Be Patient With Yourself and With Your Borrowers!

It's been frantic lately, hasn't it? Lots of re-fi's, and activity; not quite enough people on staff. People are tired, stressed and snappish.

The first rule of sales and marketing is they have to like you: Like being with you, like talking to you and come away from every encounter with you feeling better about themselves. Do your customers, clients, & borrowers feel good after they've worked with you or do you infect them with that disease called: There-aren't-enough-hours-in-the-day-leave-me-alone-or-else!

I wish I had a magic wand that would give you more hours in the day, relieve your stress, and get all of the work done for you. I don't. I can tell you what I've learned over the past 17 years of being in sales, management, and functioning as a human being: If you don't take care of yourself, no one else will.

Whenever there are too many demands on your time, your mind and your body that is exactly when you have to lighten up! Have to. Not an option. HAVE TO. I recommend a 4 step approach.

First, get some exercise. Marathon training is not required but you'll find that even a ten minute walk at lunch will have an amazing effect on your mind, body and attitude. If you can't get outside, go up and down a few flights of stairs. Get that blood moving! If you've been sitting all day, the blood has settled in your nether regions and there is none left in your brain! Not good. Stir it up!

Part 2. Get organized. Keep a small notebook with you at all times and WRITE DOWN all those things that have to be done. Yes, everything. Personal, professional and anything else! (Even a reminder to pick up suit at the dry-cleaner!) And draw a line through them as they are finished. You'll have a concrete record of what you've done and nothing will fall through the cracks.

Part 3. Get up 10 minutes earlier so that you have time to ease into your day. An extra cup of coffee and a visit with a book, a newspaper or that special someone makes the whole day easier.

Part 4. Be patient with others and yourself! Remember: Everyone is doing the best he/she can with what is available to work with right now. Don't take it personally! And hang in there!

Reprinted with permission.
Copyrights 1992-2006 Linda Brakeall