Why stepping away can make you better at sales.
In the world of sales—whether it’s sheds, carports, or anything else—the pressure to perform is constant. There’s always a new lead to follow up on, a customer to assist, a lot to organize, or a deal to close.
The reality is, if you let it, work will take every bit of time and energy you have to give. And while pushing harder may seem like the best way to achieve success, there comes a point where it starts to work against you.
It’s easy to believe that putting in more hours means getting more done, but in reality, burnout is real, and it’s costly. When you’re constantly on the go, not only do you start making mistakes, but the quality of your work—and your relationships—can suffer.
Maybe it’s in the way you interact with customers, the energy you bring to your sales team, or how patient you are with your family at the end of a long day.
The truth is, no matter how much you love sales, if you don’t take time to recharge, your performance and personal life will eventually take a hit.
I’ve been there. I know the feeling of being stretched thin, where every phone call and email feels urgent. But I recently had the opportunity to take a short vacation, and honestly, it felt strange at first. The idea of not answering my phone or responding to emails almost seemed wrong—like I was neglecting my business.
But after stepping away, I had a realization: I wasn’t neglecting my work—I was investing in my ability to do it better.
When you step back from the day-to-day hustle, even just briefly, you gain clarity. You start seeing what truly matters, what deserves your energy, and what can be moved down the priority list. That’s what I want to encourage you to do: reevaluate what’s important and ensure that the things that last—like family and personal well-being—don’t get left behind.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOALS AND PRIORITIES
I’ve talked a lot in the past about setting goals—how to increase sales, how to improve as a salesperson, and how to hit new benchmarks in your career. And while goals are essential, I want to focus on something even more foundational: priorities.
Here’s a simple way to assess yours:
- Imagine two boxes. Label one Important and the other Not Important.
- Sort everything in your life into one of these boxes. Be honest with yourself.
Your family should always be in the Important box. If your work is taking up so much space that there’s no room for them, something needs to shift.
A Salesforce study found that 77 percent of sales professionals say stress from work affects their personal relationships. Another report from the Harvard Business Review found that 62 percent of people in high-pressure sales jobs experience burnout at some point in their careers.
That means the very thing that provides for your family—the work that puts food on the table and keeps your business growing—could also be the thing that damages your relationships if you’re not careful.
Success isn’t just about making more money or closing more deals. True success means achieving professional goals without sacrificing personal happiness.
HOW TO KEEP PRIORITIES IN ORDER
So how do you keep work from taking over your life? How do you maintain high sales numbers while still being present for your family and yourself? Here are a few ways to start.
1. Set Boundaries Between Work and Personal Life
Just like you schedule meetings and sales calls, schedule time for yourself and your loved ones. Put it on your calendar, set reminders, and treat it with the same level of importance as you would a business meeting.
For example, if you decide that evenings are for family, commit to that—turn off notifications, set an out-of-office reply if needed, and be fully present. This doesn’t mean you’re not dedicated to your job; it means you’re ensuring that your best self shows up both at work and at home.
2. Take Intentional Breaks
Taking time off isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strategy. Even the best salespeople need to step away to maintain peak performance. Whether it’s a weekend, a full vacation, or just an evening away from work stress, giving yourself permission to rest can actually improve your efficiency when you return.
The same principle applies on a smaller scale throughout the workday. Studies show that taking short breaks increases productivity and decision-making abilities. A well-timed break can mean the difference between handling a customer with patience or rushing through a sale.
3. Keep the Right People Close
I’ve talked before about the importance of having mentors and a sales support system—people who push you to be better and hold you accountable. These same people can also help you stay grounded when your priorities start slipping.
The people closest to you can often see burnout creeping in before you do. They might notice when your patience is running thin or when work stress is taking over your mindset. If someone you trust tells you that you need to step back and reset, listen to them.
4. Evaluate What’s Really Urgent
Not every email needs an immediate response. Not every phone call is an emergency. When everything feels urgent, nothing truly is. Learning to differentiate between what needs your attention now and what can wait is a game-changer in reducing stress and keeping priorities in check.
One technique is to create a daily task list with three categories:
- Must-do today.
- Important but not urgent.
- Can wait until later.
This keeps you from spending time on things that feel pressing but don’t actually contribute to long-term success.
WINNING IN SALES WITHOUT LOSING WHAT MATTERS
At the end of the day, I want you to win in sales. I want you to close more deals, make more money, and become the best in the industry. But not at the expense of the people who love you most.
Your customers will come and go. Your sales numbers will rise and fall. But your family, your friends, and your personal well-being are what truly last. So, as you push forward in your career, make sure your priorities are in check. Sales will always be there. Make sure you’re there for the people who matter, too.
