The most condescending business advice you’ve ever heard.
Hi there!
How are you? It’s so good to see you again – it’s been a while.
I had a fantastic time in Monaco, thank you very much.
But I’ve been in bed for the last two days. The combination of too-much-sun and not-enough-water will do that to you, it seems.
Ouch
So, as I was hallucinating in bed last night, trying to shiver my way to sleep, I got to thinking about why most people’s mini-businesses don’t succeed.
What is the difference that makes the difference? I thought to myself, because I liked the way it sounded.
The difference that makes the difference is indifference, I replied, because I was high on sunstroke and I liked the way that sounded even more.
But I knew it didn’t make sense. Certainly not in this context anyway.
So I pulled myself together and searched my brain for a more helpful question. If I wasn’t going to sleep, I might as well do some productive thinking.
What do people most need to help their businesses thrive?
That’s better.
I don’t think it’s more information, I replied. Most people know a few things they could be doing right now to move their business forward, get more clients and stuff.
(And if they don’t, they should click on that link for a few very simple suggestions.)
The problem is that they’re not doing them.
Bingo.
What people most need is to actually do the stuff they already know they should be doing.
Brilliant! A stroke of genius.
If there’s a Nobel Prize for the most obvious and naive piece of business advice then I’m first on the shortlist.
I went to sleep.
So, why aren’t they doing these things?
Well…
Because some of the things on that list are rather unsexy.
Because some of the things on that list are a bit scary.
And, quite frankly, they’d rather be drinking margaritas, eating biscuits in bed, or flirting with the hot teenage gardener.
One for the laaaydeees….
Not that those aren’t useful and enjoyable activities. I’m sure they are. It’s just that they aren’t going to help your business grow. And then you’re not going to be able to afford those margaritas.
I want you to have all the margaritas / pool boys / hot nannies / ice-cream (delete as appropriate) that you desire.
But first… I want you do some of those things on your list.
(NOTE: I’m well aware that I’m the only one who uses under-the-covers margarita and biscuit binges as an excuse not to follow through on tedious marketing tasks. I’m sure your excuses are much more socially acceptable and involve kids, chores and family responsibilities. Unfortunately, these things are not as funny to me so they don’t get much of a mention today. Thanks.)
So here’s what we’re going to do…
(It’s pretty cutting edge.)
What I want you to do, is to pick a few items you know you should be doing (borrow some of these, if you need.)
Then write each of these on a single day on your calendar.
And then do them on that day.
Let your calendar be your coach. It’ll tell you what to do and it tell you when to do it. You won’t even have to think about it. Just do it.
If you think this is the most obvious and condescending piece of advice you’ve ever heard, then you’re probably right.
But I can’t overemphasize the importance of getting the basics right. Most mini-businesses fail because they never really get going. The key is to start moving, and keep going.
Thanks for putting up with my nonsense today. I’ll see you tomorrow! 
JJ Jalopy.
Comment by Duane Cunningham
1 July 2009
You are a pure genius! What cutting edge advice…but guess what! Only the successful people will get off their lazy butt and do it!
Like the podcast were doing next week! Rain, hail or Hewitt winning Wimbeldon
Duane
Discover Secret Persuading Skills that Work Like Magic by Tapping Into the Psychology of the Mind with The Worlds Leading Persuasion Expert Duane Cunningham!
“Amazing Secrets Discovered Using Cutting Edge Research! Guaranteed To Put Money In Your Pockets, Melt Away Sales Resistance…And Slash Buyers Remorse Almost Overnight!”
Comment by Anthony Lemme
1 July 2009
How dare you! That is so condescending. It is funny because I just did something similar. I have a monumental to do list and have to break it up.
Anthony
http://www.anthonylemme.com
Comment by Darryl Pace
1 July 2009
JJ,
Great advice, as is always the case with your blog posts. Successful people do those things that unsuccessful people won’t do (but know they should).
Margaritas and biscuits under the covers, huh? Interesting combo.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Fitness Product Review
Comment by Coach Kalpna
1 July 2009
Simple but great advice. The fact is that your employer would expect this sort of behavior from you, and you’d do it. So why do we not do it when it’s for our own businesses?
Good post with a strong message! Looking forward to reading more!
Kalpna
Comment by Steve Chambers
2 July 2009
JJ:
Finally worked my way back to your blog, which I thoroughly enjoy and always find both insightful and informative.
Glad to hear you had fun in Monaco. I hope you won more than you lost.
Most people know what to do but simply don’t do what they know. It’s more than simple procrastination, it is a form of self-sabotage. If we want to get more done we simply need to find the time.
Steve Chambers, The Sales Expert
The Sales Eagle Solution – 6 months to dominate your market
Comment by John Ho
4 July 2009
JJ,
At least 2 gems I can resonate strongly here:
1. “What people most need is to actually do the stuff they already know they should be doing.”
2. “write each of these on a single day on your calendar. And then do them on that day.
Let your calendar be your coach. It’ll tell you what to do and it tell you when to do it. You won’t even have to think about it. Just do it.”
In real estate follow up work with prospects, this the most effective, simple & easy step!!!
John Ho
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion (WordPress Blog)
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope (Vox Blog)
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
John Ho´s last blog ..“Numerology Expert Revisit What’s In A Name From Another Angle”
Comment by JJ Jalopy
4 July 2009
@Duane – You noticed! I AM a genius… Thanks.
Hewitt has no chance. You do realize?
@Anthony – Good man. Now go rock that list…
@Darryl – You’ve gotta try it man…
Comment by JJ Jalopy
4 July 2009
@CoachKalpna – Thanks!! It always makes me happy when you comment on my little blog. I know I see you in real life everyday and all… but you’re hot on my blog too!
@Steve – Hi mate. I lost a lot more than I won! Including my pride… Great points. Procrastination / self-sabotage is a very complex issue which is much more internal than it is external.
Comment by JJ Jalopy
4 July 2009
@John – Thank you my friend. Sometimes all we need is a simple reminder of what we already know!
Comment by Newport Beach, Widow Support, Bereavement Counseling, Divorce Recovery, Grief Support, Orange County, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Irvine
4 July 2009
Hi JJ,
we have to rewire our brain WITH the habit of Revenue Producing Activities. And link the HAPPY INDUCING states result to the ACTIONS we formerly did not enjoy doing.
drat
Best regards,
April Braswell
Comment by JJ Jalopy
5 July 2009
Wise words indeed @April.
This is the key… Making the profitable stuff fun!
It sounds so much more scientific when you say it though!
Comment by Lisa McLellan
14 July 2009
I think Steve is talking about me – hahahha! I am one of those people who knows what I need to do but just can’t seem to do it. But I am trying, one little step at a time.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitters and Nannies
Comment by JJ Jalopy
14 July 2009
@Lisa – That’s the way to do it! One step at a time…