The sales profession is a profession with ups and downs. There is great satisfaction when you successfully complete a sales process. However, the disappointment is just as great when things don't work out. We often quickly ignore success, while disappointments continue to haunt us. Every salesperson has to deal with disappointments, that is inherent to the profession. It helps to be inspired by others at those moments. Today we have listed 6 striking quotes for you that can help you maintain your motivation. In good, but also in bad times.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas Edison (inventor)

Giving up is not an option for a seller. Where would this world have been without entrepreneurs and inventors who never gave up in realizing their dream? Are you having trouble getting hold of your customer, or is there no response to your proposal? Never give up, even if it takes months. Always try again, without forcing the situation, of course.

“Always do your best. If you plant now, you will harvest later.” – Og Mandino (actor)

You can only do your best. But you can pull out all the stops and invest in your relationships. Even if that does not immediately result in a sale. Invest now, it will pay off later. If your relationship is still contractually tied to his current supplier for a few years, but he still asks you to think about a certain issue, seize that opportunity. Try to sincerely help your network when the opportunity arises, and success will follow.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.” –Walt Disney (film producer)

Salespeople like to talk, that is well known. But words won't win the battle. It is your actions that make the difference. The conversations you have during a sales process are not an excellent opportunity to talk for an hour about your products and services. These are excellent opportunities to show what solution you have to offer. Preparation is crucial. Don't tell what you can do, but show what you have already done to help your customer further.

“Change before you have to.” – Jack Welch (technologist)

Change is continuous, especially in today's digital world. In recent years, numerous retail chains and other types of companies have disappeared because they were unable to adapt quickly enough to changes in society. Don't let that happen to you! Stay continuously informed of the latest developments in your field, embrace opportunities such as Linkedin. Change before the industry and your customers force you to do so, because then you will be too late.

 “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.” – Wayne Gretzky (ice hockey player)

Some leads seem like a bridge too far on paper. The company is too big for your organization, the competition too fierce, the deadline too tight. There are 1.001 possible reasons why you think the sale is impossible. But, as Johan Cruijff always said: “you have to shoot, otherwise you can't score.” Never be discouraged in advance by possible obstacles. Show bravado. Often you will not succeed, but the one time you do, the satisfaction is all the greater.

“It ain't over till it's over.” – Yogi Berra (baseball player)

It is never finally over. Certainly not in our field. Of course you have to be able to cope with loss and let opportunities go, but that does not mean that you have to give up on the relationship. Earlier this month, another great example came from our network. The owner of a creative agency lost the pitch to a major retailer two years ago. Bummer of course. However, he has maintained continuous contact with the contact persons within the organization in recent years, because he had certainly experienced a positive click. And guess what, due to a disappointing collaboration with the chosen agency, he was asked to work for the client after all. This time without a pitch.