I have a confession...

I'm addicted to an online game called Bejeweled.  I rarely watch TV and as I told my family, "It's better than using drugs".  The problem is that I'm getting better.  I used to play a game and it only took a few minutes, now I can last quite a bit longer and score over a million points.  So I've decided to quit cold turkey.

Why am I telling you this?  First - I know some of you will check up on me and accountability is a big part of change.  Second - as most of you know, I can relate ANYTHING to marketing and sales.

So here it is:  Practice produces improvement.  What if I had spent the time that I played Bejeweled practicing something that would benefit my business or even me personally?  My daughter is an accomplished pianist and taught piano her last two years of high school.  I decided that I wanted her to teach me.  I took two lessons and said "this is too hard."  Now what I really meant was that it wasn't a priority time at that time to learn a new skill.  (I certainly hope I could do it if I put my mind to it!)

If you want increased success, income and stability in your work then YOU MUST PRACTICE.  Hoping won't get you there, spending money on marketing might help, but it won't work alone and sitting back wishing the phone will ring definitely won't get it to ring with new applications.  What WILL work is "working ON your business".  

For example, if you feel uncomfortable in networking situations, do it more.  Go to Chamber of Commerce events, get involved in charity organizations or other business associations.  Visit Realtor offices more often.  If you dread making database phone calls, bite the bullet and do 20 today.  Trust me, the more you do these things the easier it becomes.  Presentations are a great way to gain credibility, but you have to practice and do them often to become comfortable in that type of situation.  Consider joining a local Toastmasters organization to help you.

Whatever you struggle with should be practiced.  Then practiced again.  And again.  I have to go now and delete Bejeweled from my favorites.

Comments

[Carol]

I've been struggling with getting out there and doing my marketing. I look for stuff in the office to keep me busy so I can "justify" not going out. Thanks so much for this post! I have already put a variety of things on my calendar so I am committed to talking with Realtors, networking and gaining more visibility.

[John Henson]

I've decided to stop being glued to CNBC and reading every bit of information I can find on the Internet about our failing industry. I wasn't getting anything else done! I know we have to stay informed, but there is a limit if you want to get your marketing done. I'm out of the office today and loving it!