Monday Morning Match is a quick post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.
I pruned our two birch trees out back this weekend. They were starting to creep over the neighbors fence and it’s always an easier job if you can do it before the leaves arrive. Pruning is never fun because it takes some time but the whole science behind the job is it takes away the dead or weak parts of the plant so the healthy parts can get more of the water, nutrients and sunlight. Minimize your weaknesses and maximize your strengths.
What can you start pruning in your business that might allow the blooms to pop out in these next few weeks or months? Here are a few ideas:
Emails – Do something with them, delegate the task, assignment or response to someone else or delete them. As I wrote about a few years ago, “It’s Not a Sin to Have Nothing In Your In.”
Voice Mails – All those saved voice mails on your work phone and mobile phone are there because…? Call them back, act on it or forward it to someone for good. The only reason to save voice mails might be if you still have a call on your phone from a loved one who has passed away or a positive vibe you received from a boss or friend.
Your database – I define your “database” as “anyone you have contact information for. This most likely includes many strangers such as HOA neighbors, parents of your kids sports teams and members of your church. It’s probably also filled with names of visitors to random open houses over the years or sign calls that you were certain were going to call you back. If you open up your database and see a name that immediately makes you think “Who the hell is that?”, it’s time to delete them. Too many names takes away your focus from the ones who do deserve communication.
On-Line Leads – Sure, the typical incubation period for an on-line lead is 18 months but unless you have a system to continually touch base with these people and earn “top of mind awareness” from them, I wouldn’t hold your breath that they will magically contact you out of the blue.
Apps on Your Phone – I did something so cathartic a few months ago. I eliminated all apps that didn’t fit on my home screen of my iPhone. Sure, I created folders that might have multiple apps in them but if I couldn’t justify giving up that prime real estate space on my mobile device, I couldn’t keep the app.
Your Desk – Seriously…how much crap do you need on your desk or work space? Spend some time pruning this week with a trash can and a scanner. You you can’t act on it, scan it into a file that has an “act on” date. If you can probably get it someplace else if you were to throw it away, throw it away. Get to where you can see your desk again. Just think, maybe you’ll find a commission check or a turkey sandwich buried under all that crap.
The Desktop on Your Computer – How many folders, files and presentations do you need on your desktop? Real-life shiny objects create enough distractions as it is. You don’t need self sabotage from pictures, programs and power points.
Your Car – There are not many better feelings than driving from the car wash parking lot with a clean exterior and a freshly vacuumed interior. Get they trash thrown out, the windows cleaned, floor boards vacuumed and the glove box empty.
The Junk Drawer – I’ve touch on this one before and I still feel the same way.
Finally…
Clear Your Head – Take a walk, go for a run or just meditate. Sometimes the first thing your should prune are the negative thoughts bouncing around in your own head.
Once all the clutter is gone, think how much more time and space you’ll have to build relationships, solve problems and have fun.