Maintaining Balance

Every once in a while we all get overwhelmed. Having just completed one of those periods I thought I might reflect.

Often becoming overwhelmed is from failing to delegate, failing to give product delivery dates that can be met, or failing to otherwise intelligently manage your workflow. You know it all has to be done tomorrow – but does it?

The best solution I have found for that panicky feeling that comes from being overwhelmed is to write a list of everything that needs to be done. Usually the list is not that daunting. Then you look at what needs to be done when and assign dates to projects. If necessary you can make a call or two to see if things can be moved around a little bit.

9 times out of 10 at this point you start feeling better. That 10th time will happen and is a part of life. Being overwhelmed the other 9 times should be avoided by staying or getting organized.

Once you are organized again find time to start doing your high value - important work instead of just your urgent low value work.

Remember to think – then act.

Asking For Help

One of the absolutely best ways to improve your business, or anything else, is to ask for help. This seems so basic that you probably ask why I would write something like this.

Let me tell you a story. A long time ago, when I had just started my first job out of school I was given a PC and a software program, Symphony.

I spent 5 hours trying to get the program to boot up. I read the manual. I banged on the computer. I did everything but ask. After five hours I went - all embarrassed that I could not get the computer to start - and admitted to my boss that his new hire apparently could not read. Instead of looking at me like I was an idiot, he laughed and stated, “I forgot to tell you that the instructions are wrong, you would never get it started without asking.”

While it took me many more years to learn to ask freely for help I now save many hours a week by asking questions.

Perhaps you might do the same?

Your 30 Second Presentation

I attended a trade show today. Have you noticed how some people can make a great and memorable impression in 30 seconds while most of us feel like we are babbling?

The key to a memorable impression is to have a statement that defines you. This definition must be short, memorable and specific. It must not have been already taken and it needs to be very focused. For instance a friend of mine has the statement that, “Technology does not create productive people. We do.” He then explains that through proper training on Word and Excel users can save 15 to 30 minutes a day. He finished by demonstrating with a real world example about a law firm that through training was able to generate thousands of dollars in additional billable hours.

Short and memorable. Make a point that can be remembered and then follow the point by an interesting story.

Can Time Stand Still
I am sure you have had the experience of going into a car or bike crash when you were driving and it seemed like time slowed down and hundredths of a second become minutes.

To a lesser extent time seems to go very slow when you are not interested in something you must do. It speeds up when you are doing something you really enjoy.

By meditating about something you need to resolve you slow time down giving yourself more time to solve the problem. When you meditate think about the problem. Think about what a great solution might be but do not become attached to that one solution. Then clear you mind and try to keep it completely clear for 15 minutes. Often the answer will appear. Once you understand the solution implementing it is easy. If the solution does not appear at that moment it usually will appear later that day.

This is a way to slow time down so you think more effectively. Try it. You will be amazed by the results.

Fish in a Pond With Fish

The first issue in sales and marketing is to fish in a pond with fish. If there are no fish, you will not catch one. While this sounds elementary it is an easy mistake to make both when fishing and selling. If you have told your story to 50 prospects and none have bought, go back and ask them detailed questions on why. If none have bought after friendly questioning, and they all have valid objections, find a new market.

For instance a friend of my who had a decorating company was convinced that her niche was going to be preparing resale homes for market. She could show you how by spending a few thousand dollars to improve a homes interior appearance you would get ten to twenty thousand dollars more in sales price. Unfortunately she picked a very strong “sellers market” to do this in. Homes that had not been painted in 10 years were selling for record prices.

She spent a lot of time logically telling prospects why they should hire her. While these reasons might be true, when homes were selling in a week, for above initial asking prices, the sellers were not willing to pay for the services.

Finally she decided to seek another niche. She is now happily decorating high end new homes to create a regal feel.