Hey direct sales sisters, I see you out there. You’re struggling, questioning, and at the point where you feel like quitting direct sales for good. I’m here to say it’s okay to feel that way! Direct sales is a different beast. One month you’re on fire, and the next month you’re hearing crickets in your Facebook VIP group. The schizophrenic nature of the business can make anyone feel like giving up. Before you do say “heave-ho” and throw in the towel, consider any of these 9 things to get back into the game.
Write It Down
Writing down and evaluating the reasons you are thinking of quitting direct sales is a powerful exercise. You may be able to pinpoint something specific that is causing you to feel this way. Is the amount of time you are investing make you feel unbalanced or resentful? Could it be the frustration with the highs and lows of the business? Evaluate these reasons and decide if you have the determination to turn things around and really work your business how you want to.
Take A Break
Easier said than done when there are new products being released all the time, Facebook VIP groups to keep engaging, and generally, social media can be a huge life and time suck. Take some time to learn how to schedule a couple weeks of posts and limit yourself to checking social media a few times a day (or less). Another option is to share with your community why you are taking a break and how they can be supportive while you are away. Your business will be there when you come back and your mind might be in a completely different space for you to really blow things out of the water.
The Comparison Trap
It is SO hard not to look at others who are running at a “10” and you feel that you are slogging through each day at a 1 or a 2. Everyone’s circumstances are different. Recognize this and make peace with yourself that you ARE doing the best you can do with what you have and are thankful for the things you have done and opportunities that lie ahead. Comparison really is the thief of joy. Stay focused on running your business your way.
Delegate
If the reason why you are thinking of quitting direct sales is due to the time-consuming tasks of social media posting, photo taking, etc. consider hiring someone to do these tasks for you. A VA is a virtual assistant who can help with many of these tasks. With the routine daily tasks taken off of your plate, you will mentally have the space to invest in training to grow your business or free up time to closely mentor your team.
Seek Advice
Whether this is your own upline or mentor, or simply a friend in the direct sales world that ‘gets it’, send them a message, talk on the phone, whatever it is, reach out for help. Talking through your frustrations and your feelings of quitting direct sales will help to validate all that is going on in your world and you may find your solution is something you haven’t thought of yet.
Remember Your Why
In direct sales, we all talk about our “why”. Our initial motivation to take the jump into joining a direct sales company. It was the fuel that spurred the inspiration and kept us going in the beginning when things got tough. Maybe your why has evolved and your business needs to evolve as well. That’s just fine! This is another opportunity to jot down your new motivation for why you are in direct sales and continue focusing on that as you move forward.
Read Any Good Books?
Sometimes when I feel not aligned with what I’m doing at the moment, I realize that I’m not quite centered and everything just feels “off”. Hard to explain, but there are a few books that I have read that I go back to time and time again when I feel in this self-deprecating funk. Find books that shake you down to your core, keep them visible on your nightstand, read passages from them daily, whatever it is, use the books to get yourself in the mindset where you can truly figure out what your future in direct sales looks like.
Financial Nitty Gritty
A major aspect of direct sales is all about the money. Earning it, investing it, earning it some more. Money is a hard topic to discuss, even though it shouldn’t be. We all need money to thrive and do the awesome things that we want to do. Take some time to sit and do the numbers. Are you comfortable continuing with your direct sales business knowing there will be times of financial highs and lows? How can you set yourself up for success when you have inconsistent income? Seek professional advice, talk to friends and family, write it down.
It’s OK To Quit
And for what it’s worth, you aren’t quitting, or failing, or walking away. You are freeing yourself to be the best you can be at the next adventure in your life. Think of all that you have learned throughout your time in direct sales and apply those skills to you next big thing. Only you know if you are just sticking it out or feeling stuck. Recognize your true feelings and own your decision and go for it.
Direct sales is a long game and filled with many high and low points. If you need help with specific areas of your direct sales business, check out the Direct Sellers Toolbox for some premium direct sales training, or come visit my Facebook business page and send me a message to chat!
Kristy E
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What books do you read to get out of your funk? I’m always looking for my next read.
Reading is one of my favorite hobbies, Cassandra! I do have a list of my favorite ones to read.
I’m also currently reading The Miracle Morning which is helping to shift my mindset as well. I hope these recommendations help!
I used to be very successful and consistent in my DS business. I sold $1500+/month and had 7 parties in one month at my peak! But over the past two years, I’ve seen a major dip in my sales. My son was born a few years ago, and although I already had another child, having two kids has made it more challenging to keep up with my business. Furthermore, I have customers who dropped me because I didn’t call them as often as I used to do (trying to keep up with FB is already challenging enough). I’m wondering if I should quit, at least for a few years, and let my unrewarded efforts in direct sales go. Facebook has become my main platform for sales, and with FB changing the number of people seeing my posts in my VIP group (gone from 30 seeing to 1 person seeing posts!), it’s also become outright frustrating. I go live in my group and maybe only one person watches at the time (and nobody buys anything). Not sure if my business has just gone stale, I’m just too overwhelmed to keep up, or if I’ve just simply lost my mojo in spite of attending our National Conference, etc.
Basically, I’m wondering if I should just throw in the towel for a while. I still have 4 downline and don’t want to relinquish my 5 years of efforts (I never did get the promotion I had been aiming for). But at the same time, I get so constantly discouraged by $0 months and me being my own best customer after hours of trying to engage customers on Facebook.
It’s nearly impossible for me to call people due to the two young screaming kids (and no help in watching them) and after they go to bed is too late. I also don’t do so well with texting.
Hi Christina! Oh you are so not alone with your situation. Feeling overwhelmed, doing all the work without much return and wondering which way to turn. Best advice is to really take a step back and visualize what you are working towards. What do you enjoy about your business? What are the things you do that make you want to continue? It sounds like you may need to work a little on growing outside of your warm network and getting in front of new customers who are already looking to know more about your company and its products. Consider reading this blog post and I will follow up with an email to chat more. 🙂