Motivation...Man!

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It’s that time of year-- resolution making/breaking time. For the last few weeks I’ve been writing professionally and reading personally about goal-setting and various strategies to meet aspirations, be happier, be more successful and productive in one's business and personal life.

Martha Beck, Gretchen Rubin, Inc. Magazine, Dave Kerpen, SheKnows, StatisticBrain, Health.com, Psychology Today, Huffington Post and WebMD are just a few of the authors and sources I’ve turned to. There's a lot of good advice and theories out there, but man it wears me out sometimes just thinking about how much effort I should and could put into improving myself and how to stay motivated while doing it.

Through some of my resolution reading I've learned I have a “quick start” behavior personality-- i.e. I’m not one to review the manual when I buy a new appliance and once I’ve made a decision on just about anything I jump in with both feet. True to character, I decided to see if I could short-cut my way to goal-reaching inspiration by talking to someone who tackles life and work in what seems to be a stress-free, extremely positive manner. That someone is my DH…dear husband.

Love this guy to death but turns out Sam can’t provide the quick fix philosophical help I’m looking for. When I ask him what motivates him work-wise, he answers without hesitation -- it’s the end-users, the children who benefit and enjoy the cool products he sells to their schools year in and year out.

But when I ask him what motivates him more generally he’s stumped. Truly-- he’s puzzled so I take another route-- does he ever just dread getting out of the bed some mornings to face a tough day?  If so, what does he do to overcome this feeling and face what he has in front of him? “Hmmm….nope, I just love mornings. They’re exciting. I like thinking about what the day will bring.”

Argh. Really?  Really. But he’s not perfect (nor does he think he is) and when it comes to motivational advice, he can’t seem to dish it out easily. I think this is because at his core Sam is just inherently motivated… just about all the time, just about every day about everything (except some specific home-repair projects I wish he’d jump on!)

So how can this successful, naturally motivated guy provide a slug-like human such as me with insight when it comes to work/life improvement? Honestly, I wasn’t sure at first but I decided to look at both his actions and his words to help me zap some inspiration from him.

•         Be who you are, but strive to improve (so goal-setting is worth it)
•         Treat your clients like your friends (it puts the pressure on you when things go awry, but it’s worth it in the end)
•         In business what you’re really selling is you, your reputation, your personality (remember this whether you work for yourself or someone else)
•         Show a genuine interest in people and their families and they’ll be interested in your/yours (good business is all about relationships)
•         Say what you’re going to do and do what you say… (integrity, follow-through counts)
•         Never let the weather affect a good time (so… no excuses when it comes to exercise or anything else for that matter!)
•         If you’re day isn’t going well or how you planned, divert to something else (don’t beat yourself up and have a plan B)
•         Balance work and family, you’ll never regret it (it’s the main thing retired/veteran colleagues will nearly always tell you)
•         Don’t worry about things you can’t control (i'll never be this Zen but this may be the ultimate secret to stress-control)

“You never know what’s out there or how your day might go unless you get out there and give it a shot.” 

Thanks hon-- who needs self-help gurus or research when you’re here to teach this middle-aged dog some new tricks?

Time to Clean House

Forget about Spring, now is the time to clean house.  The clutter of the holiday season can be packed away, baggage from last year can be cleared out (or at least shoved to the attic) and we all should be spending time focusing in on the blank slate that is 2013.

What have you been doing in the last year for yourself or your company that has been positive? You know, those moments when you had that extra hop in your step and you felt like you were really "on to something." Jot a few of those projects or situations down somewhere and share them with your staff over lunch this week. How can you replicate that winning feeling more often?
 
But also be sure to think about the missteps.  You know, the cobwebs and dust balls that have been floating around for just way too long. I'm talking about your dated website or company logo that needs an overhaul; the networking group you never joined; the newsletter that can't seem to get written or that certain system you fall back on that is out of date and cumbersome to utilize. That kind of stuff.
There must be someone in your organization who can assist you and and serve as chief housekeeper. This person doesn't need to actually "do" all the jobs or create all the new ideas, he or she just needs to keep things on track... kind of like the cleaning person who comes into a private home every two weeks and does that thorough once over.

This person needs to be extremely conscientious and treat the goals of your business like they are his/her own. You don't have that person? If not, then you must hire that person or be sure you are truly doing the job yourself.  No one likes a dirty house.  Messy, OK, but the dust balls have to go.  Spring will be here before we know it.  

What's Your Story?

During this holiday season I've been privileged enough to listen to a lot of people's stories. I haven't felt like sharing my own as much  as usual so I've been trying to do more listening. I've heard funny stories, tales of wisdom, stories of heartbreak, longing, hilarity and even a little witchcraft. These stories, along with a business narrative I have been writing for a client, have pushed me to reflect on just how much impact stories shape  lives, livelihoods, companies, groups and family dynamics.  I have also noticed how contagious another person's story can be and how over time, another person's story can even merge into being one's own.

It really does not matter if the storyline is fact or fiction, if you believe it to be true, tell it out loud and ruminate on it enough in your mind, it becomes its own reality. I have tales in my head that I've referred to and turned over so many times that I have been sure they are actual.  But lately I've had the time and brain space to probe deeper and question some my personal and professional stories from a different perspective. I am realizing that perhaps I can freshen up my material, give my past and future plots a few new twists and turns.

What is the story of your life, your business or organization?  Have you been telling the same ones over and over again? Perhaps writing them down, then looking at them from a different angle or sharing them with someone new might give you a new take. Writing up a few new storylines couldn't hurt either... they will serve as aspirations for the New Year.

Thank you!

The new year has started and school children are done with Winter Break. A tradition around our house around this time every year is thank you note writing.  As I see my three working away at the kitchen island thanking their generous friends and relatives it made me stop and think about how personal expressions of gratitude have really become a lost art,especially in business.

Facebook shout outs, generic holiday cards and thank you emails have become the standard way many big companies show their appreciation for their customers. Of these, the ones that are most helpful and impactful tome are the ones that offer a meaningful, instant discount on a purchase or service. This does work a little to make me feel like I am appreciated as a loyal customer.  Of course, in big business clients get taken out to lunch, millions of popcorn tins are sent and open bar holiday parties still prevail.

It makes the month of December quite more festive than the other eleven but also the volume of "thank you for your business"expressions can become a bit of a blurred jumble.  How have you thanked your clients/customers lately?  If you did it in the month of December did that message of thanks really stand out? 

Perhaps all of us should make a resolution to say thankyou to each other more often. How much loyalty could you continue to build withyour best customers and employees if you were to take the time to thankthem  individually, not just for theirbusiness or contributions but for how your partnership with them has helpedyour company grow?  Doing it mid firstquarter or mid year will make an impact. Let's put it on our calendars now.