Loud Conversations About Sales - Edition No. 2
Survival and resilience matter more than perfection in 2025—here's how to carry that strength into 2026.
2025 was difficult for a lot of us. I saw those Open to Work banners on headshots more often than I wanted to. Companies felt uneasy and uncertain, so they reacted—and it affected their employees. Employees felt uncertain, and more often than any of us wanted to see, they found themselves looking for work at a time when the job market was flooded. Most people I know were out of work for over six months, grinding every single day—looking for jobs they were qualified for, updating and tailoring their resumes to fit the positions they were applying for, and showing up for countless interviews that “went well,” but never resulted in a call back. No reason. No call. No email. Nothing. Defeated over and over again.
Not everyone hit goal.
Not everyone crushed quota.
But survival, growth, and staying in the game COUNT!
Take time to acknowledge your disappointment without dwelling on it. Validate your efforts that didn’t get applause. Reframe “that is not where I wanted to be” to “I finished, and I will get better.” Position your mindset to refine yourself in 2026.
Your Experience Compounds. Every call, deal, loss, and awkward follow-up in 2025 added something. Even the “nothing came of it” moments sharpened our instincts. Your experience doesn’t reset on January 1st—it stacks. You’re not starting 2026 at zero; you’re starting with context.
Consistency Carries You Forward. Consistency doesn’t always show up as big wins in the moment. Showing up daily builds trust—with your clients and yourself. The habits you kept in 2025 are already shaping your 2026. You don’t need a dramatic pivot—you just need to keep doing the work.
Having Quiet Confidence in a New Year. Confidence doesn’t have to be loud or performative. There’s strength in knowing what you can handle now. You’ve survived hard months before—you can do it again. Having quiet confidence says: I know what I’m capable of.
Give Yourself Permission to Move Forward Without Pressure. You don’t need to reinvent yourself for 2026. Growth doesn’t require urgency or panic. It’s okay to move forward without declaring a big, lofty goal. Progress can be calm, intentional, and sustainable.
Making it through the year matters. Carry forward what worked and release what didn’t. Step into 2026 with clarity, not force.
Until the next loud conversation. Let’s keep it real!
