Those who keep an eye on the blog are familiar with Cainan by now. In February, he got it done again, becoming seller of the month again. Thanks for your level of commitment, Cainan.

This time, we focus less on the sales techniques he employs, and get to know him better on a personal level. 

What was your life like before you worked at GRS?

• My life used to be very chaotic, there wasn't much structure in it... I didn't get much satisfaction from my job, it wasn't always pleasant, I didn't go to work with much pleasure....

• I've had several jobs: at the port, in construction, transporting medicine, etc. I studied construction because I wanted to get a degree, but then you stand on a scaffold in the rain... That's really no fun.

By working at GRS...

• Have I become mentally stronger. On a daily basis, I fight the little voice in my head. If you are sick for a day and sell less for a few days... then you quickly get inside your head.
  
• Gilles therefore puts a very strong emphasis on how important it is to do state management. You learn to put all the day-to-day shit aside for a while so you can bang and be present with clients.

• I learned to be consistent. When you have a good month, it might be tempting to chill out a bit longer. You learn to keep going at those times too so that you keep getting consistent results.

• You also see the importance of the team. Everyone has an individual target. It's nice if you achieve your own target, but if the other team members don't and you don't achieve the joint target... Then, of course, the atmosphere isn't so nice.
  
• It is always more fun to win as a team than alone. From the team, you can create more for others. You attract more partners to the venture and so more opportunities arise.
  
• A lot is also invested in the team with e.g. team building, education, training, etc. You get a lot back for the energy you put in. For instance, my figures doubled after a two-day Straight-Line course in Tilburg. It's not just about selling a styrofoam, it's much more than that. 

• To the outside world, it may sometimes look superficial, but there is so much substance in sales. It's not just about rolexes and champagne.
  
• By that I mean I used to run on "default factory settings" every day. But here you become smarter and more powerful because sales can be applied in all aspects of your life.

• You learn to sell yourself which might make you meet a friend, but you also make a better impression when you go looking for a new home, etc.

• Your life is drastically changed. People get more value out of you. So it is not only great for yourself, but also for the people around you. 

How did you end up at GRS?
And what were your first weeks like?

• Right from the start, the first week even, I noticed that I went out here better than I came in. The people around me also noticed that difference very quickly.
  
• In the beginning, you have to call for appointments yourself and that takes a lot of time and energy. It's not like you're going to make a lot of money from the first month. But I thought even if I don't earn a euro, I can't really lose money - because you grow and develop so much as a person.
  
• For me, it was a revelation when I realised that everything is sales. Before, I didn't dwell on many things because I was in the grind of 9-5.
  
• E.g. the way you talk to people. If you deal with everything that goes on in the back of your mind consciously, you decide how everything turns out. It's almost like a video game; you create your own avatar and choose who to be in certain situations. Within the team, we learn from each other, everyone calls each other, coaches each other, we give real feedback instead of pleasing because that doesn't help. Gilles attaches importance to confronting each other head on.

How did your surroundings react?

• In the beginning, they were very sceptical... Especially since things haven't always gone smoothly in the past.
  
• My environment wanted to keep me in my comfort zone.

What did you have to sacrifice?

• Now I put a lot aside, playtime is over.

An average day in my life looks like this

• My life consists mainly of work and sports.

What does your life look like now?

• My days look more structured. I have more willpower and drive because I really want to achieve something.
  
• Now I have a purpose in my life. Whereas I used to think "I'll see it all...".
  
• As a result, I experience more peace. The stress I experience now is positive stress - because I am effectively achieving things.
  
• Sometimes you don't feel like running that 8pm appointment, but those are often the appointments you get the most out of.
  
• My biggest drive is my mum and granddad. They are from Ireland but live in Belgium so I try to go there every year for Christmas and New Year. This job makes it possible to finance all that. I do the job not only for myself but also for my family because it allows me to give back more. That's the biggest drive. 

• My grandfather is one of my best friends, he said I should develop more discipline. He often said, "What are you actually doing?"
  
• Now they are really proud of me because I arrange shit, because they can lean on me.
  
• A bottle of champagne, a rolex, a fat car, etc. that's all very nice. But that my family can and does lean on me, that I can give back to mum... That's my why, that's why I do it every day. I commit to myself, the team, to Gilles, my family... 

What have you done to become seller of the month several times already?

• The reason I managed to become a winner again is because I start from 0 every month. I stay consistent and don't lie back in the seat. I could go on holiday, but I want to keep creating more and more.

• I also really believe in what we offer to people. The most important thing is trust towards people, this is my way of working. People buy from people, they don't just buy a product.
  
• Even if you have really gone through shit so to speak, that can play to your advantage. Because that means you can empathise with the different situations of the people you go over.
  
• If you are someone who has always had it good and you come to someone less fortunate, it is difficult to empathise with them. You have to be able to empathise with people's situation.

• If you focus on just the commission and the money, people feel that. Then you are not going to succeed in selling. But the people I go by see and feel that I genuinely enjoy doing it.

So you see, it does not matter where you come from or what background you have... As long as you are willing to go for it, anything is possible.