Time management as sales professional
I recently got a question on Instagram that I’ve heard a lot over the years. Someone messaged me to ask “How do you start your sales day? What should I be doing?” I’ve had this question enough to know that there’s a serious problem with time management for outside sales professionals and entrepreneurs. There are a lot of people out there who teach this skill– and it is a skill. By no means am I saying that I have the key matrix into time management; however, I am going to share with you one simple task that you can implement immediately to get your time management under control. In sales we have so much freedom. You can take an extended lunch. You can start later in the day. You can work out in the middle of the day. You can shop online. As someone who has managed an outside sales team, I can tell you that it’s impossible for a manager to know exactly what every rep is doing at every minute of the day. No manager wants to be a micromanager, so it’s up to you—the rep– to manage your own time.
Schedule personal time
Whatever the situation is, I always start my day at the same time every day. I don’t change my schedule, and I don’t change my rhythm. As a creature of habit, I crave routine. And the first and most important part of that routine is scheduled personal time. It is usually between 6:00 and 7:00 every morning, but I might be earlier if I am on the road. That hour time is dedicated to personal development. With my cup of coffee in hand, I’ve used that time to listen to podcast or read books or shop online . That hour in that morning is just my personal time. I do not give that up.
Set aside planning time
In addition to making personal time sacred, you also set aside time that is dedicated to planning your week. This might seem strange to schedule time to schedule time. I get it. But scheduling that certain block of time means you’re less likely to compromise. I have used Sunday evenings from 6 to 9 PM for years, but you can pick any time and place that works for you. Once I create that schedule, I don’t change it.
And that is how you manage and prioritize your time as a sales rep or any kind of professional with a flexible schedule. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog, shoot me a DM if you have any questions. I’m more than happy to answer them. Watch the blog below for more info.
