soupornuts’ reasons to click - #7
Today I am writing the seventh installment of ‘reasons to click’. Let start with a couple of articles/posts guaranteed to get you in the right mood.
1. The Gratitude Dance – visit Debra Estep at Deb_Inside and watch the video. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on your lips and keep it there all day. I was so inspired by it that I did the Gratitude dance for my wife right in the middle of a crowded restaurant parking lot yesterday. Needless to say, she sped off pretending not to know me, but she was smiling.
2. The Art of Smiling – now that you’ve got all your smiling muscles warmed up, take a look at this great post by Tina Su on the pleasures and benefits of smiling. You can change or make someone’s day with a your smile. Unleash the power!
3. A brain-injury success story – my wife is a speech pathologist who often treats patients who have lost or have limited swallowing capabilities due to traumatic head injuries. So, when I stumbled across this story about Ryan Reitmeyer and his parent’s determination to help their son recover from a devastating boating injury, I stopped to watch the video and read the article.
It is truly amazing and encouraging to see the progress that he has made and continues to make. Never give up.
4. Click for free mamograms – regular readers know of my involvement to help breast cancer survivors, so when I learned about this site I just had to see for myself. The breast cancer site provides visitors with a big pink button to click on. By clicking on this button, you provide free mamograms for women in need. Sponsors pick up the tab.
I can’t think of any better reason to click.
5. Be productive – you know the drill, make a to-do list and then get busy doing the things on the list. Right? Scott Young posted an article on Lifehack.org that lists 15 Tips to Make Today the Day That You Finish Your To-Do List. Check it out, we can all be more productive.
Decisive action is characteristic of the entrepreneur
Employment = comfort
When you work for someone else, you develop a sense of comfort. This is primarily due to the fact that you enjoy a “buffer” zone that insulates you from the direct effects of any actions you may take.
Few, if any decisions that you make have a direct impact on the performance of the company you work for. Of course, I realize that this is a broad statement and excludes:
- rain makers
- those that work for very small businesses
- high ranking members of management
For example, when you work for someone else and you decide to “lay out of work” for a day:
- How did your absence affect business operations?
- Did production stop?
- Did deliveries stop?
- Did the price of the company’s stock rise or fall?
Performance may have been less than optimal, but production and deliveries did not stop. This is because every business has a certain amount of inefficiency built into it. As the company becomes larger, employing more and more people, the affects of your performance decreases in proportion to the number of people employed. Again, the exceptions being for those key persons stated above.
Entrepreneurs cannot afford to get comfortable
As an entrepreneur, almost every decision you make has a direct and immediate impact on your business.
1. There is no option for “laying out of work” or “taking a personal day”.
In most instances, you are the business. You are:
- the owner
- the manager
- the head of production
- the delivery guy
- the receptionist
- the sales force
- the marketing team
- the janitor
Not only is your performance vital to the state of the business, but without you at the helm, normal business operations cannot occur. Typically, entrepreneurs work long hours because:
- their business is their passion
- their success is directly related to their performance
2. You must be able to make decisions “on the fly”.
This means that you have to base your decisions on the information available “right now”, often using only your “gut” instinct. Most of the time you do not have the luxury of taking a “wait and see” approach. Therefore, each decision you make has the potential to have a huge impact on your business.
3. You cannot tolerate inefficiency, bad attitudes or poor performance.
If someone is not working out, be it an employee, supplier or contracted professional, they must be eliminated from the organization. This must be done quickly before their performance can cause a detrimental effect on the business or its reputation.
4. You must be able to cut your losses and move on.
You will make mistakes. It is the nature of the beast. You cannot have all the answers because everyone you deal with is an individual and must be dealt with on an individual and personal basis. If something or someone is not working out, quickly make the decision to confront the issue, modify it or take action to minimize its effects on your business. But if it is a problem then deal with it as quickly as possible. Problems seldom go away on their own.
