Working in sales is tough. The pressure, the competition, and the constant need for results can create emotional turbulence. Recently, I came across a book that introduced a profound idea: “Emotions are habits.” This concept resonated deeply with me and offered a fresh perspective on how to approach my emotions and stress in a more constructive way.
Emotions Are Habits: Gratitude as a Lifeline
The book explains that emotions are cultivated through repetition. People who habitually feel anger will find reasons to get angry over trivial matters, while those who cultivate gratitude can find joy in the smallest things. From this, I learned an important lesson: “The greater the stress, the more we need to focus on small gratitudes to overcome it.”
Stress in Sales
• Feeling jealous of colleagues’ success and doubting my own abilities.
• Frustration about my performance, to the point of considering quitting.
• Forgetting to appreciate the small positives around me, which made me irritable over minor issues.
These unchecked emotions built up, leading to both mental and physical strain, like a “heavy weight” pressing on my mind.
Practical Strategies for Managing Stress
Just like lifting weights requires proper form to avoid injury, maintaining the “correct posture” for the mind is essential. For me, this posture is gratitude. Instead of suppressing emotions, I’ve found that acknowledging and channeling them through structured actions is more effective.
Stress-Relief Techniques
1. Cultivating Gratitude
• Keep a gratitude journal: Write down one thing you’re grateful for each day, no matter how small.
• Verbally express gratitude: Thank family, colleagues, or clients for even minor actions.
• Share gratitude: Create moments with loved ones to discuss what you’re thankful for.
2. Recharging in Nature
• Walk outdoors while soaking in the sunlight.
• Eat slowly and savor each bite to relax and center yourself.
• Spend time in green spaces to calm your mind.
3. Monitoring Stress Signals
• Identify personal signs of stress (e.g., stomachaches, irritability, or fatigue).
• When these signs arise, take immediate action to reset, such as practicing deep breathing or taking a short break.
Dealing with Jealousy and Anger
Jealousy and anger are unavoidable in the competitive world of sales. I’ve experienced moments of frustration, like seeing colleagues celebrate big wins while I struggled. These feelings often exploded in sudden outbursts, which only made things worse.
Colin Powell’s Warrior Mentality
Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell famously said, “Get mad, then get over it.” This philosophy has inspired me to adopt a “warrior” mindset: rather than denying my emotions, I acknowledge them and channel them into productive actions.
1. Recognize and Accept Emotions
• When jealousy or anger arises, pause and ask, “Why do I feel this way?”
• Instead of suppressing the emotion, reflect on what it might be teaching me.
2. Turn Anger into Action
• Use the energy from these emotions to take immediate steps, such as contacting a new client or refining my sales approach.
• Develop a concrete action plan to move forward instead of dwelling on negative emotions.
3. Transform Jealousy into Growth
• Study the success of others and identify what I can learn from them.
• Reframe jealousy as a sign of my potential to grow and improve.
Conclusion: Harnessing Emotions for Self-Growth
In sales, emotional ups and downs are part of the job. However, by adopting the mindset that “emotions are habits,” we can proactively reshape how we respond to stress. Incorporating small moments of gratitude into daily life helps lighten the mental load and offers a healthier way to cope with challenges.
Furthermore, embracing a warrior mentality—acknowledging jealousy and anger, then transforming them into energy for growth—enables us to thrive, even in competitive environments. Moving forward, I aim to continue refining my stress management and emotional control strategies, ensuring that my emotions work for me, not against me.
To anyone reading this: consider how your emotions shape your habits and vice versa. There’s unlimited potential to grow when you learn to work with your emotions instead of against them!
Atsushi's Life in Korea 