by Kirby Hasseman
This time of year can be hectic. We hear about it all of the time. So much so, it’s a cliche’. It’s the “hustle and bustle” of the holidays. (I don’t even know what a “bustle” is). But suffice it to say, we all have a lot going on during the holidays. But most of the time this is discussed from a personal perspective. We have holiday parties to attend, gifts to give, and food to make. For many of us, though, this time of year is a busy time for business as well. The 4th quarter is when a lot of businesses make or break their year. We are running hard to keep up with orders, keep customers happy and keep cash flow rolling. All of that can create a stress that we want to escape. But let me remind you, when it comes to business, being “busy” is often the point of the exercise! As I always say, “when I am bored, I am poor.” We want the phones to be ringing. We want email requests coming in. We want the work! Right? We work all year to drive business, then we want it all to slow down! It’s human nature, I think. I talk about this concept here. We work hard to raise our game. Then when we do, we get uncomfortable. When we are uncomfortable, we want to be comfortable again. So we work to change our thermostat. Don’t fall for it. So as the holiday season gets into full swing, I want to encourage you to embrace it. There is no growth inside the comfort zone. Continue to work on the activities you know create results. If you do it over and over again, you will create a new level where you are comfortable performing. Remember, you have to make hay while the sun is shining. When it’s busy or hectic, the sun is out! Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, many people look up from their turkey filled haze and realize that we have officially entered “the last minute” for Corporate Gifts! You want to say “thank you” to your best clients and employees (to fix the appreciation gap), but you know you have to hurry! We get it. We do the same thing! So here is a quick list of “last minute” gift ideas that will leave a lasting impression!
Presidio Backpack: If you want a gift that is stylish and functional, this might be right fit for you and your team. The Presidio Backpack is vintage inspired with modern day features and it comes in denim or black. Very cool. To learn more go here.
42 Can Coleman Cooler: I love this cooler so much I wrote an entire blog about it! You can check that out here. But the fact is, this will be the only cooler you need! It’s a good size to hold all you need…and it will keep ice 36 hours. Learn more here.
12 x 18 Year At A Glance Calendar: This is simple. Functional. And we print this in house! If you want to get your contact information up all year long on your best customer’s wall…and provide them value…this might be the answer! Oh…and we also have a new 12 x 18 Calendar product that is nearly indestructible. It’s water proof and so tough to tear. This is THE product you want to have on construction sites, manufacturing, food, healthcare and more. Let us know if you need more information!
Pyramid Copper Vacuum Insulated Tumbler: This piece has a cool design, a great quality and a quick turn around time! It’s all you need in a gift for the holidays. Check out colors and details here.
Urban Peak Drinkware Gift Set: This has plenty of “wow” factor because of the great packaging and the different styles of drinkware. Oh…and did we mention you can do a really cool imprint on it? Learn more here.
So those are 5 quick ideas. Need more? We can help! But time is of the essence. Please email us here and we can help move you in the right direction! Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up to be on our VIP list here!
by Kirby Hasseman
When you start something new, there will be plenty of voices. I am not talking about the ones in your head (they are loud enough). Whether you are starting a career in sales, a new business, a new job, or a new location to chase a dream, people will have their opinions. That is totally cool. They are entitled to them. Here are a few you might have… The Cheerleader: This is the person or voice that will tell you how great you are…no matter what. These are great…and you need some of them. But too much can make you think you can’t fail. This person is a bit like sugar. It’s great to spice up the dish, but too much is not good for you! The Realist: It’s good to have one of these people in your corner. But make sure you know them for what they really are. The person who says they are a “realist” are usually a negative person in disguise. It’s good to have them to balance out your optimism. On the other hand, they can be a drag on your confidence. The Hater: These are the people that want you to fail. Though they are simple to deal with (just don’t), that’s easier said than done. But if you waste energy of them, they win. Don’t give them real estate in your head. The Faker: We all know this person. They cheer for you outwardly, but are really a hater in disguise. When dealing with this group I am reminded of the quote from Wayne Dyer. “Other peoples opinions of you are none of your business.” The Encourager: These are my favorite. They have a healthy dose of cheerleader, realist, and listener. They can be an awesome sounding board with suggestions and ideas. In addition, they can help to make you “snap out of it” when you get in a rut. They truly want them best for you. We all want more of the “encourager” in our lives…but they are hard to find. The best way to find one is to become one. We want to encourage you! A great for us to do that is for you to join our VIP list! Sign up here. We make sure you never miss a piece of content. We gather them each week and send you one email with all the content in one place. Sign up here.