5. Your business will involve interaction with other people.
You must always be on your toes to present a professional and courteous disposition. No matter what else is going on in your life, whether business or personal, you are the “image” of your business. Personality counts and lack of it will not be tolerated for long.
Entrepreneurs are on the front line of business
Entrepreneurs make the hard decisions because they don’t have any choice. Everyone within the organization affects the performance of the whole. The fewer the people involved, the greater the potential impact of the individual. If there is a problem with personnel, deal with them. And do it swiftly.
My journey for personal growth and development begins with these 6 steps
This blog (soupornuts.com) is written to inspire, motivate, educate and help you become the person you can be. I believe in goals and the power of goal setting. The first step in the journey to becoming a “new” you is to have in your mind a clear picture of the person you want to become. Without a clear picture of what you want in your mind it is like traveling down a road that divides into a number of different options. How do you choose which option to take? If you don’t have a goal, It really doesn’t matter which road you take. Does it? If we don’t know where we are going it really doesn’t make any difference which road we take to get there because they all lead to the same place – the land of lost dreams, lost hope, missed opportunity, and regret.
Today’s decisions create tomorrow’s reality
I also believe that we are the sum total of the past decisions we’ve made. All those little and not so little decisions have resulted in placing us right where we are today. The point? Change your perspective from one of passivity to activity. Make up your mind that today you have a purpose and a goal. And your goals are whatever YOU determine the goals to be. Realize that starting today you can actively determine your future by making decisions today that are in line with achieving your goals. If you can make only a small step in the direction of your goals, you have something to build on tomorrow and you begin to gain momentum.
Be easy with yourself. Here are some of my goals for today.
1. Today, I will make it a point to smile at everyone I meet.
Not a sly or seductive smile, but a “happy, How’re you doing” smile. Researchers say that one of the first things people notice when they meet another person is the presence or absence of a smile. If you smile, 99 percent of the time people will smile back. They can’t help it. Someone has to actively force themselves not to smile, when they see someone smiling at them.
A smile puts people at ease. It comforts them and is welcoming. The vast majority of the time, your smile causes the recipient to smile in response to you. The simple act of smiling causes the release of endorphins in the brain resulting in a pleasurable feeling of happiness. Smiling at someone can cause them to physically feel happy. What power.
2. Today, I will engage someone in conversation.
I’ll ask, how they are doing. An then I’ll actually take the time to pay attention and listen to their answer.
- People like to talk.
- This is my opportunity to give someone what they want.
- People need to talk.
- People want to talk to a willing and attentive listener.
Ironically, if you listen to people, you will become known as a “great conversationalist”.This will provide me with the chance to allow someone to vent their needs and emotions. Or maybe just communicate. Maybe they want my opinion, maybe they don’t. If they do ask for my thoughts, I can spread a little good news, offer a suggestion or provide them with a source of information they might find helpful.
3. Today, I am going to assist someone.
I’ll help a little old lady with her groceries or my daughter with her homework. By offering assistance, we show others that they have value to us – that we care about them. Because we value them, we want to help them.
Who can you help today? Does someone you know need a ride? Can you pick up something for your spouse on the way home from work? Do your kids need some special one-on-one time with you? Take them to the park or play in the yard. Get involved in their lives. Give them you most precious commodity – your time.
4. Today, I will embrace the opportunities that a new day presents.
Today, I have the opportunity to start fresh and handle every situation independently of every previous interaction. Today is a “do-over”. I can attempt to correct or modify my previous mistakes or learn from them what “not” to do again.
I will embrace the changes that a new day brings because all progress and growth involves change. I want change. If I am going to progress on a personal level then it stands to reason that I must change and I will start the changing process today.
5. Today, I will be thankful for all the joy and blessings that are mine.
I choose to see the good in everyone and everything. I will give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I will be appreciative of what I do have and not be upset, saddened or discontent about what I don’t have, because I realize that my happiness is determined by what is inside of me and not what I possess.
I will tell those close to me that I love them because I am not promised anymore than the present moment. I don’t want to ever regret a missed opportunity. I will hold my wife and hug my children and be eternally thankful.
