To the New Agents

YOU CAN DO THIS! One of the hardest things about being an agent is getting the discipline to actually work this like a true job. I had a couple of agents say, “I didn’t realize this was going to be so much work.” Yes, yes it is. The trick is having a schedule that has you focus on only business for X amount of time. The days and times can vary, but you have to put the time in. So many procrastinate and then wonder why they are overwhelmed or don’t have the sales results.

The other thing is your first year: you have no idea what you’re doing. So you try to focus on everything and all the noise out there with ideas and suggestions. Your goal should be to find an upline and mentor that you trust to help you. Do the research. Investigate them. Ask questions. This is your business. Then trust that they can help guide you. Whoever you work with understands exactly how you’re feeling and should be able to guide you through the process. But your first year, own that you will feel overwhelmed nonstop.

Your second year: the light starts coming on. You realize you did learn some things in year 1. You’ve also learned from your mistakes and start making the corrections. The joy comes when you go to take the AHIP the second year and find it’s way easier than last year. You’ve started creating a name for yourself and you’ve fine-tuned your schedule, both weekly and yearly.

Your third year: you’ve hit your stride. You can actually say, “I’ve got this!” and that overwhelmed feeling isn’t so frequent.

Having realistic expectations of working in this business will help. Actually working every day will do wonders. But the biggest advice I can give you is trusting your mentor, asking questions (no one thinks you’re stupid, I promise), and when they give you the answer, asking them to cite their source so you learn along the way. And don’t forget to breathe. You’ve got this!