Are meaningless distractions affecting you in a negative way? It's a constant struggle for me to stay focused on what's really important when there are so many distractions. What about you? I think it's that way for everyone regardless of the work you do. Too many times my day runs out and I haven't accomplished what I wanted to do that day.
Common distractions:
- I get an e-mail with a link. I click it, then I click again and again, next thing you know I've wasted 20 minutes on stupid stuff on the internet.
- A phone call. If possible, I answer every call that comes in. I answer requests and it takes time. Not all of the calls I receive are important but I give them all attention.
- Someone walks into my office. I completely drop everything I'm doing. I push myself away from my desk and I try to give this person my undivided attention for ever how long it takes. I think it's just common courtesy. Next thing you know, I've just had a conversation about how Miracle Grow can make tomato's huge, that has nothing to do with the bottom line.
- I can't say no. As hard as I try, I can hardly utter the word to the folks in my office. I like them all very much. I have a truck, a toolbox in the back and I enjoy helping them, even if I'm in the middle of writing a listing or doing business for a client I promised that day.
I feel it's my obligation every day to consider the fact that I have a list of clients that are doing business with me. There is also a list of possible clients that may want to do business with me. There is also a list of customers that would like for me to spend my precious time researching something for them when they have only supplied me with a first name and an e-mail address and will never do business with me. I give these clients attention also but only after I have taken care of those who are taking care of me. I call it loyalty. Do business with me and you have my undivided attention.
- We must revisit our priorities on a daily basis. Our clients who are doing business with us now deserve top priority.
- We must avoid distractions that take us away from achieving our goals. When is the last time we told our clients that they are VIP's with us?
- When is the last time we sent every listing we have a handwritten note thanking them for their business and telling them that they are a priority?
- When was the last time that we programmed a special ring tone in our cell phone for each client that has trusted us with their business? When we hear that special tone, we are alerted that this is a client, not a customer. I must answer this call now if at all possible.
The struggle will continue. Please, no one send me the video link for the Trunk Monkeys!
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