Are You a Turtle?

TURTLE  an order of reptiles that have a shell of bony plates usually covered with horny shields enclosing the trunk and into which the head, limbs, and tail usually may be withdrawn. The move at a slow, timid pace and are very rarely aggressive.

Does this describe you? Are you a turtle? Do you tend to be meek and timid? Like the turtle, do you pull up inside yourself any time you are challenged?

There is nothing wrong with being cautious, but always avoiding confrontations can hamper your success, both in business and life. Sticking your neck out, just a little, allows you to determine the facts so you can act accordingly. Hiding from reality, retreating any time your comfort zone is nudged only yields missed opportunities. The world is full of all kinds of adventures, information, and opportunity. If you are always hiding inside your shell you are guaranteed to miss out.

It may take some time and patience, as well as practice, to become more daring. Try a little at a time. At a mixer or party talk to the person alone in the corner; they are just as apprehensive as you are. See, you already have something in common. Remember, you are both at the same event so that is something else you have in common.

When all else fails, just ask yourself, “What is the worst possibly thing that can happen if I take this action? The consequences are probably tolerable so you might as well move ahead. You will probably find that reaching out is not that freaky, and can be very rewarding.

Dirty Windows

I was recently strolling thru a local shopping center window shopping. One of the shops was a pet store. I would usually go in to see the critters; this time I didn’t. The windows were very dirty. Not just a few finger prints but real dirt 5” high. It actually made the store look it wasn’t open.
That brought to mind how you present yourselves. Not your personal style, there is a lot of information available about that, but your business style. What do your current, and more importantly your future customers think when they approach your business? Is it welcoming?

The first thing a client will see is the look of the premises; are the gardens well tended, is the signage good, is the parking lot clean. The next thing is your door; if its glass is it clean, if not is the paint fresh and clean. Your lobby or reception area are next; carpets clean, plants healthy, inviting chairs, desks not too cluttered. If you are in retail your customers will want to see clean, well-lit areas, good signage, and an easy to navigate floor plan.

The response may be subliminal, but it will color your relationship. They might just decide that your lack of attention to your environment indicates will be reflected in your work.

If you have had tunnel vision about your work take a minute to look around. Try to see your space as a customer might see it. You need not invest a lot of money for your work space, but a little thought and awareness will definitely be returned in your bottom line.