Blog of Professional Speaker Snowden McFall

Give Your Clients Information the Way THEY Want It

Everyone Is Different: Pay Attention to Their Needs

Do you know how your clients prefer information? I recently learned that one of my important contacts really dislikes the phone, and prefers skype or face to face meetings. That was a big surprise to me. And a little challenging since she lives on the West Coast and I am on the East Coast.

Some clients are not auditory- you can tell them things over the phone but the data is lost. (Most people are not auditory- they are visual.) Visuals prefer the written word, whether by fax or email. Some don’t want attachments other than PDF files. Some folks want reports set up in a specific way, followed by a confirming phone call.

Ask your customers and key contacts how they would most like to receive information and then change your work habits to suit THEIR needs. A recent client said she rarely checks email, so that if I send her something important, I should call so she checks her email. That was very useful to know.

Find out what works for your key clients. It can often dramatically improve communication effectiveness and ensure a smooth working relationship.

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Smart Networking: Focus on Them

Ask Questions About Their Work & Interests

When you meet someone at a networking function, the temptation is to share all your latest new products and services. That’s the wrong move. What’s much more effective is to ask a series of questions that get them talking about themselves, such as:

1. How did you get into that line of work?

2. What do you like best about it?

3. What changes have you seen in your industry?

4. Please describe your ideal client…

5. What advice would you give to someone entering this field?

6. What do you see as upcoming trends in your industry?

These questions are suggested by my friend, author Bob Burg in his book Endless Referrals. If you spend your focus on the other person, learning as much as you can about them, referring them to others, introducing them to others, you are adding value first, and becoming much more memorable than any other people “selling” at those events.

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Are You Badmouthing Yourself?

Stop Judging and Criticizing Yourself

Stressed out Woman from Fired Up! and Stress Express

One of the most destructive habits so many of us have is judging ourselves when we make a mistake and badmouthing ourselves. It’s been said we have between 40,000 and 50,000 thoughts a day and that 75-85% of those thoughts are negative. Everyone has some kind of voice that tries to hold them back. Replace that voice with positive self-talk and take action anyway, no matter what the negative voice says. When you catch yourself berating yourself, say “Stop” or “Deflect” and replace it with a positive thought or statement about yourself. Recall past successes, times when you felt valued and appreciated, were effective at work. Focus on those good thoughts and drown out the old judgmental voices, whether yours or from your childhood. You can overcome anything and be as successful as you choose.

” To discover your potential, reject the negative programming
all of us are exposed to.”
Robert Schuller

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You Do Make A Difference When You Volunteer

Plus It’s a Great Stress Reliever

One of the last things you might think of doing when you are very stressed is to take the time to help someone else. But it can truly be the best thing you can do. The value of volunteerism is that it gives you perspective, awareness of how blessed your life really is, and away from the anxiety of stress.

Volunteering:
• promotes connection and sharing
• decreases stress and depression
• improves interpersonal skills
• increases gratitude and empathy
• improves understanding of community issues
• strengthens your ability to cope
• makes you feel good about yourself and your gifts and talents

Cornell University studied the impact of environmental volunteerism on seniors, and discovered those who volunteer outside became more physically active and benefitted from being in nature. They had more energy, a greater ability to cope, and stronger emotional well-being. Younger nature volunteers had increased concentration, reduced aggression, decreased stress and improved self-esteem.

If you have not volunteered lately, there are so many groups who need your talents and ideas. Check your local listings for area non-profits and get started. You DO make a difference.

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What You Focus On You Create

Choose Wisely

From Stress Express, image of messy home office

Energy follows thought so you really want to be careful where you put your thoughts. If you are worried about paying bills and all you see in front of you is a mess and a stack of bills like those shown here, it’s hard to focus on anything else. And the problem with that is you attract more of the same.

Instead, clear off your desk, put the clutter away, put the bills in a file and focus on what you are grateful for. Focus on your health, your friends and family, your loved ones, your home, your pets. your gifts and talents. Put your attention on WHAT YOU WANT. Create a dream collage and imagine yourself living in better circumstances, being happy and able to pay your bills with ease. Shift out of the negative into the positive and then take action accordingly. It can make a huge difference in your life.

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I’ll Do it Later, & Other Reasons We Procrastinate

The Illusive Someday….

We all have things we put off, whether it’s the laundry, key tasks at work, filing, etc. And we have perfectly good reasons, like “I work better under pressure,” “I’ll get to it later,” “It’s not high priority.”

The thing is, enough of those things we have not done pile up into large incompletions, which sap your energy and pull away from what could be much more significant. Incompletions are a form of self-sabotage which can create anxiety, worry and tension.

Why do we procrastinate and what can we do? Here are three reasons and solutions….

1. Perfectionism. Let that go. As my friend Paul Evans says, “Done is better than perfect.”

2. “I work better under pressure.” Most of us don’t really, and it creates unnecessary stress. Map out 90 minutes of uninterrupted time and get the high level high leverage activity done!

