June 2020
I need a "S L O W D O W N" Coach!
I don't know how or where I acquired the vile habit of interrupting, but I'm on a mission to correct it!" So I sought a quiet moment when I could go slow and think (ya got it yet?), and I created a list of behaviors to enact that will help me be a better strategic thinker. Maybe these tips can help you with the big challenges and questions brought on by these "freachoachmanicaish" times:
1. Don’t interrupt. I don’t know how I acquired this vile habit, but I’m on a mission to cure it. It’s soooo ego-driven, and disrespectful. (I guess I’m just so smart and I need to show my brains to people.) Either way it’s a horrible habit and I’m going to break it. Literally, I gently bite the tip of my tongue pretty much all the time when someone else is speaking on a zoom or on that thing called a phone. (Biting the tongue gets a bit old later in the day as my tongue swells, so I merely refer to the post-it above my laptop urging me to NOT INTERRUPT.) 2. Less is more. Generally, I’m taking the Keanu Reeves approach and trying to speak less…at this point of my career, I’m beyond boring myself. Odds are, I’m boring others too. I’m critically appraising my words before I speak to decide how much value is there. I literally ask myself, “do I need to respond to that?” And, “say it, get out, don’t repeat”. I am trying the count to two seconds approach before I reply or speak. (Three seconds feels like an eternity…baby steps!). 3. Technology breaks: I’m going out to my backyard more and staring at trees at least three times a day. Even if the breaks are only 5-10 minutes, it clears my head and that helps my thinking! I often run back to my laptop excited with a mini-breakthrough. (Many “minis” add up, ya know!) 4. Making more phone calls. Phone calls connect me to people who inspire me and make me think…and sometimes on those calls I laugh. Laughing is a good thing. And, let’s face it, phone calls are 10x more fulfilling than emails. (…blasted emails….!) 5. Less TV/more books. Books require a commitment and dedication and no matter the subject, I always “think” more when I read books. Don’t get me wrong, I devoured “Upload” on Prime and my second time through “30 Rock” is as enjoyable as the first, but books are stimulating and I feel I’m going slower when I read them! I often have a combo of business books and fiction – and sometimes I get more ideas for my business from the fiction!! 6. Record what I learned. I’ve tossed this suggestion out to clients at least ten times in the last few weeks so I then took my own advice: at the end of each day, I record a few thoughts on my achievements of the day and what I learned. It make me feel good that I had a productive and meaningful day even though most days are a whirl-wind. Hear me out... I’m not saying c19 business challenges will all be resolved by staring at trees, I’m suggesting you will benefit from slowing down and thinking more analytically and objectively about what your selling efforts need most right now. Otherwise, you will continue to bike uphill. I would love to hear your tips on slowing down…and/or what you’ve learned during this incredibly, fantastically, bizarre few months of Covid season. But what I really want is for you to email me to set a time when you will hear how much I can help you and your business. |
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