Just Do It!

Many people, especially salespeople, are disgruntled. Only a few are gruntled, whatever that means. Primarily they’re interested in making more money and smiling more. Unfortunately, they believe these two areas are directly connected in that order. Many studies have determined, however, that smiling first leads to more money and not the other way around.

A majority of unhappy people would rather show their displeasure (vocally or by activity or inactivity) than do something about the situation. For some people, complaining is therapy.  Seeking solutions, in their warped world, would diminish the value of the self-ascribed therapy.  In summary, it’s easier to complain than do something about it. Talking is legitimizing.

The formula most people desire is:

Smile + $ + ZZZZ
        Time

We want to be happy, make money and sleep better. And we want to do this over an extended period of time. That’s what we want, but we don’t always know how to do it.

So how do we accomplish this? Very simply: do more. This is easy to say and remarkably easy to execute.

What does “do more” mean?

What if you made just one more phone call each day? That would amount to more than 200 additional calls per year. Would that increase sales?

What if you thanked someone personally every day? Would your reputation as a caring professional be enhanced?

What if you sent just one hand-written thank-you note each week? Would 52 people be impressed? What would impressing 52 people each year do for your reputation and sales funnel? How do you feel when you think about the last personal, handwritten note you received?

What if you spent just one more minute with customers and prospects asking them if there was anything else they needed to make their job easier? Just one minute? Would that impress them and increase sales?

What if you waited just 15 seconds to hold the door for someone? What would they think of you? What would you think if someone did that for you?

What if the time you spent watching television was spent reading? Would you learn more? Would that knowledge help you in your career?

What if the time you spent watching television was spent in a real conversation with your family? Could you ever measure the positive ROI generated by that?

What if you called a friend instead of sending an e-mail? What if you wrote a note to thank a teacher that influenced you in a positive way?

It has been said that we become that we think about. Why not think about becoming the person that is known for giving more?

Are you the first one in the office? The last to leave? Do you smile more than anyone? Do you ask for more work?

Doing more always feels good. It doesn’t always mean you’ll win. But as legendary football coach Vince Lombardi said, “The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”

Being in the present, applying ourselves to the task at hand and doing more create success. When someone comes to your office to talk, do you look at your computer? Do you check e-mail? Are you giving them attention or passing time until they leave?

This article has included 32 questions so far. Ask and honestly answer every one of them and you’re likely to identify areas for immediate improvement. Do you have the courage to address an area of deficiency? Do you possess the discipline? If you tie at least two positive reasons for doing any of these things, you’ll move closer to full gruntlement and you’ll feel great. Adios disgruntlement!

There are a few people that will read this article and begin lamenting about the times they failed to do any of these things. They will look back, realize they could have done more and feel remorse or regret. I caution you not to do that, but if you choose this path make it fast. Get over it. Only look back to learn, not regret.

So what is the best way to make more money, increase happiness and sleep better? Two words: do more.