If you know how anxiety feels, you would 100% agree with me that it is a bitch to deal with. Especially on a daily basis.

I’m not talking about the anxiety you get when you’re about to go on the first drop of the roller coaster. I mean the constant voice in your head telling you to give up and that you’re not good enough. Anxiety makes me scared to pick up the phone when I’ve been doing it on autopilot for over a year. This is something I have to deal with on a daily basis. Monday is the worst day of it all.

Getting back from resting all weekend and remembering that the deadlines are all very real can be tough and overwhelming. You have to learn to adjust quickly, close deals quicker, and make it happen no matter how you feel.

Dealing with anxiety is especially difficult if you work in sales. When you work in sales, you are supposed to be on 100% of the time. One small slip up can cost you a sale (tone of voice, hesitation, lack of confidence, lack of professionalism, the way you convey your product, and the list goes on…). Nothing is supposed to scare you or hurt you because you are that tough. No one can see you cry or see you weak. You must know how to handle the word “no” and be able to handle the persistent pressure to make your numbers.

Some days however, I feel like I cannot do it. I can’t show up to work 5 out of 7 days a week, 40 hours a week, ready to sell, sell, sell! I’m not a damn robot! Neither do I function off gasoline or fuel. I require sleep, nourishment, love, and appreciation. I’m not a revenue-generating machine with a heart of stone. I am a sensitive human being who is just trying to pay bills and survive in this crazy world.

What I am here to tell you is, despite my battles, I have been able to succeed and earn the name “BEAST MODE” although ironically I’m a humble, feminine, and reserved individual at the office.

Learning how to deal with anxiety in sales separates the men from the boys (or the women from the girls, in my case). These are a few things I tell myself and tips help alleviate some of my daily anxiety.

1. Do. One. Thing. At. A. Time.
2. Get organized. Make to-do lists, and get yourself an agenda to write your deadlines.
3. Be okay with laughing at yourself. You’re only human- not a robot.
4. Don’t focus on one long term goal, focus on multiple small goals that lead you to your overall goal.
5. Remember that it will NOT be like this forever. What you feel is temporary.
6. Write your worries down on paper.
7. Do NOT compare yourself to other reps.
8. It’s a bad day, not a bad month.
9. It’s a bad month, not a bad quarter.
10. Tomorrow is another chance.
11. Never have too much pride to ask for help (this can also be difficult in sales).
12. Never, ever, ever give up. No matter how helpless it seems.

Anxiety is tough for all of us. The most important thing to remember is that anxiety is all in our head. It isn’t something we can touch or see, only an uncomfortable feeling that comes with giving a shit. We must learn how to manage anxiety so it doesn’t get in the way of being our best self. Some days anxiety will win, some days we will win. But overall, be able to forgive yourself. Especially on the days anxiety wins.