3. Overwhelm. Chunk the project into small steps that you can easily tackle. Note your progress, record your successes each step of the way and the project can get done smoothly and efficiently. Learning to manage your time more effectively can have so many benefits, from greater personal satisfaction to increased income to more time with your family.

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What’s Your Peak Performance Time?

When Are You at Your Best Productivity?

Do you know your peak performance time? For most of us, it is early morning. Many people’s biorhythms drop in the afternoon, and some are night owls. Track yourself if you don’t know and pay attention to when you seem to have the greatest clarity, vitality and mental acuity. You will want to apply that to your most important priorities.

Once you do know, schedule your day like this. Block out 90 minute chunks with absolutely no interruptions to work in-depth on your highest priority. (The one with the biggest ROI for you.) That means no calls, no emails, no people coming into your space: total quiet and concentration time. Work for 90 minutes on that one priority and after 90 minutes, take a renewal break. Stretch, connect with others, drink 8 oz. of clean water, eat some nourishing food and look at nature. If you’ve been sitting at a computer, get up and gaze off long distance, to refresh your eyes. If you can, get some physical exercise, as too much sitting can be dangerous. (see earlier blog post.)

After a restful break, you’ll be refreshed and ready to tackle your next 90 minutes. Try this technique and see how your productivity soars. For more information on this concept, check out Tony Schwartz’s book, Be Excellent at Anything.

©2012 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. 
No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

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Are You Out of Time?

Time Management for Superstressed People – Part I

In this age of constant information, over scheduled lives and frenetic activity, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that you DO have control over your own time. If you’re a parent, you probably don’t feel that way, but there are definitely steps you can take to make the difference in your life and schedule.

First, as Tony Jeary writes in his book, Finding 100 Extra Minutes a Day, ask yourself “What is the greatest use of my time right now?”several times throughout the day. Make sure it is the highest leveraged, biggest ROI activity you can make it. And that does not mean necessarily a financial ROI. It could be an emotional ROI where you spend much needed time with a neglected loved one.

Prioritize your week’s schedule according to your top priorities, which have the biggest leverage. Make everything else work around those priorities, whenever possible. If you know you have to take your son to soccer practice two days a week, plan to bring your laptop or iPad and do work while waiting. Maximize your time so when he comes off the field, you can focus on him.

Get in the habit of saying no. Don’t over schedule yourself. My brother had been shuttling his son to 2-3 different sports throughout the week, taking up way to much time. They let him pick the sport and now it is down to one. My brother and his wife have much more time to tend to their priorities. You will, too, once you make decisions that support what is best for the entire family.

Part 2 on Wed.

©2012 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. 
No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

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Don’t Sit on Your Anger- Let it Go

Keeping It In Can Be Very Unhealthy

Anger can make you ill. When small children have a temper tantrum, they get it all out and are fine half and hour later. Adults tend to not be so lucky. They site and fume and let the anger build until they explode, often at a loved one. This is clearly not the way to build healthy relationships.

Your body reacts in all sorts of ways when you get angry:
• your muscles tense up
• your heart rate increases (average heart rate of 80 climbs to 180 beats per minute)
• your blood pressure soars (120/80 quickly rises to 220 over 130)
• your blood sugar drops (dangerous for diabetics or hypoglycemics)

Prolonged stress and anger can lead to many health disorders: heart attacks and stroke, memory impairment, stomachaches, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Don’t sit on your anger; defuse it.

Here are 3 ways to release it safely:
1. Write it all down and then tear up the paper into teeny pieces and flush it. Or burn it in a fireplace. This is very satisfying.

2. If you want to hit something, hit a punching bag at a gym or pound pillows. Stand with feet hip width apart and raise your hands over your head to really put the anger into the pillows.

3. Use empathy. Put yourself in the shoes of the other person and try to see from their viewpoint. Have compassion and use forgiveness to process through it. Forgiveness is always the best healing agent.

Ask yourself, what is the anger costing you? Usually, it isn’t worth it. Let it go. You’ll be healthier and happier.

©2012 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. 
No duplication or reprinting without permission and author reference

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More Vacation Days = Better Productivity

More Time Off Means Better, Happier, Healthier Workers

Did you know that if women aged 45-64 took two weeks of vacation a year, they would cut the incidence of heart attacks in half! That’s right, the simple act of going on vacation can save your life. (Boston College study)

According to Expedia, 34% of employed Americans return from vacation feeling better about their jobs and are even more productive. 53% say they come back feeling rested and rejuvenated.

At Red Frog, the CEO gives his employees unlimited time off. That’s right- unlimited time off. And it’s never abused or taken for granted. Because more time off means greater productivity. You have time to recharge and renew; creativity abounds and you return to work with a good attitude, ready to take on challenges.

In 2011, 70% did not take all their allotted vacation time. Managers: take note- this is not a good idea. Encourage your people to take all their time off, and consider giving them more. You may just find you have even greater success and better results.

 ©2012 Snowden McFall All Rights Reserved. No duplication 
or reprinting without permission and author reference

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: http://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html