6. Today, I will grow.
I will dedicate a portion of today for the purpose of expanding my mind. I will read or research a topic that interests me because I understand that “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”.
I choose not to watch television because I prefer to be in a meditative state of mind and not a vegetative one. I understand that what I allow to go into my my mind will be revealed in my thoughts, words and actions. I will experience life personally and not through the filter of broadcast media.
These are the things I will accomplish today. Each of these steps, though small and insignificant at first look, will propel me toward the person I want to become.
These are conscious decisions that I make and renew each day. For me, these simple decisions and declarations are the first steps in becoming an enlightened person, a happy person and a productive person with a great life.
The impact of a kind word
On Mother’s day of this year, my wife, my daughters, and I went in search of a digital camera. Having done a little research on our own, we had narrowed our choices down to a couple of manufacturers and models and the decision was made to make a purchase this weekend.
Questions and answers
We went to a couple of retailers who specialize in the camera trade and began to ask questions. Much to our surprise, we found the best, most knowledgeable, most helpful and friendliest representatives at Best Buy. We were so impressed with the two representatives that helped us that after we had completed our purchase, I asked to see the store manager.
I approached the store manager, introduced myself and told him how happy we were with the individuals who had assisted us in our purchasing decision. The manager thanked me, encouraged me to go online and fill out a survey and to note the names of the representatives on a submission form and then he took out his personal business card and told me to present it the next time I was in the store for a ten percent discount on any purchase.
Wow! That was not what I expected or wanted, but it made an impression with me.
Let’s eat
After leaving Best Buy, we headed over to Outback because that’s where my wife wanted to eat. The parking lot was full and people were milling around the front doors. I knew immediately we were in for a wait, I just didn’t have any idea how long it would be. I approached the matre’d and he informed me that the approximate waiting time for a table would be 70 -80 minutes. My wife noticed that there were a couple of empty tables in the bar area and we asked the matre’d about them. He said they were available on a “first come, first serve” basis. After a quick consult, we headed to one of the tables.
There was an empty beer bottle and a wet rag on the table. I quickly wiped the table down and put both the bottle and rag near the edge of the table. A few minutes later, a very harried waitress showed up and began apologizing for the dirty table and her tardiness. I said, “Stop, for just a minute.” She looked at me questioningly and I said, “we all want to wish you a happy Mother’s Day.” Her eyes lit up, her face beamed and she literally gushed appreciation.
Our service and food was excellent
To make a long story shorter, our food was excellent. Our service was quick and our waitress was very attentive. As if all this was not enough, while my wife and daughters were gone to the restroom and as I waited for our check, our waitress returned with a big bowl of ice cream, chocolate syrup, whip cream and a cherry. Gratis. Free. On the house.
I realize that desert did not represent a huge outlay to Outback, but the smiles of delight on the faces of my daughters were priceless. And to think that it all hinged on taking the time to genuinely say a few words of kindness.
Both of these instances illustrate that people appreciate being appreciated. It was a great opportunity to teach my children the power of a kind word.
Two simple ways to make huge advances in life and business
Today’s world in general and the internet specifically is all about what’s hot, new and exciting. What is the “next big thing?” Who’s on top? What’s popular? Who’s in the news? Did you Diggit or Buryit? It is exciting to not only be the first to see the latest, breaking news story, but to also be involved in it’s proliferation.
However, regardless of of popular opinion, there are some things that in and of themselves mean something. They stand alone. They do not need the seal of approval of society, popular opinion or any one else. This is my two point “hot list” of inherently valuable principles.
1. KEEP YOUR WORD
If you say that you are going to do something, then do it. And do it in a timely fashion without anyone having to remind you that you said you would do it. There is no value/principle that is more important to you personally than the trust that others place in you because they know “you’ll get it done.”
