MoxieWorks

Do your least favorite thing - no excuses

So, yesterday I talked about having a No Excuses Life. The idea is that you show up for what needs to be done and you don't make excuses for any of it. Everyday we make lists (either in our head or on paper) and we either cross things off or we don't. The lists keep coming day after day and there are always things on the list that you don't want to do.

They vary for different people. Personally, I don't like paying bills, filing paper, or dealing with the IRS. Granted these are all things that we have to do. And I just do it. We all just do those things. (Some happily, to my amazement.) 

Everyone has a list of things they don't like doing (exercise, flossing, cooking, etc.) Make your list. What are the things that have to be done that you just don't like doing? The challenge is to just do them - don't wait, don't put them off - just do them. Do them when they need to be done.

I challenge you to pick the thing you like the least and just do it. See what it feels like to just do it and cross it off your list.

There is a level of anxiety that happens when you think about or start doing something that you don't like doing, but when it is over the response is usually, "that wasn't so bad."

The key is that it has to be something that has to be done - not something that you think you should do. That is something for another post - those pesky shoulds. Pick your thing, do it, and let me know how it was.

No Excuses Life!

Stop making excuses. I find myself in this trap often and I don't like the feeling that comes over me when I make an excuse. The remedy? Just stop making them. I am beginning to think that all there is to life is showing up. You make your own heaven and your own hell. Some people live in ways that I couldn't fathom living, but they are happy and others are in situations that continue to drive them crazy. What seems to be true everywhere is that people (me included) have a million excuses for not doing.

I don't have time.
I forgot to do that.
I was meaning to do that.

On and on, but all those excuses just add up to more nothing.

The reality is that every time I make an excuse for not doing something I am shortchanging myself and I have two real options. I can either do it or I can say I don't want to do it. Both can be difficult depending on what it is that I am supposed to be doing. Often though, if I am putting something off it is because I really don't want to do it - and wouldn't being honest about that be better than continuing to make excuses?

No, I don't want to attend a meeting where nothing gets done.

No, I don't want to meet with you and talk about something until it is dead.

No, I don't want to work on that project because it won't move anywhere.

Granted, in some situations you just HAVE to do it - and I'll talk about that more at a later date.

What I am frustrated by is my own unaccountability. That I will make excuses rather than just do something - it is as if there is some mental block to just doing what needs to be done and then stress happens because stuff piles up.

So, I propose that living a NO EXCUSES life would be easier, less stress filled, and more balanced. Things would get done, I would have integrity, and commitments would be met.

A challenge, but definitely worth considering. What is your experience with excuses?

What 3 expectations are you meeting with your customers?

Lately my husband and I have been going out to eat at a different restaurant each Thursday. So far we have visited six and the reviews are mixed. There are three things that we notice that we expect at each one: Cleanliness, Good Service, and Good Food. It is a restaurant after all - we aren't looking for anything extra special.

It made me wonder what the three things people are looking for in your business?

If you sold Gift Baskets: I would want you to be knowledgeable, have good customer service, and provide a good product

If you were an IT support company: I would want you to understand your area of expertise, have good customer service, and be price competitive

If you were a clothing store: knowledgeable, have good customer service, and provide a good product

These are all common sense, but something is lacking at many companies, stores, and restaurants. What are you doing each day to address your top three expectations from customers?

The secret is relationships - find out why.

If I had to sum my philosophy of marketing up in one word it would be: relationships. I believe that people buy/engage/connect with companies that they feel that they have a personal relationship with. It is that simple. You can have the greatest widget, but if you aren't connecting you won't sell very many of them.

Now there seems to be so many ways to connect that it can be confusing, but it is actually very simple - do things that build real relationship with real people.

What does that mean?

Well, you can send out mass emails to a bought list and hope that those people respond, but I can bet that the response will be very small - instead you could:

• Join your local chamber/networking/social group
• Start talking and listening to your vendors/neighbors/business colleagues on a regular basis
• Volunteer to help someone
• Answer questions on LinkedIn/Twitter

As you slowly start to build relationships your credibility will grow and your business will too. This isn't the fast way - but is authentic and brings results.

