On Sales: Finding Your Balance
A few months ago, during my usual morning run, inspiration struck while Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink” played through my earbuds. As the lyrics drifted through, I found myself reflecting not just on the song’s message, but on why we truly work. While many articles in publications like this focus on increasing productivity and professional development, this column takes a different path. It’s about something deeper—how to restore balance between our careers and our personal lives, and why it matters.
If you're reading this, chances are you're driven. You take pride in your work, your company, and your achievements. For many of us, our profession becomes a core part of our identity. But it’s important to remember that we work to live—not live to work. With that in mind, here are three ways to tip the scales back toward the “life” side of the work/life balance.
1. Master the Task List
Strong organizational skills are vital—especially in sales. Creating and consistently using a task list can transform your workday and your mindset. A well-managed list helps ensure you stay on top of professional responsibilities, which, in turn, brings peace of mind. When you know everything is handled, you can be fully present with the people who matter most once the workday ends. Forward unfinished tasks to another day, check things off as you go, and wrap up each day with a clean slate. That clarity allows you to show up for your life outside of work.
“Don’t blink—just like that you're six years old and you take a nap, and you wake up and you're twenty-five…”
2. Unplug—Seriously
In today’s always-connected world, “unplugging” sounds simple but often feels impossible. I often hear salespeople say, “My clients can reach me 24/7,” but that mindset comes at a cost. Everyone—yes, even top performers—needs time to rest and recharge. Consider using voicemail after a certain hour and allowing calls to wait until the next day. True emergencies can still be handled, but most things can wait. Setting boundaries helps you show up not only for yourself, but for your family and friends.
“You just might miss your babies growing like mine did, turning into moms and dads…”
3. Use Your Time Off—All of It
According to a Glassdoor study, two out of three U.S. workers work during vacation. Don’t be one of them. You’ve earned your time off—use it to truly unplug. I’ll admit, this is something I’ve struggled with. Like many of you, I dread a flooded inbox after a week away. So, I’ve found a middle ground: during family vacations, I carve out a short window mid-week to check email, then step away again. I also make it a point to leave my phone behind at the beach or pool and simply be with my loved ones. Trust me—the memories will outlast any email thread.
“Best start putting first things first, 'cause when your hourglass runs out of sand, you can't flip it over and start again…”
Years ago, I was asked to speak to a group of new college graduates joining our company. I told them: “I don’t care how successful you become or how much money you make—if things aren’t right on the other side of the front door when you get home, then things aren’t right, period.”
I’ve walked through many cemeteries in my life, and I’ve yet to see a headstone that says, “Worked Very Hard” or “Closed Big Deals.” What you’ll find instead are words like “Beloved Father,” “Loving Wife,” or “Cherished Friend.” That’s what truly matters.
So, as Kenny Chesney reminds us: Don’t blink. Time moves fast. Remember why you work in the first place, and make space for the people and moments that make life worth living. Happy Selling!!
