by Kirby Hasseman
It’s easy somedays to say “I just don’t have time.” I was at a work event all day yesterday. I am leaving early to do manual labor today. I don’t have something pre-planned or pre-written. On a day like today it would be easy (and fair) today “I don’t have time to write a blog.” We all have days like this. But…I have time to do something. It might not be the normal length. It might not be my best work. But if it always has to be perfect, there is no way to keep it up. Sometimes “done” is better than “perfect.” So whether it’s a sales call, a piece of content, or a work out, you might still have time to do “something.” Do that. Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter today!
by Kirby Hasseman
Things go wrong. It’s unfortunate. But it’s reality. Despite a great idea, good execution and the best of intentions, there are times when things just don’t go as planned. You lost the sale. Your company failed. You let the opportunity go. Whatever. It happens. But what do you do then? I think the common reaction is to protect…to go on defense. It’s the reaction where you justify the failure and to protect your ego and your brain. This is the depressive state where you huddle up on your office, or your home, or your safe place and you avoid the outside world. This a natural and very human reaction. And for a time, it might be necessary. But it’s not productive. Once we can, the better reaction is to go on offense. This reaction attacks the problem and tries to fix it or learn from it. Lost the sale? Okay…but why? What could I have done better? Can it still be saved? What do I need to do? What can I control? When things are slow in sales, what do you do? Do you wait for the phone to ring? Or do you, like a lot of people, create “busy work” that will make it look like you are being proactive, but really keep you from being uncomfortable? I have done that. And while we are there, we can convince ourselves we are busy. But it’s not really offense. If you are at that crossroads this morning (as many of us are), it’s time to make a choice. Make a list of the things you know you need to do. This is a list of the things that make you uncomfortable…but could help you succeed. Now go do those. As Jocko Willink, former Navy Seal and author of Extreme Ownership, would say, “You have a problem….Good.” 
Things went wrong. But today is a new day. Now…go on offense. Make sure you never miss your motivation and inspiration. Sign up for our VIP Newsletter here. And as always, you can always shop online for great promotional gifts for your team here.
by Kirby Hasseman
The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast is back! Our goal here is to attack 2018 with a vengeance! The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast will provide some inspiration, motivation and education to make it happen! Consider this your 10 minute “kick in the pants” to get your week started off right!
This week on the podcast I talk about a few people that I admire. These are people who are very publicly chasing a dream that might not work. Everyone loves to celebrate the person on the stage with the award. But to get there, you have to have the courage to go for it…when it might not succeed. Here are a few people that are doing that right now…and I love it.
As I said, I admire them. If you want to admire them too…find them here.
Tyler Smilo: As I mentioned, Tyler is a musician that is originally from Coshocton. Now he travels around and plays all over. He is great. Here is his Facebook page.
Co-Lab: Here is a page that will be very interesting if you are in the Promo Industry. These two supplier companies are working together to create a better experience for distributors and customers. Learn more here.
Tanner Ward: Tanner is a fisherman (who happens to date my daughter). This past weekend he fished at the College Bassmasters National Tournament. He made the final day…by himself. Here is his facebook page. Now we need to get this boy some sponsors. 🙂
Each of these people are chasing something that might not work. That is where the magic happens. It’s the courage to step out and make it happen.
That wraps up the message from the DMJ Podcast today. Please make sure you subscribe the DMJ Podcast in iTunes, Soundcloud or wherever you listen. Oh…and make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
Win the argument. It seems like all anyone wants to do these days is “win the argument.” We all want to be right. Anyone that knows me, knows that I struggle with this. I have opinions on things (some I have even given real thought too), and feel like my perspective is the right one. I even talked a little about my need to be right here recently. The thing is, most of the time in life, it’s not about winning the argument. It’s about creating a level of influence. We want people to move in the direction we would like. It’s not about brow beating them to our way of thinking. It’s about guiding them. So here are a few ways to better influence. Never Insult Them: This is probably the biggest trend I see today. It’s most prevalent on social media, but it bleeds over. We are so sure that our perspective is the right one, we assume anyone that believes the other way is an idiot or (worse yet) evil. So we tell them so! Remember, no one finds you, or your way of thinking smarter if you call them names. Listen To Them: If you want to be heard, you first need to hear. When people feel safe to share their opinions with you, they are much more likely to let you do the same. It also gives you the ability to say “I gave you the chance to give your perspective…will you give me the same?” Validate Them: It’s important to let people know that you respect them. You may disagree, but that doesn’t make them a bad person. There is value in you letting them know that. And here’s a bonus one. Consider their perspective. If this a person you feel compelled to change…you probably respect them. If that’s the case, it might be important to consider you might be wrong. The ultimate show of respect and maturity is to admit that you are wrong. (Oh…and I talked about that here). Just a thought. Thanks for listening and considering! We are working to post value to you each day! Make sure you never miss an update or a post. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here. And as alway, you can check out products for your next promo campaign here.
by Kirby Hasseman
It is really hard to admit when you are wrong. Really hard. In almost every situation, it’s tough to swallow the pride (in whatever the decision) and say it out loud. “I was wrong.” That’s why most people try not to do it. It’s so uncomfortable that many people will cling to incorrect assumptions forever. They will work to find new, and often creative, ways to look at the information a different way to tell themselves a different story. And the longer we cling to our truth, the harder it is to abandon it. That truth could be political. That truth could be about people in your life (both good and bad). The truth could be about a project you are working on. In any event, the sooner you get to the real story, the better and happier we will be. That’s why I admire people who change their mind. This is not a weakness. It’s a strength. It takes wisdom to be hard on our own opinions. That’s why most people don’t do it. It takes courage to publicly change your mind. It takes strength to say we failed. But the sooner we can let go of things that don’t serve us, the sooner we can grow. And here’s the thing: In the moment, admitting our failure feels like a weakness. But in the eyes of those around you (at least the strong ones) it is recognized as a position of power. Good people respect a person that can admit they missed the mark. There is just one caveat, of course. You have to learn from it. No one needs someone who just runs around making the same mistakes over and over. If you were wrong, take a step back. Learn from it. Grow. Then you will find it’s easier to admit it the next time. Never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
