THE 2013 SURVIVAL KIT

The other day a friend of mine, knowing I liked unusual attention getting items, sent me what they dubbed as my survival kit for the new year. As I looked at it, I couldn't help but think that it is very appropriate for our business. Let me share what my survival kit contained. 

A toothpick--This is to remind us to pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself. When was the last time you complimented a co-worker or a cleaning technician on the great job they were doing. Our business is one where we so often spend our day taking care of or looking for the negatives that need attention. Wouldn't it be great if you spend time each day finding someone to tell them they are doing a great job? Most of them are doing a great job, you know. It just seems that we have a tendency to focus on what's wrong rather than what's right. As we start this new year, why not make a concerted effort to pick out the positives.

A rubber band--This is to remind us to always be flexible. Things may not always go exactly like we want them to, but in most cases we can work them out. Are you one of those people that is rigid in doing the procedures because "we have always done it that way". Sound familiar? Maybe the way you have always done it is the WRONG way. If you attended the ISSA/BSCAI trade show and convention last October in Chicago you learned that there are many new ways and new products to do things in 2013 and the "way we always did them" will leave your company way behind. By the way, why not make plans to attend this years show and convention in Las Vegas in November? I am sure that you will find even more products and procedures to help move your company forward in a positive way. Remember, be a rubber band and be flexible.

A band-aid---This is in the packet to remind us to heal hurt feelings, either our own or someone else's. Sometimes we get so focused on what we are trying to accomplish that we forget that we have involved others to assist us and they have feelings and we just proceed to step right on them and we become the big loser when this happens. GUILTY AS CHARGED. Being the type A personality that I am, one of the biggest problems I have always had is to concern myself with what others, who want to help me succeed, are thinking. I know where I am going and what I am doing, but forget to involve those around me. I think I have got better at it as the years have gone by, but I still have to be reminded we are a team and not a one man golfer. 

An eraser---This was sent to remind me that everyone makes mistakes. Making mistakes is part of gaining the experience we need to become better at what we do. How about yourself? Do you let others make mistakes along the way, as long as it doesn't jeopardize the organization so they can learn or do you micro manage every step they take. You will never build a quality, growing, dynamic organization if you don't let go of the reins and let people make some mistakes. The key is not to keep reminding them forever. Erase the mistakes and go on. Remember, there is no use doing well that which you should not be doing at all, and if you are intent on doing it all the only one being hurt is you. 

A mint--This was sent to remind me that I am worth a mint to my family and to my organization. A great reminder. Get yourself a bag of mints and keep them close by. A lot of people are depending on you, love you, and want to help you. Have a mint.

Bubble Gum--This was sent to remind me to stick with my game plan and that I can accomplish anything I want to accomplish. How about you? Do you have a game plan for your company? For your life? Keep some bubble gum handy on your desk and in your car and when things get a little tough, chew some gum and keep going. This may be a simple suggestion but sometimes the most simple suggestions can reap the biggest rewards. I bought some gum yesterday. 

A pencil---This was included so that I would write down on a daily basis everything I have been blessed with--family, health, friends, business, etc. There are days we think everything is in the dumper. But stop--grab that pencil and write down your blessings. I assure you they will outnumber the bad things. Get yourself a special pencil and mark it the blessings pencil and keep it in a place where you can easily see it so when you look at it you can be reminded--YOU ARE BLESSED.

A tea bag--This is for taking time each day to sit down, have a cup of tea, relax and start listing all the positive things going on in your life. List all of those blessings I mentioned in the pencil section above. As a matter of fact, why not try listing right now all of the positive things in your 
life even if you don't have a tea bag to make some hot tea. Try a soda or even a bottled water will do in a pinch. 

So...what do you think about the 2013 survival kit my friend sent me. I want to challenge you to make your own kit and use it this year. I'm betting it will make for a much better year, certainly a much better attitude. Remember, 

A TOOTHPICK TO PICK OUT THE GOOD QUALITIES IN EVERYONE

A RUBBER BAND TO REMIND YOU TO BE FLEXIBLE

A BAND-AID TO REMIND YOU TO HEAL HURT FEELINGS

AN ERASER TO ERASE THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS AND YOURSELF

A MINT TO REMIND YOU OF YOUR EXTREME VALUE TO YOUR FAMILY AN FRIENDS

BUBBLE GUM TO REMIND YOU TO STICK WITH YOUR GAME PLAN

A PENCIL TO REMIND YOU TO LIST YOUR BLESSINGS EVERY DAY

A TEA BAG TO REMIND YOU TO RELAX AND TAKE THE TIME TO GO OVER YOUR LIST OF BLESSINGS

A reminder to tune in to our weekly FREE pod casts at www.tripodcast.com for short, concise ideas to help you in your everyday life of managing your business. This is one of the blessings I have as I watch our listenership increase each week. 

Till next time.