthy of accomplishing your goals just because someone was having a tough day. 

If you want more information about staying positive in a negative sales environment, I’m here to help you through it all.

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