There’s no doubt about it, we’re all
busy. We live hectic lives between work and family. Digital devices keep us
plugged in to every aspect of our own lives, our spouses, our children’s, our
co-workers and so on. It is easy to forget something sometimes with so much
going on. I get it. You get. Makes sense. So, what is Finish What You Start?
All too often sales people find
excuses when something slips through the cracks: when you forget to send the
thank you note after a meeting; the examples you were going to email took you
an extra week because you forgot; or, you gave up calling the prospect after
the fourth voicemail. Whatever the reason, there should be no excuses, and
certainly no exceptions. You must finish what you start.
Time management can be one of a sales
person’s greatest attributes or hindrances. It has been my belief for a very
long time that if you work on the philosophy of finish what you start then you
are a step closer to producing results. Let me explain.
As I mentioned above, we all live busy
lives, and can feel overwhelmed at times. That is okay. It is how you manage
your schedule, personally and professionally, that leads to results. If you
manage yourself to not put something off until tomorrow, you will get more done
today. I know, I know this makes sense, but it is easier said than done. Time
management requires daily evaluations of how you are spending your time, what
tasks are being accomplished, and making sure you check off everything on your daily to-do list before your head hits the pillow.
Clients and prospects very rarely look
at the time of when an email was sent. It is most important that the email be
in their inbox before they arrive to the office tomorrow morning. So work on it
after the kids go to bed. When you commit to sending examples to the prospect,
take your laptop into the kitchen at the office, and work through lunch.
Sales is not, nor has it ever been, a
9-5 job. Sales is a career and a lifestyle choice. You do not need to be
beholden to your position 24-7, but if you apply good time management
principals daily, you will finish what you’ve started, and you will sell more.
If you want to chat about my approach to time management, give me a call or
send me an email.