I asked the question “are you serious about your business?”  It seems a mute topic.  No one is in business unless they are serious about it.  After all, owning your own business, regardless of what it is, requires seriousness.  Doesn’t it?

Well, yes!  But some folks go about it as if they are not serious at all.  They fail to do the smallest important thing to create a business environment for growth.  They are slow to follow up or don’t at all.  They never say “thank you” for a new contact.  And worse of all, they don’t keep appointments and don’t respect others enough to say why!

When I was young, my parents and friends held dinner parties in our homes as a form of entertainment.  Out came the best china and silverware and the house smelled of great food for days.  One evening, my mother out did herself preparing for another couple to join them for dinner.  Everything was ready and we waited.  We waited 30 minutes - then an hour.  Finally after about 2 hours of the “no show”, my father went looking for the couple concerned that something had happened to them.  To no avail.  The china went back in the closet and the food into the fridge for leftovers the next few days.  My mother was despairing because she couldn’t imagine best friends of many years just not showing up.

Well the outcome was that one spouse had run off with another person.  It took days to learn that, but my parents were in shock.  Not just from what had happened, but because of the lack of consideration shown.  That simply wasn’t done in my young days.

It’s the same situation when we go into business for ourselves.  We leave others wondering and “high and dry” when we fail to remain credible on things so simple as saying “I can’t make it today & here’s why!”

The lack of consideration or simple courtesies gives others the impression that we’re not serious about our business.  We’re not serious about attaining our goals.  We’re not serious about putting the time and effort needed into building relationships that could lead to awesome growth down the road.

One solution for the procrastination that is part of the challenge is to keep a list of weekly “to do’s” that keep relationships growing.  Send a reminder note for a kindness done by another business-builder.  Remember birthdays and anniversaries of long-term clients and customers & send an e-card to let them know you remember.  It’s so easy to send an electronic card.  Send a business referral to a trusted friend and let them know that you’ve done so.  Reward good referral sources with a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant; spa or event.  And if you’ve not heard from a friend with whom you’re building a relationship - call and leave a message of cheer on their voice mail.

These are simple, non-time-consuming tasks that can make all the difference in the world.  They say “I’m serious about my business” in a way that nothing else can.

It’s the same ole’ story.  What we do always speaks louder than words.  When we care enough to send our very best - which is ourselves - we’ll reap positive benefits at some point.  I guarantee it!

So here’s to letting everyone in your sphere of influence know how serious you are about your business and the business of building strong relationships with a mutual payoff.

 Have an awesome day giving as much or more than you gain!

Linda, a fellow journeyor