It’s Monday morning and the alarm clock goes off. It’s time to start another day in medical sales. But what you do before you get to the office can be just as important as what you do when you get there. The best medical sales representatives understand the importance of starting their day on the right foot and their habits set them up for success.
Here’s what the best medical sales reps do every morning to jumpstart their day:
Get a good night’s sleep.
The best medical sales reps set themselves up for success before the day even begins — they great a night’s sleep. Sleep has a huge impact on overall health and how you feel at work, but many professionals don’t get enough. In fact, a recent CareerBuilder survey found that 58 percent of workers said they don’t get enough sleep and 61 percent said lack of sleep negatively impacts their work.
Although you may think you’re too old for a bed time, set one for yourself and try to stick to it. If the call of one more episode of your favorite Netflix show is too strong to resist, set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself that it’s time to hit the hay.
Get moving.
Medical sales reps have notoriously busy schedules and don’t have the best work-life balance, but that doesn’t mean your health should suffer. Exercise is important, especially for those with stressful jobs.
According to a 2015 report conducted by the American Psychological Association, 42 percent of adults say they are not doing enough or aren’t sure whether they’re doing enough to manage their stress. What’s worse, many Americans manage their stress with unhealthy behaviors — 42 percent lie awake at night and 33 percent eat unhealthy foods.
Getting in a quick workout in the morning can help. Exercise releases stress and helps get your brain and body moving, preparing you for the rest of your hectic day. Physical activity will also give you a boost of energy in the morning to power through your day.
Eat breakfast.
You’ve heard it before and the most successful professionals in medical sales know it to be true — breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Especially if you exercise in the morning, you’ll need a good healthy breakfast to refuel.
Although it may seem like you don’t have time to eat breakfast, doing so will keep you focused all morning long. Without it, hunger will make you sluggish, cranky, and unhealthy overall. Coffee isn’t enough to power your morning. You need real food that will keep you satisfied and focused until lunch time.
Learn something new.
Healthcare is a rapidly changing field, and the best medical sales reps stay on top of industry trends. Mornings typically have fewer distractions than the rest of the day, so use that time to read up on the latest news.
Skim through industry blogs and websites while you eat breakfast or listen to a medical sales podcast during your commute. Paying attention to the news won’t only make you a more informed professional, but it will also help to get your mind prepped and ready for the day.
Set goals for the day.
One of the best things about working in medical sales is the autonomy and the ability to set your own day. The best medical sales reps take advantage of this and strategically plan their schedules to meet their goals.
Before you head to the office, map out what you want the day to look like. Decide which clients and leads to call and when, which clients to visit, what other work needs to be accomplished during the day. Try to plan the most difficult tasks at the start of the day to knock them out when you have the most energy.
Being a successful medical sales rep involves a lot of hardwork and dedication inside the audience, but what the habits you set before you start your day can help you be a more effective professional.
What does your morning routine look like? Join the conversation on LinkedIn!
