[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
Everybody wants the magic pill of success.
I’m guilty of it – download an article, listen to a podcast, read a book that promises only having to work 4 hours a week – and think, ok that can be me. If that guy or girl can do it, I surely can too. And then… same old, same old. I move on to the next article, or book… promising the next great thing.
Then, I sat down, and thought… what really is success to me?? What are the things that when I get to the end of my life, I won’t regret?? It’s loving my people well, every day. It’s being able to lay my head on the pillow at night, knowing I gave all I had in the very best way possible. It’s knowing that the things that are before me to do, I’m going all in. It’s becoming a better, more whole and healthy person every day. Money, is awesome, don’t get me wrong. I really like it. It eliminates a lot of stress, and affords you the ability to do some cool things. BUT… it’s not the end all, be all, at all. And both money, and power, are scary when they’re not coupled with humility and genuine love for others.
Given all that, I started jotting down things that matter to me, both in business and personally. Your list might be different, but my hope is that this list spurs some good thinking in you as well.
- Write a handwritten thank you note after a meeting, or in response to something special.
- Begin delegating 2-3 things a week, until you’re doing only the things that only you can do.
- Put your phone out of sight when you’re in a face to face conversation with someone.
- Know and understand your important business numbers – Average Client Revenue; Average Client Lifespan; Average Monthly Attendance; Cost Per Hour/Class/1-on-1; Revenue Per Hour/Class/1-on-1; Profit Margin; Referral Rates; Retention Rates for Membership Types (i.e., Group+Specialty or Group+1-on-1); Break-even per class (Next week’s blog post will explain all these in detail).
- Purposefully and thoughtfully encourage 2-3 different people each day.
- Take 5 deep, lung-filling breaths at least 3 times a day.
- When you’re having a bad day (and you will), try to skip without smiling. Guaranteed you won’t be able to not smile.
- If at all possible, when your phone rings, answer it. If you have to send it to voice mail, call them back as soon as possible.
- Clear all distractions off your desk. (Clean desk=Clean mind. Cluttered desk=Cluttered mind).
- Get out into your community. Grab a sandwich, a cup of coffee, buy local, etc. And when you go, engage with the people in the store!
- Respond to emails in less than 24 hours.
- Drink your body weight in water every day.
- Learn 8-10 new people’s names every week.
- Lay down on the floor with your dog/cat/kid at least once a day and pay special attention to them.
- Understand who your ideal member/client is, and market accordingly.
- You know that one thing that keeps hanging over you that you haven’t done? Do it by the end of this week.
- Put up serious boundaries with those who enjoy not taking your boundaries seriously.
- Sing out loud at least once a day. Whether you can or not, sing out loud. Sing out proud.
- Smile when writing your email responses and texts. Makes you kinder with your words.
- And, while we’re on the subject of emails, be thoughtful in your email responses. Why just give a curt reply when you can use the opportunity to be kind?
- Don’t allow yourself to get hardened by the jerks. They are out there, but so are the good ones.
- Make introductions to people who you think would really benefit from knowing each other.
- Fight the urge to be pessimistic. Positive energy makes you much more attractive.
- Make sure the important people in your life are your priority. Partner, spouse, family, kids, best friend… let them know how special they are to you, every day.
[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″]
[divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” custom_height=”30″]
Article by: Julie Weldon | 321Go Brand Ambassador/Relationship Manager
Julie’s diverse background includes being a cake designer, coaching basketball, traveling to 13 different developing countries to do volunteer work on a year long trip, working in the not-for-profit world for 10 years, starting two businesses, working as a People & Change consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers, taking a product to market (and “failing”, only to get back up and do it a second time), and working as a business coach/consultant to small businesses.
Julie has found home in beautiful Charleston, SC. She gets super fired up when helping individuals and small businesses take their success to the next level, and when she gets to hear people’s stories. In her free time, she can be found in the boat or on the beach, hanging out with her Golden Retriever, dreaming up another business idea with her partner, Stacey, or geeking out on yet another leadership book.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]