One Size Does Not Fit All

Does anyone else roll their eyes when they see something that claims “One-Size-Fits-All” or “One-Size-Fits-Most?” Making that claim makes the exceptions feel even more excluded. While it may work for some products or companies, don’t assume it’s best for your business and industry.

By defining your niche, you are creating a sense of focus. Do one thing great. Don’t try to be “okay” at everything. Creating a niche and understanding it won’t limit your business or exclude people, but instead will serve you and your clients best. By providing tailored products and services that are a perfect match qualifies them for your business and qualifies your business for their solution.

Do you have aligning budgets and deliverables?

Every budget, business, product and service is unique. Not everyone has the same amount to invest. If you try to bend your estimate to fit their budget, you are undervaluing your services in the beginning. You might end up feeling resentful during the project and lead to feelings of being taken advantage of or feeling underappreciated.

Be real, be honest and have back-up plans. Create realistic expectations for everyone involved so that there are no surprise bills or delays.

Do your personalities and work styles work well together?

Depending on the situation, the time spent together and frequency of communication can really make this aspect a deal-breaker. Perhaps someone else in your business is better suited for certain clients/projects. The more you know, the better you can create the best experience possible.

If it’s not meant to be, don’t force it. Otherwise you’re hurting both yourself and the client.

Do you both value and expect the same results?

Do you both expect the same end result? Do you have a defined way to measure that result? Whether it’s how the clothing fits or how much the sales will increase, it’s important to discuss goals, action plans and proposed results.

You can’t please everyone. Everyone is unique; some people hate Walmart, some love Walmart. By creating clear expectations and defining your niche, you’re sure to have happier and more qualified customers.

The Ten-Minute Time-out

It’s been, perhaps, the longest winter we’ve seen in our lifetime. 6 months, half a year of holidays, a new year and the innocent ground hog that woke up on the wrong side of the hole.

But then we had one beautiful day.

There I was, this past Tuesday, sitting at my desk beside my co-workers, longingly staring out a window that was too small to capture the big earth. The boss came inside and said, take a ten-minute time-out and take a walk around the block, enjoy this beautiful weather. I was trying to earn a paycheck doing what I loved and my boss, Laura Wallace, just dictates we take a moment from the busyness of making a living to make a life? Unbelievable!

What kind of ethically responsible human does that kind of thing, who just encourages others to stop, take a time-out and smell the scent of deceased snow? One who took Dolly Parton’s words to heart, that’s who: Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

Brilliant violet rays seeped through my skin, making me feel all mushy inside even as I squinted against its power. 12 hours made us forget about all that discomfort of long johns and lacing up boots every. Single. Morning. The clouds didn’t just have a silver lining, so did the mud and the potholes eaten away like slugs under a bucket of salt.  Yes, when the weather radar forewarned a 50% chance of precipitation I was so high on the magic of March and spring I thought, should any showers hinder us from saluting the sun, I’ll just pull a Gene Kelley and sing in the rain. That is what dryers are for, are they not?

Maybe it’s not a hall pass from your cubicle, casual Friday, or an early dismissal but take the weekend and make it worthwhile. Make a life; make it come alive. Be a Goldilocks in a world of possibilities. Try everything until you find something that is just right.  And hold those 12 hours close. No matter where or when they happened, let your ultra violet rays resurface on the days that just need a little life.

P.S. It wasn’t long after that walk that fried ice-cream appeared on our desks. Ah, so that’s where the snow rests in peace. 

Better Health Equals a Better You

It isn’t news that better health can increase productivity. We have all been there. You look up at the clock, it is 3:00pm, and you forgot to eat lunch. You head to a vending machine or through the drive thru and grab a quick bite. The rest of the day you feel sluggish and have a hard time concentrating.

When you take care of your body, it is easier to focus on the tasks that lie before you, and to avoid temptations related to distractions. With increased motivation and a clear mind, you will be able to work more efficiently. There are several things you can do to make yourself feel better:

Get some sleep. Sleep helps your brain function better and allows you to make better decisions. You will be able to focus and be more productive.

Relax. Relaxation reduces stress, can boost your energy level, and can help you to focus. If something is frustrating at work, take a break and come back later with a fresh perspective.

Get moving. In combination with enough sleep, exercise can give you a boost of energy. Get your blood flowing first thing in the morning, and you will feel awake, energized and ready to take on the day.

You are what you eat. Your body needs the right fuel to function properly. Sometimes we fall off the wagon, eat junk for a while, and feel really tired and out of it. Add in more of the good stuff, including fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins to your diet. Good fuel makes you feel better, leading to better motivation and productivity.

Take care of your emotional health. To give your productivity an extra boost, give yourself a little extra TLC. Here are a few things you can do:

• Take a short break to read or eat something healthy

• Take a short walk to clear your mind

• Work on something else for a while

• Organize your work space

If you feel fatigued, don’t try to do a marathon. Take a break and engage in an activity that takes care of your health. Once you take care of your needs, you can go back to your tasks with more energy.