It really is just like your momma said, "give more than you take."

Here is a real life example: our local chamber of commerce can't figure out why the retail merchants won't purchase ads in their publication. They think it is such a great deal with great exposure for them, but to date very few are interested. When you ask the local merchants they will tell you it is because they have never been asked in person. They don't have a relationship with the chamber. If they did they might understand the value more and they would feel part of the group. And they would probably purchase the ad and get involved with the organization.

The person who wants something needs to start the relationship. BUT you have to be careful you can't go into the relationship expecting an outcome other then building the relationship. BECAUSE the other person will sense the real reason and run away faster then you can say "hello, there."

So, what are the rules to this long way of doing business?

1. Give more then you expect to get.
2. Build relationships in your community, business sector, and online.
3. Be a resource of information.
4. Don't go into a relationship expecting a sale - go expecting a relationship
5. Be authentic - share who you really are and what you really know

The secret is building relationships - now pass it on!

Sometimes you have to build the bridge yourself in small business

One of the hats I wear is as the part time executive director for a downtown network - in that role I work with national, state, local leaders and local merchants to provide marketing, design & event strategy. Basically, I am my small towns marketing lead for small business.

When you are working with such a diverse group of people "AGENDAS" are going to come up. Everyone has one. Some are more visible than others, but we all have goals, ideas and dreams that we are trying to accomplish. Sometimes those don't mesh with what another "team mate" is trying to do.

And sometimes you just don't hit it off with someone and nothing seems to go right.

Enter the pineapple.

Yes, you heard me right. The pineapple is the international symbol of hospitality and is my personal symbol of bridge building, fence mending, and working together. When I get an inkling that a team member, partner, vendor, etc isn't happy I bring them a pineapple. And I say, "this is in honor of the international symbol of hospitality and our work together".

Corny?

You bet.

But what matters to me is that the process of working together is positive - that all of our agendas can be met and that the work can get done.

So, the next time you are struggling with a member of your team think about being the one to start building the bridge and offer up a symbol - and a terrific treat - a pineapple. The smile you cause is greater than any misunderstanding.

4 tips to prevent burnout and live your dreams.

Running your own business can be completely consuming - whether you are in a traditional brick and mortar storefront or at home on your computer. There are no real boundaries for what is business and what is you time, and that can become a problem. There is more to life then business - you may KNOW that, but what are you doing to ACT on that? We all know that you can suffer burnout, but there are some simple ways to stop that in it's tracks.

1. Take good care of yourself. If you aren't healthy you can expect to burn out! Sleeping, eating right, exercising are all important factors in a live/work balance. Think of yourself as a computer, you do everything to make sure it is running in top shape. Now do the same for yourself. 

2. Start managing your time. Poor time management can lead to burnout faster then the clock can spin around it's dials. Create a realistic schedule with start times, end times, and time for you. You can't overbook or waste time on Facebook if you have a schedule made out for everyday.

3. Invest in your community. Feeling part of something larger than yourself can help you gain perspective. Get involved in your local community, church, a cause - whatever it is that you can lose your own goals for a moment and concentrate on others.

4. Ask for help. We don't, can't and shouldn't know it all and if you are like most small business people you think you should. That feeling can lead to being overwhelmed, depression, and anxiety. Ask for help, there are scores of organizations, colleagues, and workshops that can help you or teach you what you need to know. If you are already feeling a bit burned out seek help from a trusted friend, church member, or counselor - you don't have to feel that way.
   

Being your own boss and running your own business is a dream for many - don't let it become your nightmare. Learn to balance life and work, get help when you need it, and connect to others and you will, hopefully, live and work happily ever after.

7 Ways to Deal With THOSE Kinds of Days in Business

Have you ever had one of those days? You know the ones where nothing goes right. The email didn't go through, the package was delayed, the meeting didn't go well... those are just a few of the things that can go wrong.

Everyone has those kinds of days - what matters is how you handle them.