Like most trends, it’s popular to say, “I’ll get right on it”, “I’ll get in done”, “It’s a done deal”, or the classic “The check is in the mail.” But in order for your word and thus you to be valuable, your word must be carried out. It must be fulfilled. Every time. Every, single time.
This gives the people who surround you, whether in a personal, business or social setting, confidence. Confidence in you and your integrity. Confidence in you and your ability to come through – to get the job done. You become the “go to guy/gal” because “you always get the job done”, regardless of the obstacles.
When you always get the job done, people will begin to seek you and your services/abilities out. Your value increases and you can begin to demand greater compensation because “you always get it done.” This is all a result of the fact that when you say you will do something, you do it. You have created your power because you live up to your word. And take my word for it, that still means something.
2. GIVE RIGHTEOUS COMPLIMENTS
Everyone likes to feel good. Everyone wants to feel good. You have the power to fulfill this need and desire. Stop for just a moment and consider the pride you feel when someone notices your work or your effort. You step livelier. You hold your head higher. You try even harder because it feels good to be appreciated.
It is basic human nature to need to be appreciated. I have personally seen more bad work attitudes develop in industry, simply because workers did not feel appreciated, nor were they shown any appreciation by management. This is simply a bad and ignorant business practice.
The cost of a “thanks”, “nice job” or any acknowledgment of appreciation by management is minimal if anything. But the value is incalculable because you cannot put a dollar value on a good attitude. It is priceless, overlooked and can be obtained with a simple “thank you”.
Do you want to increase your bottom line? Your company’s value? Invest in saying “thanks”, “nice job” and “I appreciate your effort”. A righteous compliment is a small investment with a potentially priceless return. Use them to your advantage. Other managers will be amazed at the devotion your employees feel for you as well as the increases in productivity, efficiency and communication.
4 steps to having a “great” day
Step 1: Make the decision to have a great day!
When you get up in the morning, go into the bathroom, look at yourself in the mirror and say:
- I am having a great day!
- I am having a wonderful day!
- All of life’s circumstances benefit me.
- Everything that happens is for my benefit.
Repeat these statements as you look at yourself in the mirror.
- Say them several times each.
- Vary your speech patterns.
- Look yourself in the eye
Two things are happening right away.
- You are taking responsibility for the creation of your day and how you expect it to unfold. This act of being conscious of your role in the creation of your day transforms you from a passive observer of your life into an active participant in your life. The result is that you are now living life on your terms – “great”. You have begun creating your destiny.
- By creating this expectation, you will subconsciously make the decisions and take the actions to ensure that your expectations (a “great” day) are fulfilled. In short, you will do everything within your power (whether consciously or subconsciously) to achieve your goal of having a “great” day because “having” a great day is what you expect.
Step 2: Share your expectations with others.
You have told yourself that you are having a great day, now start showing the world how great it is. When someone asks, “how are you today?” Tell them:
- great
- fantastic
- super
- outstanding
- if it got any better, I’d have to sit on my hands to keep from clapping
What you say and how you say it has a tremendous effect on how you feel. Your body will follow the instructions that you give it.
Step 3: Greet everyone with a smile and a kind word.
This is so obvious to me. But so many people either refuse to accept their role in determining the ultimate outcome of their lives or they are so caught up in their “poor, pitiful me” lives, that they refuse to interact kindly with others. It is such a shame that most people miss out on the fact that most people’s interaction with us is based on how we act first.
- Act mad and you will get hostility in return.
- Be happy and people will be happy with you.
- Start a gossip session and people will join right in.
- Relax and others relax.
People just cannot help themselves. They will return your smile and the act of smiling makes everyone feel good. Start a conversation. Take a few minutes from your day to connect with someone.
Not only are you enjoying the “great” day that you are creating, but you are also helping someone to create and enjoy their day.
Step 4: Be aware of your thoughts.
Every action and every feeling begins as a thought in your mind. Therefore, if you can control your thoughts, then you can control your feelings, your actions and ultimately – your life.
