Yes, it is tough to be self employed and in business. You have to do more than ever. OK… then do it without the whining please.

If you have to work longer… do it. At least you have work to do.

If you need to improve your job skills… do it. Staying on top of your profession is a good business decision. Nobody wants you practicing on them. Get so good that everybody wants you working with them!

If you lack good communication skills… who can learn them for you? There are just some things that you have to do for yourself. So… do it. Learn about listening, asking good questions, and understanding what people intend to say. There are plenty of books and classes and mentors available. Ask around. Find out what someone you admire has done to get really good at communication… and then learn, practice and do what is required to raise your skill level.

Give up your woe is me story. Really, why inflict your sad pity party on other people?  Come up with something to be grateful for and then share that. Uplift people, don’t inflict them.

Decide to do something productive today. Make your efforts at work mean something. Do it for you. Take pride in giving your best. And then do it again tomorrow… and the next day… and the next week, month and year.

We need people to stop slacking and start making a positive contribution every day.

If we all do this… we won’t be in a recession.  We will see this economy turn around without government help… without handouts… without finger pointing… without making anybody wrong.

And it starts with you!

What can you do today that will make a positive difference at work, at home, and for someone else?

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all the negativity. It’s time to say something nice about other people, instead of attacking them. What solutions do you have to offer? Now, that would actually make a difference.

It’s time to respect each other and be accountable for what we do on a daily basis.

It’s time for a little more honest effort and a lot less whining!

Updating...

Bobby-Lo… or… Bobby-Hi.

We recently walked into a restaurant on the other side of town that we hadn’t frequented for a few months.

Bobby-Lo, the waitress, shouts loudly at us from across the room,
“So, where ya been? Haven’t seen you for awhile!”

I said, “We came for the fish fry. Are you still frying up that delicious cod?”

Bobby-Lo briskly tells us without any warmth in her voice, “they use scrod for the regular fish fry… always have… it’s gonna cost you more to get the cod.”

Let’s try this again from a standpoint of really being glad to see some past regular customers return again. What I am talking about here is some… Good Old Fashioned Make Me Feel Good That I Walked Into Your Place Of Business!!!

Ready? Here we go again…
We recently walked into a restaurant on the other side of town that we hadn’t frequented for a few months.
Bobby-Hi, the waitress, greets us with a smile so big that you could feel it all the way across the room, “It’s so good to see you again! So, where ya been? Haven’t seen you for awhile!”

I said, “We came for the fish fry. Are you still frying up that delicious cod?”

Bobby-Hi tells us with warmth in her voice, “You have good taste to choose the cod. Even though it costs just a little bit more, it is soooo worth it! What can I get you folks to drink?”

If you look closely, you will see that only a few words are different. And yes, the caring level was also different. Which waitress would you prefer to have greeted and served you?

Let’s contrast the two different approaches.
How did Bobby-Lo make you feel? Possibly like she was… just doing her job?
Did her words and facial movements seem disinterested and confrontational?
Is it even possible that it was a non-caring and kind of aggressive approach that might actually cause hungry diners to respond defensively and rethink their thoughts about coming back to eat there again?

Now, how did Bobby-Hi make you feel? Possibly like she was… enjoying her job and truly glad to see you again?
And even though you were not actually there with us, could you “feel” Bobby-Hi’s smile and excitement as she engaged us through her choice of words and facial movements that were inviting and friendly?

Does the manner in which you initially approach people on the phone or in person make a difference to the way they “hear” you and “see” you?
The answer is a resounding “yes.”

So, my suggestions and coaching… put your smile on and truly be happy that you have a customer/client to wait on. You have somebody to work with that pays you for services rendered. Whether you are driving around looking to find the right home for buyers, or bringing some good food to hungry patrons… do what you do in such a way that your clients and customers can’t wait to come back and have you do it for them again… and again!

Let’s be more aware of the things that people notice and are more judgmental about in an economy that has hit us all in the pocketbook.

Start each encounter by being more professional and personal.
Thinking ahead of time is hard work. Saying dumb stuff in the moment is easy.
The key to consistently better results is to practice your best lines and scripts so you can say your truth in an engaging and respectful way.
By knowing what you are going to say and how that could make people react, you are allowing people to “feel” that you are there to take really good care of them and help them make good decisions!

With an engaging and inviting approach in place, you will be at your best, and your clients and customers will feel comfortable and delighted with you.