by Kirby Hasseman
This time of year there is a lot of talk about “traditions.” Sometimes we lean on them and they remind us of times with family and friends. They can be powerfully positive. But often today, I tend to hear about them with the lamenting tone that comes when people complain because they are not here any more. “No one does (blank) anymore. It’s a shame.” Here’s the thing. I like (some) traditions as much as the next guy. They can remind us of positive times and warmer times. They might remind us of loved ones. That’s all good. But sometimes, traditions are just lazy. We use them as something to hide behind. 1. We do things because we have always done them.2. We use them as a reason to blame others for our own unhappiness. If you are frustrated that people are not “respecting traditions,” then I want to give you some food for thought. Traditions Began Somewhere: All traditions started somewhere. Your amazing grandmother might have created that family tradition because it was something she enjoyed to do. She might have wanted to share that with the family. But they started somewhere. They have not ALWAYS existed. Traditions Can Evolve: As times change (and they do) maybe the tradition should too. It’s great to be reminded of good times in the past. It’s not great to be chained to them. Make it fun for the next generation. You Can Start Your Own Tradition: That sweet Grandma that started an amazing family tradition all those years ago did not just start a tradition. She showed you the way. If you want to continue to honor that memory, maybe you should take the lesson…and create your own. So many times we wait for someone else to be the one to make the choice, start the line, create the memory. Don’t wait. Make your own memory. Create your own tradition. Make sure you never miss an update! You can start the tradition of getting our VIP newsletter! Sign up here.
by Kirby Hasseman
We have all been there. It might be a situation or a person, but we have all had that moment. It’s a place I like to call “At Wit’s End.” Let me paint a picture. You know you have a busy day, so you make it a point to get up early. Your alarm goes off, and you are just plain tired. But because of your full day, you drag yourself out of bed. When you head through the darkness to the kitchen to make coffee, you stub your toe on the coffee table. Then you make coffee and you sit down to get started on your computer. But the puppy hears you up and starts to bark. In order to keep him quiet, you run up to get him and take him outside. While you are outside the coffee overflows and makes a mess on the kitchen floor. While cleaning that up, the puppy makes a mess by the door (you were just out!). This series of events continues and, despite getting up early, you get nothing pro-active done for the day. You take a deep breath. It’s fine. You can just get ahead once you get to the office. But the trend continues. You get cut off in traffic. You spill your coffee on yourself on the way. You get stuck behind a train. You get a nasty email from a client. Then you get a nasty follow up email from the boss (who was copied in on the client email). The day just spirals out of control. You are “At Wit’s End.” In order to take a break you head to get some Sprite out of the fridge. You had some in there for moments like this. But you reach into the box and the Sprite is gone. Someone had helped themselves to your drinks! Naturally…you lose your mind. You yell to everyone in the office! You throw the box. You stomp, carry on and generally throw a tantrum. And all anyone in the office knows is someone took your last $.50 can of sugar water. Jeesh. What a baby. But you and I know it wasn’t the Sprite. It was a whole series of unrelated events that led you here. The Sprite was just “the last straw.” We understand the concept of “the last straw.” Most of us have used it or heard it on more than one occasion. But have you noticed, it’s always in the negative. I get it. That’s just the connotation. But have you ever considered it a different way? Let’s take sales. You have reached out to the prospect again and again. You feel like they are a great fit. They have even given you some positive feedback. But time after time, you send proposals and presentations…and nothing. You have been charming and professional. You just can’t seem to break through. Then one day, after a seemingly innocuous email, they take the next step! It wasn’t that you were more brilliant on that point of contact. It was just “the last straw.” Or how about Content? You have written that blog over and over. You work to cover interesting topics and give your specific take. You have a point of view. It’s well written. It’s targeted to a great audience. But day after day, week after week, very little action is happening. Then one day it changes. One day a blog takes off. It gets shared. It drives leads. It hits the mark. Was it that this particular blog was the best one yet? Or was it just “the last straw?” Keep showing up. Keep providing value. Keep doing your good work. You never know when this will just be “the last straw.” Make sure you never miss an update! Today might be the last straw for you. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here. We gather each piece of content and send one email, so you have them in one place. Sign up here.