Good thoughts give rise to pleasant feelings and conversely, bad thoughts result in bad feelings. Think about it:
- When you are thinking about enjoyable things – you are happy and physically, you feel good
- When you are having bad thoughts ( worry, sadness, etc ) – you experience stress, fatigue and you feel bad
Pay attention to how you are feeling. This is the quickest way to monitor your thoughts. If what you are feeling is not the way that you want to feel, then change what you are focusing your thoughts on.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:
While I was composing this article, I was notified that I had been included in a Priscilla Palmers’ Personal Development List. I consider this to be a great honor and invite you to visit her blog and check out all the outstanding motivational/inspirational blogs.
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4 simple ways to deliver great customer service
Whatever happened to keeping your commitments? What’s wrong with people? Don’t you realize that if you say that you are going to do something, then all logic says that there will be someone waiting for you and depending on you to perform as you have promised?
I am continually amazed with the lack of respect ( and that is what it is ) people demonstrate by not following-up and delivering as they have indicated they would. Has this practice become so commonplace that others expect this to occur and therefore overlook it?
If you are one of those people who doesn’t keep your commitments, then sooner or later there is going to be some “young gun” who comes along and realizes that what people really want is great customer service – then you are going to have to learn to hustle.
Here are a few hints:
- Don’t promise anything that you know you cannot deliver. Don’t tell me that you will email me some needed info or quotes later today and expect tomorrow to be just as good. It’s not. If I asked for them today, then I need them today – tomorrow is not the same thing. If it happens more than once, then I start looking at your competition and I will definitely shop my needs around. Don’t believe that the lowest price will keep my business – it won’t! Keeping your word will.
- If it’s important, then write it down. I forgot is not a valid excuse for not living up to your commitments. Don’t be naive enough to think that you will remember what was said – you won’t! Write it down, make notes and review them! This alone will make you more productive than the vast majority of back-slapping, “I’ll deliver the world” salesmen.
- Under-promise and over-deliver. If you tell me that you will deliver something next week and then are able to deliver this week, then I notice (and so does everyone else) and I appreciate it. In fact, I am likely to tell my friends and associates about what a great service you provide. But the opposite is also true.
- Keep your commitment to yourself. You didn’t go into business to “just get by”. You didn’t become a salesman to be average. You began with a commitment to yourself to be and do your best. If you want to be the best, then do the best. It’s really very simple. And believe me when I say that if you improve just a little, then you will have the rest of the pack beaten, easily.
I am sick and tired of empty promises. Tell me what you can do, when you can do it and then do it! That’s all that you have to do to deliver exceptional customer service.
Self questions: thought-food for a more productive day and life
Devote a few minutes each day to asking yourself these simple questions.
1. What task can I perform today, that will have the greatest positive impact on my production today?
There is always “one” task, duty, or responsibility that when completed will have the largest positive impact on your performance. It is up to you to determine what that task is and then to perform it first and quickly. We seldom do this, because this task is usually more difficult and time-consuming.
The difference between achieving greatness and remaining in mediocrity rests on your ability to determine which responsibilities are the most important and then your drive to get busy doing them.
2. How can I do a better job today?
The question is not “Can I do a better job today?”, because we all know that we can improve daily. It is up to you to determine “how” you can perform better and then “do it”.
If you are having difficulties in discovering how you can do a better job, then ask a colleague, boss or subordinate. Someone will enlighten you.
3. What can I do to motivate and encourage my fellow workers, subordinates or employees?
Is it a smile at the right time? Is it an encouraging word? Is it the offer of help? It is up to you to find the right key for the right individual or situation and then use that key to reveal that person’s potential to them.
Someone is watching you, make it worth their time – be remarkable in all that you do!
4. What special favor can I do for my customers?
People do business with people they like. Do your customers like you? Why? Do you show them that you appreciate their patronage? It is your business, if you expect it to grow, you must fertilize it. Fertilize it with special attention to those who make it a success, your customers/clients.
5. How can I increase my efficiency?
Can I combine two similar tasks? Can I delegate some of my responsibilities? Don’t be busy, be productive.
