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Welcome back to the jungle!

Maybe you arose this morning, roared like a lion, and proclaimed: “I’m gonna crank out ONE HUNDRED emails and calls this morning!”

If so, fantastic. Good for you!

BUT…be careful not to get bit by the Derailer Bug (…nasty things). They hatch in droves after long holiday weeks.

Go back to that feeling you had when you first opened your eyes and re-ignite your enthusiasm for starting the week strong.

Congrats, it’s mid-summer and you have a tan! The stress is at bay this week because, of course, it’s the Independence Day lull.

But even though you’re chillin’ right now – either at the lake, or in your backyard – today is a perfect day to work on your weekend mindfulness practice.

There’s not a person on earth who enjoys stress. And don’t kid yourself…nobody’s perfect at managing stress. Not even you.

For Americans, today is a big celebration of independence. And if you’re not an American, today is still a good day to celebrate independence…sales independence.

Mostly, sellers are independent operators.

Sure, you work for a company, but it’s your territory…and your clients. And while you receive a regular paycheck, you make decisions independently of other influences.

Despite a few company mandates and select protocols, how you approach the nuances and details of selling to your list is pretty much up to you!

Here’s to independence!

YES…Cassey’s right.

You’ve heard the same thing here on MSD with this mantra…

“Manage your performance, not your results!”

While your manager cares most about whether or not you hit your Q2 number, your appraisal needs to also focus on your performance (your behaviors, actions, reactions, and urgency)!

In that light, how was your Q2 performance?

Yes, hitting your number is super important, but it’s not the only reason you get up early each morning.

There’s nothing like the feeling of a holiday week, right? It feels like you got a hall pass and can take your foot off the gas a bit.

But wait…even though more oxygen is getting into your lungs during weeks like these, you may want to rethink how hard your foot is pressing down. It’s still a work week…not all of your buyers are on holiday.

Use the feeling of lightness this week to your advantage…work on your Q3 strategic initiatives and non-rev goals. They don’t age like fine French wines; they need attention.

The best thing about the sales year is that there’s a new race every 90 days! Even if you slayed it last quarter, well…guess what? You get another shot at it this quarter. (Yay.)

It’s Day Two of a new quarter, and that brings more opportunities and more dreams.

Regardless of what your account planners say about your Q3 strategies, and no matter where you currently are against quota, it’s smart to start the quarter focusing on your number one tactic: GET PITCH MEETINGS on the calendar.

“I don’t get it…we had a rip-roaring time right before Memorial Day, but the buyer’s been a ghost since then.”

Yeah…it happens.

Sometimes, you catch one at the right time, share a few yucks, and you put it in the “connected” column. Other times, pffft… evaporation.

Here are a few relationship-building truths:
1. Nobody owes you anything in exchange for a few drinks or a game.

2. Having the same dog breed as a KDM buys you something, but not a lot.

3. Always bring the value…even when you’re in social selling mode. “Connecting” plus “value” is hard to beat.

Honor yourself first during this time of the year.

Don’t let stress dictate the terms. You can control the stress with a bit of extra thought and planning.

Every seller on the planet is exhausted this time of the year…you’re no different. You left it out on the field (as “they” say).

So factor in Me Time and slow it down.

On this day in 1975, the movie Jaws was released in movie theaters. (Cue the haunting music.) For many, Jaws is still in their minds when they dip into the open waters.

Forget the beach a sec…you ready for some numbers?
1. The original movie won 3 Oscars.

2. It took $7 million to make and grossed $478 million (nice!).

3. 695,539 IMDB folks give it an 8.1 rating out of 10 (super solid).

So why is that big, bad, fictional shark important to you, you revenue beast?

Not sure! …it’s Friday in the summer. You deserve a mini break from the skills and habit reminders.

Do you think ALL of the companies that received money from your clients in Q2 nailed it?

Of course not.

Many of them botched something or another with your target accounts. In fact, right this second, one of your buyers is ticked off at one of their vendors…YOUR competitor.

It’d be a shame if you didn’t try to capitalize on that opportunity.

Whether you do formal QBRs with your key clients or not, use the end of Q2 to survey them and uncover the truth about who is performing strongly and who has mud all over their faces.