The day before simply means to take time before you end your day to plan your next day. I use a system that I learned from the story of Ivy Lee.

Ivy Lee was a consultant during the industrial revolution. He called on the CEO of a company who said “How can you help me get more done”

Ivy’s advice was before you start your day make a list of the six most important things that you had to get done. Number that list in the order of importance. Start with first item and stay with it until you can do no more on it and them move to the next item. If you only get three items done because they are the most important, you will have had a productive day. The next day, do not carry the items forward, make a new list.

Ivy Lee told the CEO to try it for a month and send him whatever he thought the idea was worth.

The next month the CEO sent Ivy Lee a check for $25,000 with a note saying that it was the most valuable idea from a business perspective that he had ever received.

Try this idea for a month, see what it does for your business and then send me a note to let me know how it works. Checks are optional

A few suggestions:

1. Choose the time that is best for you to make your list. Some people do better before they start their day, others do better the night before. I’m a night before person. I find that if I go to sleep after planning the next day on paper, it helps me sleep better. When I skip it, I find my mind keeps thinking about all I have to do the next day and my sleep suffers.

2. This is from Zig Ziglar. Make the first item on your list your most unpleasant task. If for example you have to give someone some bad news and it’s number five on your list, you’ll keep worrying about and it will effect your performance. Get the unpleasant task out of the way first and the rest of your day can only get better. As Zig Ziglar say, “The longer you look at a frog, the uglier it gets.”

3. If it works in your business, do the same for you family time, your recreation time, your hobbies and other personal items.

Now to the “The man next door”

When I was in outside says, after making a sales call. I would make it a point to call on the man next door. I would keep doing this until I ran out
of doors in that area. This had a powerful impact on my productivity.

I still use this formula but apply it to my call list. If I make a phone call. As soon as I hang up the phone I ask myself, who should I call next and keep doing it until I run out of ideas. These are not always just business calls, in fact, usually they are calls that I make to try make someone’s day a little better. A thank you, a call to tell someone how important they are to me, a call to recognize someone’s accomplishment. You get the idea. I then follow up my calls with a greeting card with note in it. Try this idea for a month and you will be amazed at the magical things that can happen in your life.

Question: Did you make your list today? If not, why not? Who’s day are you going to make better by calling them? (Try for at least 3)

I hope you found these ideas helpful. Please drop me a note and let me know how they work for you.

Question: Do you take the time to examine your true motives in your business and personal life? When was the last time you examined where you are going with your life?

Today’s Focus: Take ten minutes each day to reflect on your business and personal life and where your actions are taking you. Reassess your business and personal goals each month and redirect our efforts accordingly.

Question: Do you let your fears get in the way of the love you have for your business? Is fear preventing you from expressing the appreciation you have for your clients, friends and associates?

Today’s Focus: Make today the day that you overcome the dark clouds of fear by expressing the love and appreciation you have for your business, clients, friends, associates and the many gifts that life has given you! Start by making a list of all that you have to be grateful for, including the people who have helped make your life a fantastic journey of growth and abundance.

Question: Are you spending your time regretting the past, worrying about the future, or creating a magical NOW?

Today’s Focus: Start today to focus your thoughts and energies on what you can do today to create magical moments for yourself and others!

Earl Nightingale says “We become what we think of”

If these statements are true, and they are, why not set our sights on massive success. Why not Think Big!

High achievement always starts with a big goal, followed by action. Dreaming big and having the courage to follow your dreams is the first step to true achievement.

I once heard a motivational speaker say most of us aim at the barn do and when we miss we hit nothing. He then went on to say Shoot for the stars, even if you miss your high in the sky.

Question: Are you aiming a the barn door or shooting for the stars?

Today’s Focus: Make today the day that you Dream Big. Shoot for the stars and see where it takes you!

Question:Do I know what I want? Am I willing to ask for it? Do I believe I will get it? Am I willing to take action to get what I want? What actions can I take to achieve my goals today?

Today’s Focus: I will make today the day that I will ask for what I want, knowing that if I believe and act on that belief, my desire is assured. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, he can acheive” — Napoleon Hill

Question: Do I spend my time climbing the stairway to success or am I waiting for the elevator? Do I consistently take the steps necessary to achieve the success I deserve?

Today’s Focus: I recognize that there is no elevator to success. Success is the result of consistent action. I will take whatever steps are necessary to take me to the next level of success.

1. One that buys goods or services.

2. Informal. An individual with whom one must deal.

Most of us think of the first definition. Let me suggest that starting today you use the second: An individual with whom one must deal. If you do, then your prospects, business associates, referral sources and others in your sphere of influence are also your customers.

When you think about it, every person you meet has either bought you as a competent and caring professional, and is now a loyal supporter — a part of your expanded sales team, or a no-sale.

Developing strong relationships with this expanded group of customers can have a very positive impact on your business. Loyal relationships with these valued individuals make for a strong bottom line.

If it’s true that appreciation beats self-promotion every time, and it is, why do we spend so much time and money on marketing and so little on making others feel appreciated and important?

We tend to be driven, both financially and philosophically, to make cold calls, pursue new contacts, and acquire new customers. But often, little thought is given to nurturing the relationships that we have.

Imagine what could happen if you continuously court, interact with, and remind every person within your sphere of influence that you appreciate them.

Customers would not go racing off when competitors come calling.

Customers would provide you with an endless stream of referrals.

Friends and associates would send business your way when they run into someone who needs what you offer.

Referral partners would continuously send business your way.

Question: Do you ever call “customers” just to see how they are doing? Do you send them thank you cards or other expressions of appreciation? Do you remember their birthdays, Thanksgiving, and other important holidays? Do you send them ideas that can help them in their business or personal lives?

If not, you’re leaving a lot of business on the table and working too hard.

I hope you found this article to be informative and helpful. I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Bob Gallo
Personal Marketing Coach
Touch-Point Marketing Services©
(971) 253-2090
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Please share this article with your friends and associates.

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is to decide what you want. If you don’t know where you are going, how do you expect to get there?

Goals give you a starting place, destination and a map to follow. Make today the day that you determine what you want and set a goal to acheive it.

Question: What massive goals have you set for your life? Are you taking steps to accomplish them?

Watch what Zig Ziglar has to say about setting goals:

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