I suck at the little things. My expense reports sit around for months stacking up until I get nasty messages from the finance department. I suck at playing politics, I’m too egalitarian. I suck at formality, I like informality. I like casual interaction and engagement. I suck at a lot of things. I’m OK with it though; because I’m good at a lot more things.

In sales, business and life in general its important to know where you suck. If you don’t, you can’t stop sucking. Being good at what you do requires self-reflection and continued personal improvement. You have to be able to look inside yourself and get real with where you are good and where you suck. You have to know who you are.

How do you self assess, by asking tough questions of yourself, and soliciting feedback from friends, peers and coaches. You have to understand your strengths, weaknesses, vices, and perspectives to be good at what you do.

Do you know who you are? Do you have clear values and belief systems, that guide you? Are you aware of what you don’t know as much as you are of what you do know? Are you empathetic? Do you listen? Are you inquisitive? Do you grow from your own experiences? Do you look for your blind spots? Are you always looking for ways to be better?

By doing these things and doing them well you find out where you suck. It is also where you find out you’re good. If you ask these questions and ask them often you will be good a lot more than you suck.