Have you ever tried to implement a new sales process with prospective customers in your sales career? If you have ever sold for a living, you have. You have to start somewhere, right?

Whether you were just a new salesperson or were just trained on a new way of selling, we all take a first step in new way of selling in our sales careers. Any sales trainer worth his salt, however, will tell you that it takes time before your new way of selling will become effective. It is quite normal for your sales productivity to actually dip as you begin implementing your new sales process. At some point, you will be tempted to go back to your old way of selling.

If we know in our heart that we are working with a new sales process which is better, why is it that our sales take a short-term hit? The answer is quite simple. Even though your new system is superior, you end up presenting it as a “Mr. Roboto”. When we come across as robotic, awkward, or unnatural, we present an image in which we are seen as incompetent. Some people deal with change better with others, but all of us will face a struggle on some level when learning something new.

Should you give up? If your sales dip, it is natural to move away from a new sales process and return to your old ways. In most cases, this is what most salespeople will actually do. I would also remind you, however, that most salespeople are not ultra-successful.

As an infant or young toddler, there was a point when crawling was more productive than walking. There was a time when you could write faster than you could type on a computer. There was a time when the fear of rejection kept you from approaching someone of the opposite sex. You overcame all of these obstacles, along with many others. You did so because you knew there was something better on the other side.

You have to look at selling in the same manner. This profession can be tough as hell – make no mistake about it. But if you continue to learn, be patient, and not give up, you will find greener pastures on the other side. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time when you are implementing a new sales process. Your paycheck will thank you for it someday.