He’s Doing Something New
I wouldn’t say I’m fearless, but avoiding a sense of regret that I didn't try something is a huge motivator for me. In a way, this backs me into a faith motion. In entering an unknown area, I’m required to lean on God for guidance. I’ve seen this most recently in my career. In nine years post-graduation, I have worked in 4 different sectors (TV Production, E-Commerce, Government IT, and Financial Services). And 5 different areas (Production, Marketing, Operations/Merchandising, Project Management, and Sales).
If you told me while I was in college, this is how my life would look, I’d be stunned. What do you mean I’m not going to be a ESPN sideline reporter? What do you mean I’m not going to be a film executive?
While I do believe there will be more career iterations in my life, I don’t, for a second, regret where I am now. I can see God’s hand at this very moment as He molds me for future plans.
What’s interesting is beyond TV production, the area I studied in undergrad, everything else has been a major stretch outside my comfort zone. Each job represented someone taking a chance on me and me selling my transferable skills and confidence to get the job done. I wasn’t always as successful as I hoped and each industry/function wasn’t always a fit for my strengths but I feel I’m hitting my stride in my latest iteration: sales.
If God told me earlier in my life I’d be working in sales in my 30’s, I’d be like “Ugh, no! Did I have a mid-life crisis?!” I’ve never had an interest in sales and always perceived it as something so slimy. I also ran from the idea of anything resembling accountability or numbers that possibly couldn’t be obtained e.g. a quota.
So it’s funny that in the last year I have found myself working in sales. But I didn’t seek it, I backed into it. Late 2020, I found myself ready to make a pivot; I knew all my skills weren’t being utilized in my role at the time. My role was largely administrative and I knew my charisma, wit, and resourcefulness could be used elsewhere. Fast-forward a few months and I am stepping into a Customer Success Manager role. I wasn’t quite sure what this function did but I soon found out it involved sales. To say I was between a rock and a hard place is a hair dramatic but I knew remaining at my previous job was not an option so I leaned in. While cold-calling was an element, it was to existing customers so I wasn’t doing pure cold sales per say, more so expansion of existing customers. As the weeks turned to months in my new role, I found myself not only thriving but leading my team in metrics. The very thing I dreaded: a quota, became a manageable target for my efforts to be tracked and ultimately praised for. I now had a tangible way to see my contribution to a company. And less than a year later, I find myself being promoted into my second sales role, my fastest advancement in my career.
Hopefully this is an encouragement to anyone contemplating trying something new or feels they are ill equipped for their current season.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43: 18-19)
I love this quote from Joyce Meyer, “While God Himself never changes, He is a God of change—He is always doing a new thing and working behind the scenes in our lives to bring about new beginnings.”
If I didn’t have the courage to lean into sales and say why not? I don’t know where I’d be today. Instead, I’m working at my best company yet with the best people. Now don’t get me wrong, sales keeps me living outside my comfort zone and often a pile of sweat on the other side of the phone! But each win washes away a multitude of rejections. It’s amazing how much bolder in my personal life I’ve become after working in sales. If I can call people unscheduled and sell them services for their business, I can have a direct conversation with a friend.
I’m sure you’ll find so many victories, once you move in a new area or answer a call in a certain area of your life.
Don’t get me wrong, I still get nervous but no matter what happens, I know God’s got me.
“May the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13: 18, 19)
