Even the most accomplished sales and marketing pros can get down on themselves when the economy sinks their efforts. But they’ve got to get right back on the horse. To help, here are five keys to overcoming a rough patch.

1. See it. If you’re struggling with a particular prospect or customer, acknowledge the problem, no matter how painful that may be. Discussing it with your sales manager or other salespeople may help you come up with a different strategy.
2. Own it. Avoid the blame game. Don’t dwell on uncontrollable factors (e.g., the economy or price cutters). Concentrate on what you can control (e.g., your effort and understanding of the customer’s problems).
3. Solve it. Try to step back from the problem and ask yourself: “What else can I do to rise above these circumstances and achieve the results I want?”
4. Recognize the difference between a risk and a gamble. A gamble makes you either a momentary loser or winner, but has no lasting effect. True risk-taking means that you can’t lose. In the process of risk-taking, you learn a lot — and you come out of it knowing how to perform better next time. Do it. If there are risks involved, accept them. Then take responsibility for your results and your progress.
5. Redefine rejection. The toughest part of your job is dealing with rejection. You can’t always control what happens, but you have the power to define what an experience means to you. You can choose to view an experience as rejection or you can reframe it in a way that lets you get something valuable out of the encounter ­– whether you get the sale or not. Look at it as a decision that allows you to concentrate on your next prospect.

Tags: economy, motivation, overcoming, rejection, risk-taking