Good morning everyone,
Hopefully you have found value in the five previous posts to help you think through the customer's decision-making process. There are more details obviously to what the customer has in their head, but you know that already. Also, this is a way to think about all of your interactions with people as you are selling your ideas and yourself to people every day.
For today, I would like to talk about being thankful. Being thankful even if everything isn't going well for you and during the stress of the holidays. As I sit here on this frigid morning in the mid-west and look out at the kids watching cartoons. I am thankful for a warm house and having both of them here while enjoying the Thanksgiving Holiday. Being thankful in every situation is something I struggle with sometimes even though I am told I am usually upbeat and happy.
I encourage you to take time during this week to really analyze those things that bring joy and happiness to you as you relax during this holiday season. Enjoy the moments that come with this holiday season and especially enjoy the Thanksgiving Day feast that is upon us. I am running a 5k on Thanksgiving morning so I can feel better about the amount of food I will consume later that day :) Call it my caloric balance sheet if you will, although I'm sure I will take in more calories than expel in running. If only income was that way :)
Sometimes I struggle with enjoying the moment and taking my mind off of the to do lists. This economy is as fast as it has ever been and so are the demands. I tend to focus on the tasks mainly because that is how I am wired. So to combat that I have to make a constant checklist of my priorities to keep me in the moment with the kids. It is hard to believe that my son will be eleven this year which has flown by!
If you are like me and get caught up in the tasks that need to be done which usually end up on a sticky note on my laptop, put a line item for those important relationships that are important to you. Whether it is a small text to say hi to an old friend, a phone call with a parent, or Mario brothers on the Wii with your kids. Make sure to put them on your priority list.
One quick idea on improving your mood:
Most of the time I find my mood growing brighter when I am helping others. Serving at a soup kitchen or helping the homeless tends to give me more joy than scoring the big deal, or buying a new thing. During this holiday season think about helping others and investing in others. I bet you will reflect on that and see you are very thankful.
Sincerely,
Kevin Sidebottom
Sales And Leadership Enterprises