Why I Quit Being an Insurance Agent and Found a Better Life

I quit being an insurance agent because I realized the commission-based structure was unsustainable for me. The constant pressure to meet sales targets and the limited time for actual client interaction took a toll on my mental and physical health.

Long hours and weekend work were the norm, leaving me with little time for my family and friends. According to the article, I was working over 60 hours a week, which is not a healthy or sustainable lifestyle.

The commission-based structure also meant that my income was unpredictable and often inconsistent. I remember months where I barely made ends meet, and others where I had to work twice as hard to make up for it. This stress and uncertainty were not worth the job.

I was also unhappy with the limited opportunities for growth and advancement in the industry. The article notes that I had been in the business for over 10 years, but my salary and job responsibilities had not changed much. It was clear that I was stuck in a dead-end job.

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I quit being an insurance agent due to the steep learning curve it required. Life insurance has a much bigger learning curve than I expected.

The responsibilities of being an agent were overwhelming, especially when combined with my existing business. I don't really think I had the time and mental space to take on that responsibility in addition to my writing business.

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The smaller insurance policies, those that pay out $50 to $100 per month, are just not enough to make a career out of.

Unless you have a stable financial support system, most people have to get into life insurance on the side of a full-time job.

Being a life insurance agent comes with a steep learning curve, much steeper than I expected. It requires a significant amount of time and mental space to master.

The constant hustle mentality, endless networking, and sales pressure are a burden not everyone can bear. These demands can be overwhelming and may not be suitable for those who prefer a more relaxed work environment.

I had to admit that I didn't have the time and mental space to take on the responsibility of being a life insurance agent in addition to my writing business.

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Being a life insurance agent can be overwhelming, especially when you're new to the industry. The learning curve is much bigger than expected.

I remember feeling like I didn't have the time and mental space to take on the responsibility of being a life insurance agent, in addition to running a writing business. This was a major challenge for me.

You might be dealing with a manager who's more interested in selling insurance plans than in helping you succeed. Let's face it, selling lots of plans is no guarantee of being a good manager.

A bad manager can make your job much harder than it needs to be. You might feel like you're constantly walking on eggshells, trying not to get on their bad side.

Your boss might not be the most effective leader, and that's okay. You can still learn from their strengths and weaknesses. But if they're not willing to listen to your ideas or help you grow, it's time to reevaluate your situation.

Being a good manager is not the same as being a good salesperson. While selling lots of plans certainly factors into an agent's success, those traits don't always translate into being good at managing and teaching others.

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Cold calling can be a daunting task, especially for those who don't enjoy sales or interacting with strangers. It's not for everyone, and that's okay.

As an example, the author had a bad experience working at a call center, which led them to prioritize their mental health. They had to walk out of the job to protect their well-being.

Prospecting for potential clients can feel like an invasion of personal space, especially for introverts. It's challenging to turn everyday activities like going to the store into opportunities to meet new people and sell life insurance.

I didn't want to build a team, but the pressure to do so was strong. The pressure to build a team paired with also having to find clients to sell to was strong.

Not everyone is cut out for team-building, and that's okay. I like working remotely and mainly alone.

Recruiting team members can be a challenging task, especially when it feels forced. My husband and I bought a house shortly after I got licensed and my upline team convinced me to try to recruit some of our housewarming guests to join the company under me.

Some people may feel uncomfortable with the idea of recruiting others, and that's a valid feeling. I hated every moment of the presentation and just wanted to enjoy our party.

Explore further: Insurance Agent Recruiting Script

I started to feel a creeping sense of doubt about the industry's ethics, as I read about the manipulation of policyholders in the "Manipulating Policyholders" section. The constant pressure to meet sales targets and the lack of transparency in the industry's dealings made me question whether I was truly helping people or just making a profit.

The statistics on customer complaints and policy cancellations in the "High Customer Complaints" section only added to my concerns. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was contributing to a system that prioritized profits over people.

As I delved deeper into the industry's problems, I realized that I had been ignoring some major red flags, including the lack of regulation and the prevalence of deceptive sales practices, as detailed in the "Lack of Regulation" section. This ignorance had been a major contributor to my doubts and uncertainty.

Low Motivation can be a major obstacle, especially in a challenging industry like insurance. To be a thriving insurance agent, you have to want to succeed.

Failure to work hard is one of the top reasons people in this industry want to call it quits. You can expect to get out of this job as much as you put in.

Daily opportunities to change clients' lives can be a huge motivator. You can find joy in making a positive impact on them and their future.

Partnering with a top FMO like Ritter Insurance Marketing can provide additional motivation through sales incentives. Programs like Quest for Cash reward agents for their Med Supp sales.

Working with an FMO can offer the guidance and support you need to succeed. You can make your own hours and be your own boss as an independent agent.

The pressure to perform is suffocating, especially when guilt and shame are used as motivators.

The company I was involved with would make you feel like you weren't hustling hard enough to succeed if you didn't attend every single meeting.

People who excelled in recruiting received praise, while the rest of us were scolded for not putting in enough effort.

The constant pressure to perform and recruit people was overwhelming, making it feel like there was no other way to achieve success.

If you're feeling like you're not meeting expectations, remember that it's okay to prioritize your well-being and spend time with loved ones.

The company's toxic hustle culture made me realize that success shouldn't come at the cost of our mental and emotional health.