Rejection as an insurance salesperson is as common as a bad hair day or morning traffic. But just because it’s common doesn’t make it easy to deal with. It’s easy to get discouraged if you hear multiple “no’s” in a day. It can make you feel like a bad salesperson destined for failure. Don’t make the mistake of falling into this self-fulfilling mindset! Learn effective strategies to deal with frustration, rebuild confidence, and get back on track. Turn rejection into a powerful motivator for achieving that ultimate “Yes.” Join a supportive community of fellow salespeople, celebrate every “almost,” and develop a mindset that recognizes rejection as an essential part of your journey toward success in insurance sales.
Get Mad and Then Get over it!
Rejection is frustrating! Set aside a few minutes after your sales call to vent your frustration. You may even try setting a 3 or 5-minute timer to help yourself visualize this time. Once time is up, tell yourself to move on. Embrace your frustration, breathe through it, and remember it’s just a fleeting moment in what is sure to be a great sales career.
Develop a Rejection Playlist
Create a playlist that screams, “I’m too awesome to be bothered by rejection!” Have it ready to go any time you need a post-rejection pick-me-up. Whether it’s Journey’s “Don’t Stop Belivin’” or Taylor Swift’s “Karma”, find songs that boost your confidence and get you singing.
Channel Your Inner Sherlock Holmes
Treat rejection like a mystery to be solved. Why do you think your prospect said no? Was it the sales pitch? The timing? The materials you presented? Analyze, adapt, and come back stronger for your next sales pitch. Remember, the point isn’t to dwell on your failure but to learn what you can from the interaction. Every rejection is a chance to learn more.
Construct a Fortress of Positivity
Surround yourself with messages that proclaim your greatness and keep you positive. Try things like “I’m a fantastic salesperson” or “Rejection is just a redirection to success!” Whether it’s a sticky note on your computer screen or a note tucked into your car’s visor, keep these messages in places where you are likely to see them after a rejection. These notes may seem cheesy at first, but our brains learn through repetition. The more you see them, the more you believe them, and the truer they become!
Celebrate the “Almost”
Did your prospect hesitate for a second before saying no? Count it as a victory! Celebrate the close calls and treat them as stepping stones to your inevitable success. Make a note of what worked well so you can use it in the future.
Create a Rejection-Resilient Support Group
Sure, you know that everyone experiences rejections, but it can be hard to keep sight of this when you’re dealing with them yourself. Find other salespeople who you can commiserate with after a rejection (or celebrate with after a win.) Share war stories, exchange coping mechanisms, and enjoy the camaraderie of those who understand the frustration of insurance sales.
Now that you’ve built a toolkit for dealing with rejection, you’re ready to get back out there and keep selling. While you may not be able to avoid rejection, you don’t need to fear it either. You know you’ll bounce back and be better than ever. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it fuel your success. After all, every rejection brings you one step closer to that glorious “Yes” that will make it all worthwhile.
Resources
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-handle-rejection-in-sale
Balancing Work and Life as an Insurance Agent: Strategies for Success
