I Hate That I'm Reading This!

That's what I tell myself when I succumb to another one of these lists of the "Top 10" whatever it is or the "Last Word" on this and that. I sometimes wonder if the people who write these things actually do anything but drive content to their sites. Although, in a way that is what I'm doing to you right now. But keep reading there is a huge piece of advice at the end of this page!

"Top 10" whatever it is or the "Last Word" on this and that

Things aren't going well, the lead list you are using is going nowhere and you think "let's just troll on Linkedin for a while and drum up something," that will turn the day around. Then an hour later you have read thirty articles about how to do this and how to do that and you're no closer to accomplishing anything. To make matters worse you're that much further behind on your day.

Who are the people who post these nuggets of brilliance anyway? I know some of them are well known for being a past or present CEO, and others have made a name by being lucky enough to be chosen for some reality show. Others still are self proclaimed experts in everything from how to sell, closing the deal, being a millennial and still being sane, human resource experts, selling to people who hate you, and on and on it goes.

To be fair, sometimes I need to troll for a while and clear my mind but rarely do I ever accomplish much reading all these how to's and expert tips on whatever their commenting on today. While there are the occasional nice reminders and good advice, many of them are stale, outdated, trite, or just downright pablum being sold as if they are revolutionary.

Remember when the word "Paradigm" was all the rage? Of course you don't that was the early nineties and most of you barely could say dada. And for those who do remember dust off your Stephen Covey books and reflect on the good ole days. I still think about "sharpening my saw" when I find myself not accomplishing much...

You have all the tools you need inside of you already

I love social media and all the things it offers. Hardly a day goes by that I don't look at LinkedIn, Facebook, Hootsuite, Twitter or a whole host of other social media sites that I use for business and pleasure; however, I have found that the best method for getting anything done is doing it. Pick up the phone, make the call that has you nervous or scared. Go find that person you need to get in touch with. Stop waiting for someone to write the perfect piece that gives you all the answers.

You have all the tools you need inside of you already. If you don't you shouldn't be doing what you do. Get comfortable in your own skin, be confident, know your product, know your customer even better, stop talking when you have said enough, be of value and not a pain in the backside, and close the deal. 

Now stop reading this and go do some work!