Hustle Culture isn’t it

Let me tell you my experience in sales has been one hell of a journey. The money is there, the checks do clear, but the mental and emotional exhaustion of hustle culture is killing us all.

I do believe the world is waking up to the idea of the “American dream” is actually a nightmare. There’s no way God wanted us to work 30 years at a career and then retire to barely be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Now in sales, it’s not the typical 9-5 structure and we also have the luxury of working from home. However, the constant rejection from clients, fake motivation from peers, and inconsistencies in income takes its toll.

This is coming from a Rookie of the Year and back to back top producer in her agency in life insurance sales. My 3-year career is filled with accolades, but now I feel so drained.

Drained because it’s not what it’s cracked up to be. Again, the money is there, but it doesn’t feel fulfilling anymore. When I came in the business I was fresh from waitressing and it was the career that made the most sense. I enjoyed the fact I can make money from wherever, I could spend more time with my family and travel freely. I was making money I would’ve made in a month serving, in a week!

It was amazing! However, with all the trainings they provided as far as sales tactics, they didn’t provide classes on money management. I would be told to treat myself as a way to get me to write more business. It was fun, but I would blow through everything I just earned. Following after my leaders, I would spend my time treating myself to nice meals and nice clothes to turn around and gain weight, not fitting the clothes I just bought.

I traveled so much and really did enjoy the experiences I had, but I felt lonely and empty inside. I was in and out of situationships, I was back to drinking heavy, and I was making all these trips to and from NYC (expensive af) to be around people that didn’t really care about me.

If they did care about me, then I don’t think any of the drama that played out would’ve actually happened. Not just with work, but the situationships and old flings too. If you know then you know.

I moved back home to Texas and genuinely felt (still feel) so grounded. Grounded in who I am and grounded in my relationship. I really do believe moving back saved me from myself. My personal life is thriving, and my work life is going to shit. I don’t find joy in it like I once did, and was it really joy?

Looking back, it felt like expensive ways to cope with the constant rejection and frustrations that came with selling life insurance. It’s not just selling a policy it’s all the admin that comes with it as well. No matter if it’s good or bad it all comes down to you. Sales does teach you ownership and accountability, but as you continue to work in sales, nothing ever feels like enough.

You could always do more. More calls. More presentations. More everything! Work longer days to get things done. Make sure you stick to your schedule and push through the adversity to stick to your goals.

It probably doesn’t sound so bad when you read it, but living it is totally different. I have a good friend of mine that recently got a job in sales. Sadly, her grandmother recently passed, and a coworker of hers really had the audacity to tell my grieving friend, “What would help is if you just worked more.”

Money is great, but is it really everything? I love money and what it does for me, but I also recognize the lack of humanity and how people make everything about a dollar.

I was sitting with a client who was an amputee, lost her leg, and turned out she was already declined for a policy with our company. She had requested one of our online benefits but didn’t receive it the first time when she sat with a representative, so I got her back on Zoom to provide it to her.

My manager at the time was sitting in the presentation. Now, I was perfectly fine with letting this lady go about her day. She was already declined and already gave her referrals with the last rep. However, my manager then spins it on how she should get policies on her 7 grandchildren (totaling around $70 or $80 a month) as a way for me to still make money. “There’s money in every house; you just have to find it.”, was her reasoning.

I’m sorry… what? This woman was declined and on a fixed income as it is and you want me to sit here and milk $80 out of her when she only has one leg?

Disgusted, and I never let that experience go.

It’s all about a dollar.

There are people who don’t have the technology or access that we as Americans have, and they live their lives so happily. There are millionaires that commit suicide.

I say all this to say; hustle culture isn’t it. We weren’t created to live our lives chasing after money. Often times, when we let go and Let God money flows to us naturally. I was annoyed about a client and went for a walk. As soon as I walked down the steps here came a Zelle payment from a family member (my man’s cousin) because I’m watching their dogs this weekend when they’re away.

Not a lot but enough.

And enough is quite alright with me.

Love,

Jorden