If I gave you a list of 250 activities that would make a positive impact on your business, none of which are illegal, immortal, fattening, or would take more than a few minutes of your time, what would happen? You would look over the list and then tuck it away in a desk drawer. Why? Because 250 things are too many to take in at one time. It’s overwhelming.
Suppose I gave you a list of five activities and asked you to choose only one to do today? Would you pick one activity and do it? Of course, you would. Five is a manageable number from which to choose. And, you could surely find a few minutes in the day to do the activity you chose.
Can you create your own five-activity list and pick one thing to do each day? Sure you can. Over the course of a year, assuming two weeks for vacation, you will have implemented 250 actions to improve your business. 250 is no longer overwhelming when you break it down into manageable chunks.
Wrap up each week by identifying five things you can do the following week to help develop your business. Then, on Monday, pick one … and make sure you do it. Each day choose from the remaining activities on the list. Make it a ritual. The activities shouldn’t be complex. Simple activities can be very effective … and you’re more likely to do them.
Need some help getting started? Here are some suggestions for your lists:
• Call your top three customers to say “hello” and ask if there is anything you can do for them.
• Call three of your low-volume customers to say “hello” and ask if there is anything you can do for them.
• At the end of every conversation with a prospect or customer ask for a referral.
• Do some research on your biggest customers to identify potential opportunities and ways to better serve them.
• Sharpen your skills by role-playing a prospecting call with a colleague.
• Invest 15 minutes reading the local business journal, online business section.
• Call former customers who have dropped off the radar screen and find out what you can do for them.
With a little effort, you will be able to identify many one-a-day activities that will add stamina to your business.