6. How can I add value to others?
Do I tell others of their worth to me and my organization? Statistics prove that people favor a kind and encouraging word more than increased pay. Employees like to know and be told that their efforts are appreciated. You can never say “thank you” too often. Do you ever get tired of hearing it?
Write these questions down and periodically go over them. Keep a running tally of how you are doing throughout the day. Over time, this process will become a habit that you will be grateful you developed.
7. What can I do today that will make me more valuable?
What will you do to promote your growth and development? Will you read and study some aspect of your business/job? Will you dig in to some completely foreign technology in hopes of diversifying your talents? Will you exercise today?
Answer some of these questions positively everyday and you will grow and develop beyond your wildest imagination!
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Your network: the vast, ignored and untapped resource
There is a great commercial on television from a wireless service provider that touts the benefits of having their network standing behind you, where-ever you go. It’s a great concept – having a large network of people, who are at your disposal, to provide you with any help for any problem that you may encounter.
The commercial appeals to all of us, because subconsciously we understand that there is indeed a vast but often ignored and overlooked source of:
- information
- talent
- help and assistance
- potential financial funding
- advice
- ideas
- contacts
…at your disposal. It is your network. It is the people that you know plus all the people they know and so forth. Read more
A manager’s success depends on his people skills
There doesn’t seem to be a clear-cut pathway to becoming a manager. I don’t think any child dreams of one day being in middle management. However, colleges and universities still offer management curricula, so someone must aspire to managing. My guess is that most managers have the position “thrust” upon them, an essential rung in the corporate ladder, with little or no choice in the matter.
In my professional career, I’ve both managed and been managed. I’ve seen some great managers and some who couldn’t manage to come in out of the rain. The quality that seems to divide these two extremes is “attitude”.
Being a great manager is no accident. It takes:
- effort
- time
- dedication
- continuing education
- a high degree of commitment to developing the skills which lead to greatness
The first step in achieving excellent or even adequate management skills is the desire to be a better manager. Recognition of the need for personal growth and the development of necessary managerial skills is paramount.
Regardless of what you may have heard or believe, very few (an infinitesimally small number of) people are natural-born leaders! It is amazing to witness the apparent arrogance of those who believe that possession of a degree or title makes them competent managers.
In any field of endeavor, excellence requires a commitment to the development of that excellence. There are no craftsmen that I know of, who believes or would dare to even joke that “I am a natural-born carpenter”, or ” I am a natural-born welder”. It just won’t happen. The humility of hard work, study and long hours of practice in their craft strip away the false bravado. It has taken them years to develop and hone their skills. Becoming an excellent manager is no less strenuous.
Managers manage people
After realizing that being an excellent manager requires diligent effort, a potential manager must decide what he is going to manage. Someone will say that because of my background, education or previous training, that “I will manage the accounting department”, or “I will manage receiving”, or “I will manage production”. The managers that think these thoughts have missed the boat and are doomed to failure, because what managers manage is people! P E O P L E ! (yes, I know that all caps is shouting on the web — it’s that important)
So, if you desire to be a manager and you recognize that managers manage people, then you are beginning to realize that only “your people” can demonstrate to others how effective your management skills are. It stands to reason then, that you must develop your people skills.
How you treat “your people” can make or break you and will directly impact your effectiveness. If you want “them” to respect you and your management philosophy, then you will have to:
- show your respect for them
- show your respect for their ideas
- show your respect for their needs
Smile and greet the “little” people, talk to them, acknowledge their existence, question their methods, explore their expertise, get to know them. Remember, you manage people not reports, not meetings and not conference calls. In most cases they will reciprocate and be more productive.
Without a doubt, the ultimate manager is the military leader who can motivate his troops and convince them to follow him into armed conflict. It is imperative then that the leader make sure that every soldier in his or her command knows of their importance to him. This leader’s success literally lives and dies with “his” people.
But in reality, doesn’t every manager’s success live or die with “his” people?
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