Time Management Super Tip

Your time management tip of the day:

The dreaded to-do list...the #1 reason people seek coaching. The thing we hear the most is "I have so much to do and I never get it done and then I feel like a failure." Sound familiar?  

There are many ways to attack the list, but today we are answering the question of where you should start.  Start here: who is waiting on something from you?  

No matter how you prioritize your day, consider other people. It's a matter of respect.  When we respond to others in a timely way, we are building credibility and trust.  

Usually those tasks are the ones weighing most heavily on us, because we know our actions are directly affecting others.  

So - the next time you sit down to plan your day, start with the tasks that involve you getting back to the people who are waiting on you.  

For more info about how to optimize your time give us a shout and we'll get you working on habits that will make you productive and much happier. 

4 Ways to Make Your Social Media Top Notch

Is your Social Media helping....or hurting you?

3.8 billion people are on social media, so it's no secret that businesses worldwide use this to their advantage...and they should. 1 in 3 buyers refer to social media before making a buying decision. 

They are looking...watching...being swayed to or away from your brand based on your posts.  We can't control people's decisions, but we can control the information they are seeing that lead to those decisions.  

Four things your Social Media needs in order to be top notch:  

1. It needs to be updated. For example: you just launched your new book...congrats! The link in your bio sends people to the virtual launch party from 2 weeks ago...now people are just confused and wondering if they want to read your book on time management. Keep dates, photos, promotions and anything timely up to date. 

2. Keep that Social Media consistent...both in branding and in posting frequency.  Branding language and aesthetics should be the same no matter what type of content you're putting out there...and frequency....what's the magic number for how often you should post? I wish I could tell you, but each platform is different.  Whichever one you are focusing on, do some research for what is most appropriate for that platform.  In our blog titled "Scientific Way to Get More Sales", we discussed the science behind creating familiarity. Social media is a prime opportunity to do that. 

3. Make your social media appealing - it's a visual tool. Make it look good. Again, this comes down to branding, but there are also a bazillion services out there to help you create an eye-catching place to gift the world with all that you have to offer. 

4. Be relevant.  Speak to their hearts people...content you create should incite emotion in your viewers...offer solutions to their problems. You might have just what they need. Be sure to tell them that.  

To summarize: influence buyers to buy from your company by curating social media platforms that are updated, consistent, appealing and relevant. This is a lot...don't really know where to start? I know a guy!  

Our good friends at Stone Circle Media have helped many people just like you get their thoughts and ideas into media packages that produce.  Check out their website today: stonecirclemedia.co. Happy posting. 

A Tip for Those in Conflict

Stop plotting how you're going to cut that person out of your life.  There's a better way to handle this... a way that can save the relationship, protect your shared professional interests and build your confidence.

A very frequent issue that our coaches see is the issue of conflict.  You're trying to close a sale, but the other party is treating you like dirt, or you have a colleague who talks down to you in front of others. 

Let's start here - this is not okay. 

 It doesn't mean though, that they become dead to you. This is an opportunity for you to build, not destroy.  We have to teach people how to treat us. It is absolutely, 100% acceptable, even advantageous for you to quickly, privately, and with humility, tell this person what will be accepted and what won't be. 

Saying to someone "I understand your frustration, and I hear you. This is an important partnership and in order for it to work, there needs to be a different level of respect. Moving forward, if you speak to me that way, we'll pause the conversation until a later time.  Let's make this work." 

A lot of people think, I don't want to come across as rude...no no, this is not rude. You can do this with grace and warmth.  You'll establish yourself as someone who acts in a professional manner, and someone who really does want there to be a healthy relationship, but also making it known what is appropriate and what's not.  

Their response could lead us into 70 other blog posts, but for now let's focus on what you can control and what you will allow. Relationships are the greatest asset in business...healthy boundaries aren't just recommended, they are absolutely necessary.

Emails

Nobody wants to read your emails...they are too long.  

How many times have you sent important information, but nobody follows through or remembers it? How many times have you sent an email request that doesn't get a response?  

It's because it's too long.  

People open it, they see the novel sitting in front of them, maybe they scan for some key phrases, but your email was dead on arrival.  

Want people to read it? These three things will help: 

1. Be concise 

2. Be clear 

3. Be kind

A study done by Boomerang, looked at 40 million emails and found the emails with 50 to 150 words got the most responses. Next time you write an email, go back over it and find ways to make it shorter.  

How can you be more clear? Say what you mean.  If you want your team to start using a new program, don't say "we'd like for you to try this new program in the next few weeks."  Instead say "start using this by Friday the 17th. We look forward to hearing your feedback." 

Which leads us into kindness....people often think that if we say less it can sound cold. It can...which is why we choose our words very wisely.  

One or two words can make all the difference in the world.  Instead of "we look forward to checking on how you're doing," we say "we look forward to hearing your feedback."  

The right choice of words can take you from skeptical boss, to motivating leader.  Keep those emails concise, clear and kind and you'll get the response you're looking for.