1. With integrity! You need to know what that even whent things aren't going right you can't fly off the handle at everyone around you (including your kids!) Try to slow down and realize that you are having an off day. Speak with careful thought and calm down.
2. Take a phone break. Sometimes your phone is ringing off the hook and you are interrupted a million times without getting anything done. Turn your phone on silent for 30 minutes and get something accomplished.
3. Take a walk. What they say about blowing steam by exercising is right! Moving your body instead of your mouth will probably get you into a lot less trouble and make you feel much better.
4. Talk to a trusted friend. Sometimes a little venting is just what the business doctor ordered. We have all been there and they might have a great nugget of advice or at least a kind word!
5. Make a list of what IS going right. Sometimes it is all about perspective and we just need to know that we are doing something right. Remind yourself of 5 things that are working and you are bound to feel better.
6. Remember that you can't control everything. No one likes to be told no. No one likes things to go awry. And no one likes to be out of control, but the reality is that we aren't in control of every aspect of the business landscape. We can only control what we actually do and often that is more than enough.
7. Remember that tomorrow is another day. Seriously, sometimes bad things happen in three's, but mostly things get better. You gain a different perspective by sleeping it and can look at things with fresh eyes.

So, when you are having one of those kinds of days where everything seems to be going wrong take a moment and gain some perspective - you will be glad you did.

Are you listening or are you Chicken Little?

How good are you at listening to your clients? I have been wondering lately if we are all running around like Chicken Little saying that the sky is falling are we really listening to our clients? How can we if we are all caught up in our misery over the economy?

I propose an experiment for one week - let's listen. Listen to our critics, our customers, our clients, our business partners, our mentors and even our children. Let's take it all in, the good and the bad. For one week we will take notes on what they are saying, we will hear them. We won't get defensive, we won't offer up a million new solutions, we will gather up the information.

Then after the one week we will start to make connections about what we are hearing. But let's save that till next week. This week just listen and take notes.

Help! I am wearing too many hats!

This week I got an email from a friend and entrepreneur who was feeling under the gun to do too many things at once. You know what it is like, you have to do your marketing plan, sales, customer service, and provide a great product. Not to mention accounting, office work, and running errands. Sometimes there just doesn't seem like enough hours in the day. Plus, you know that something is missing.

Let's start with the first step - planning. I know that I say this over and over, but a plan will keep you on track. If you have a plan you can easily say no to the many offers that come in that don't fit your plan for the year and yes to those that are right on target.

Your marketing plan doesn't need to be a three ring binder with 30 tabs and an index. It can be as easy as a calendar where you mark out your budget for that month, what your goals are, and three initiatives that you want to accomplish to reach your target market.

Now, for my friend I am going to work one on one with her to develop a plan to attack all the areas of her business with ease and efficiency. And for a limited time I am offering marketing plans to new customers. Contact me for details if you feel you need someone to help you focus your energy and help you get on track for 2009! - Really, you can do this.

Are you living your mission?

Last night President Obama asked Congress to keep the American people in mind when they are making their decisions - to remember that we are here to work for them and to build up America. This brings to mind the idea of living your mission.

What is your mission or vision for your company? Do you have one? Is it simple and direct. Do you want to create great service? Be the best widget maker? Provide answers to difficult questions? Be a hero to your clients? Whatever it is you need to live it every day.

Every decision needs to fit your mission.

Every action needs to fit your mission.

Every ad, direct mail piece, conversation, or sales call - this is not the time to start doing things "just because they might make a dime". This is the time to do GREAT work.

So, what is your mission? If you don't have one I recommend spending 20 minutes today making a list of what you do and how you want to do it. It is that simple. Once you have that list narrow it down to one sentence. Something that could be put on a coffee mug or banner. This is the statement that you are going to go back to time and again.

When you have your mission, make a small reminder on a post-it on your monitor, next to your phone, or where ever you need to be reminded of what you are supposed to be doing.

Live your mission and your thinking and your direction will become MUCH clearer.

I would LOVE it if you would share your mission! What is it that you do and how do you do it?