I always feel a cold coming on and start to dread what's ahead. Sales Sickness is similar; however, it's easier to spot in others.  You start explaining why it's been hard to close more deals. You begin to wonder if I should change things, offer new things, or discount more. You use phrases like "it's different here" or "this is that time of year" or "the economy is slow".

If not cured, you'll end up losing and removing yourself or missing your targets by so much that you’ll need to part ways. I do think there's a cure, but it takes action.

You need to move -- both physically and mentally.  My car sales boss always told me when he was in a slump he’d get a haircut and come to work early. I agree with him and I get lots of haircuts. Like a videogame, you need power-ups. If it's a cold sickness, you need to rest and maybe take vitamin C (no real cure is known but it's worth a try).  If it's Sales Sickness, you need to sharpen the saw as Steven Covey is famous for saying. Study your company, what you offer, and how it's done. Find out the “why” behind your offering. Call a rep that's having a better day and ask questions. Don't spread your disease. Ask questions to learn. Don't confide and complain and talk about how tough it is. No one wants to hear and besides your Mom, no one really cares.

And physically, go for a long walk, get up 30 min earlier, go to bed an hour sooner, play with the kids -- just do something to get the blood pumping. Changing the body will quickly change the mind. William James, the father of modern psychology, told us over a 100 years ago that if you act cheerful, you’ll soon become cheerful. There is science behind a certain amount of fake-it-till-you-make-it, at least with attitude.

Send me note, and I'll talk with you about a plan to correct your course. The key is to act sooner. Watch for signals and ask for help early and often. It always starts with a poor attitude and not taking ownership for performance. The refs aren't fair, but it's part of the game. Learn to play through it.