Feeling stuck in your sales career? I see you, and I’ve got your back.

I write this as a sales person who’s experienced the ups and downs of just about every role, and considering I’ve worked with countless professionals who found themselves feeling stuck, stagnant, and unsatisfied in their sales roles, I write this post for you. And if you’re feeling stuck because you cannot find a sales job, this is written for you too.

And let’s get really real. Given it’s the holiday season, the weight can be unbearable. Not only affecting our career mindset, it can also affect those around us and our own sense of self worth. 

Whether it’s a job they’ve grown to dislike, a company culture that feels stifling, or a boss they simply can’t gel with, being trapped in an unfulfilling situation can take a serious toll.

I get it – the emotional and psychological weight of feeling stuck is heavy. It chips away at your motivation, saps your confidence, and can even spill over into your personal life. But here’s the thing: being stuck is a temporary state. With the right mindset and strategic action plan, you can break free and find the sales career fulfillment you deserve. You are the biggest contributor to getting yourself unstuck, it doesn’t feel easy, and nobody ever said life was easy, right?

Here’s the good news. This post is meant to help meet you where you are at in your own mindset and offer some suggestions, not just from me, on getting ourselves out of the rut. I’ll share some common signs of feeling stuck, the impact it can have, and practical, proven strategies to help you get unstuck and back on the path to sales success. Let’s dive in.

Remember, you’ve done the work, and you’ve #EarnedTheRight to get unstuck.

Recognizing the Symptoms of a Stuck Sales Career

The first step to getting unstuck is being able to identify when you’re in that rut. Some telltale signs include:

• Lack of enthusiasm or passion for your work – As Richard Branson said, “Screw it, let’s do it.” If that fire has gone out, it’s a red flag. 
• Feeling undervalued or unappreciated by your manager or company – Your contributions should be recognized and rewarded. Without that, it’s easy to get discouraged.
• Stagnating or regressing in your sales skills and performance – If your numbers are slipping and you’re not growing, that’s a problem.
• High stress, anxiety, and burnout – Constant overwhelm and emotional exhaustion are clear signs that something needs to change.
• Resentment towards your job, boss, or organization – Chronic complaining and negativity point to deeper issues.

The Toll of Feeling Stuck

When you’re trapped in an unfulfilling sales role, it takes a serious toll. I’ve seen it manifest in a few key ways:

• Plummeting motivation and sense of purpose – Without that vital drive, achieving your goals becomes an uphill battle.
• Damaged self-esteem and confidence – Constantly feeling undervalued can erode your belief in your own abilities. (Brown, Brené)
• Heightened stress, anxiety, and burnout risk – The chronic strain can have real physical and mental health consequences.
• Strained personal relationships – The negative energy from work can seep into your home life.
• Feelings of hopelessness and depression – In severe cases, a sense of total despair can set in.

Getting Unstuck: Strategies for Sales Professionals

Fortunately, there are concrete steps you can take to break free from the grip of feeling stuck in your sales career. Here are my top recommendations:

• Reframe your perspective – It’s easy to get caught in a negative mindset, but that won’t serve you. Try to view your situation through a more constructive lens. Remind yourself that being stuck is temporary, and you have the power to change it. (Carol S. Dwek)
• Recognize and accept your accomplishments – It’s ok to be proud. Make a list of the following – sales goal achievements based on how you were measured, monthly, quarterly, etc. Average deal sizes at each role, largest deals you’ve ever closed, average sales cycles, longest sales cycles, and of course name the names of your biggest clients. Remember, these are YOUR accomplishments and yes, you 100% can mention any of them. Your employer does not own your work experience or experiences. 
• From above you can now better assess your transferable skills – Even if you’re dissatisfied with your current role, you’ve likely built up a repertoire of valuable sales competencies. Make a list of your strongest skills – things like sales leadership, training, interviewing, prospecting, negotiation, client management, or data analysis and sales forecasting. These will be assets as you explore new opportunities.
• Expand your professional network – Tapping into your connections is one of the most effective ways to uncover new sales roles. Reach out to former colleagues, industry contacts, and LinkedIn connections. Let them know you’re open to exploring options, and ask if they have any leads or advice. (Keith  Ferrazzi)
• Invest in yourself – Don’t blame someone else for not investing in your learning. Invest in improving the sales skills you want. This is up to you. If you’re feeling stagnant, take the initiative to build new skills that will make you more marketable. Look for relevant training programs, certifications, or online courses that can enhance your competencies. And there are so many free resources, cost is not an acceptable excuse. Whether paid or unpaid this demonstrates your commitment to growth and will make you more attractive as you seek new sales career opportunities.
• Explore alternative sales paths – Don’t limit yourself to the same old job titles and industries. Broaden your horizons and investigate other specialized sales roles, like enterprise account management, sales enablement, or channel partnerships. A change of pace could be just what you need.
• Consider a career pivot – If you’ve decided sales is no longer the right fit, don’t be afraid to explore completely different paths. Your transferable skills may translate surprisingly well to adjacent fields like marketing, customer success, or even entrepreneurship. (Daniel H. Pink)
• Update your personal brand – We all know it has a lot to do with LinkedIn. As you start exploring new opportunities, make sure your resume, LinkedIn profile, and other professional materials accurately reflect your skills, experiences, and career goals. This will help you attract the right attention.
• Develop an action plan – Once you’ve identified the steps you need to take, create a concrete strategy with milestones and deadlines. This will keep you accountable and on track.

The key is to approach this process with patience, self-compassion, and a solutions-focused mindset. Getting unstuck is rarely a quick or easy journey, so celebrate small wins and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Stay focused on your end goal of finding fulfillment in your sales career.

No one should have to endure the emotional and professional toll of feeling perpetually stuck. By taking a proactive, strategic approach, you can break free of that rut and discover new paths to success and satisfaction. I’ve seen it happen time and time again, and I’m confident you can do it too.

If you are feeling stuck in your sales career and need support or guidance along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you get unstuck and back on the road to an incredible sales career.