While there are many keys to finding success as a Salesforce consultant, one that many would be surprised to find is discomfort. Oftentimes, many people strive to identify success solely with positive markers, financial accomplishments or awards, however, a consultant’s willingness to be uncomfortable is a true sign of someone on the right path.
Experiencing discomfort is a great indicator that the tasks being performed can contribute towards personal or professional growth. Staying within the boundaries of responsibilities or tasks a consultant knows they can accomplish quickly and easily can lead to stagnation, or an actual regression of skills. In the world of technology, especially with Salesforce, things evolve, usually rather quickly. Only accepting projects in which you feel comfortable and safe can not only lead to boredom, but can also soften your competitive edge, slowly dragging you down to the bottom of the pack. Clients want consultants who stay on top of new releases, and who challenge themselves with acquiring new skills and talents throughout the years. It is simply impossible to do so without being uncomfortable at times.
There may be many reasons you may feel discomfort, but it can be a rather humbling experience. It is important to realize that as a consultant, that you simply will not know everything. You may feel uncomfortable expressing sentiments to the client, such as “Let me look into this”, however, it is a mark of a mature and worthy consultant. It is also important to understand that you will not be able to do everything, and there are times you may have to tell a client “No” (more likely, negotiate towards a no.). Setting expectations and boundaries is a healthy habit that many clients not only understand, but expect from their consultants. There may also be times in which you may be the polar opposite of a key stakeholder you may have to work with on a project, and the differences in how you communicate or function can make you uncomfortable, as well. This is to be expected, and can be found in every profession. You can rise above this by keeping an open mind, and working through the project with patience. Discomfort can also remind you of the excitement or reasons you chose to work in consulting in the first place. It is crucial to not become complacent in this, but rather embrace it.
Discomfort in itself does not have to be miserable, and you can assuage those feelings by frequently reminding yourself that you are facing challenges that will help you in the long run. Whether those challenges amount to improving areas of weakness, or even discovering areas of Salesforce that you may not wish to focus on in your career moving forward, there are lessons to be learned in the growth that is actively taking place.
There are ways to embrace discomfort while consulting.
Do your best in every situation you encounter. Although you would expect this to be commonplace, it is important to not take this sentiment for granted. Doing your best does not necessarily mean you will not make mistakes, but putting forth an honest effort and tackling the problem with a positive attitude can help make the discomfort more palatable. Being able to see the opportunity in challenging yourself, and likewise, being grateful for that opportunity, is necessary for being able to recognize your growth. Clients recognize effort and will usually step up to work through whatever the issue may be, as long as they see the strides you are making, as well.
Face it head on. It is imperative to not procrastinate on work because it may make you feel uneasy. The more you accept those feelings as a part of growth and are willing to take them on, the easier it becomes to change your mindset to one that sees the greatness in doing so. You will soon find that situations in which you once found yourself distressed, may not evoke those feelings anymore. That’s not to say you will not experience discomfort going forward, but just that you have learned to handle it in a productive way.
Don’t run away. Running away from discomfort and avoiding it altogether does not help your consulting career, but only hinders it. It can diminish progress and prevent you from excelling in areas you may not be aware of just yet. This can also stunt your communication skills, as well as your ability to interact with clients in a professional or positive manner. It is crucial to identify your ability to process discomfort as an area of your professional life that may need improvement, and to follow up on the tools to help you make those changes.
Ultimately, as alone as one may feel when they experience such unpleasant feelings, they are in fact surrounded by many others who know it all too well. As a consultant, growth is a wonderful sign, and it is possible by facing your situations head on, giving your best efforts to overcome the adversity, and recognizing that growth never comes easy, but is well worth the endeavor.
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