What Chronic Pain Taught Me Recently

Last Thursday, out of nowhere, my left leg was suddenly experiencing incredible pain. Excrutiating pain. It hurt BADLY when I stood, when I walked. Sitting was extremely uncomfortable, barely tolerable. I could not lay down which meant I couldn’t sleep in my bed. I slept sitting up on my couch Thursday night through Sunday night. And when I say slept, I mean I may have caught an hour or two of actual sleep each of those nights.

On Friday I saw my chiropractor. Didn’t help. Went to see him again Saturday. Didn’t help. Saturday afternoon I saw my acupuncturist. Walking out of her studio I felt the first relief I had felt since Thursday morning. It was noticeable, but minor, relief and 20 minutes later the pain was back full force.

I always like to heal naturally if possible. I don’t like taking drugs unless absolutely necessary. A neighbor gave me a couple of oxys, which I took Friday night. They barely reduced the pain and the way they made me feel, I’d rather be in pain. It’s a horrible drug.

On Monday I finally called my doctor. He squeezed me in for a late appointment and after seeing me, prescribed Prednisone (a heavy steroid) and Cyclobenzaprine (a muscle relaxer). As mentioned, I don’t like to take drugs to heal but it was necessary as I couldn’t go on with the pain. I’ve certainly developed a new level of empathy for people who live with chronic pain.

On the way home after filling the prescriptions, I had another chiropractic appointment. This time, after the various methods of therapy he used, when I stood up I could actually walk without much pain. I was encouraged and believed we were on the right path, but the pain was back 30 minutes later and I used the drugs the doctor had prescribed.

Last night I got my first full night’s sleep since Thursday. Okay, not a full night’s sleep, as my dog decided he needed to go for a walk at 4:30 a.m. and I couldn’t wake my dog walker to come get him. (Normally she only walks him when I’m busy at work or at a client but she’s been walking him since Saturday. I tried, but it hurt too much)

What’s the point and what does this have to do with sales? This: The answers are out there. (X Files reference)

I tried a few solutions and finally found one that worked. Now I can continue with my chiropratic and acupuncture treatments to heal the cause while also taking care of the symptoms.

Are you having challenges hitting your sales goals? Difficulty getting new appointments? Trouble closing deals? THE ANSWERS ARE OUT THERE.

Read a book, go to a seminar, watch free YouTube videos, hire a coach. Train yourself or get trained.

There’s no excuse for not being successful in sales unless you’re unwilling to do the work or unwilling to find the answers to your challenges. But you have to look. You have to do the work.

The answers are out there.

If you feel a coach is the answer, I have two spots for new coaching clients starting in January. If you’d like to hop on a quick call to get details, reach out to me at jeff@jgsalespro.com and we’ll set up a short synergy meeting to see if what you need and what I offer are a match. I don’t accept everyone who applies as a client, and not everyone I meet with engages with me, but I’m always happy to have a no obligation conversation.

Finish the year strong and set up your January 2025 to give you the start you need to achieve your goals next year.

Salespeople either have excuses or closed business. Which do you choose?