In his bestselling book, “Good to Great,” author Jim Collins mentions a simple and effective tool called the “Stop Doing List”. In this article, I would like to provide a practical way for you to get started on your own “Stop Doing List” to business people interested in ending bad business practices.
Lose the Baggage
Most everyone has friends, coworkers and even family members who aren’t going anywhere in life or in business. They aren’t accomplishing anything except for getting older, one day at a time. Perhaps these people are satisfied to be in their comfort zones, but you are not, as you hunger and desire for getting more out of life.
Start limiting the time, effort and energy you expend upon these people. I have come to the realization that people either help you or they hinder you, and if you are a person who is going somewhere, you need to be around people with whom you are like minded.
Have you ever thought about the individuals with whom you spend time and whether they are going anywhere? Answer that question and you have started creating the list of people you don’t need to be investing in.
Toss Your Junk
One of my brothers has a simple philosophy that if he has not used something in the last six months, the chances are that he doesn’t need it, so he tosses it. That strategy keeps things from piling up, even if you are a junk collector.
Some people are pack rats whose desks are covered with paper, drawers are filled with junk, and bookcases are stuffed with unread magazines, books and periodicals.
To be effective and efficient, your work area must be clean and tidy. It is a direct reflection on you, your employees and your business. When was the last time you set aside some time to clean up your office?
This doesn’t only mean your desk and work area, it refers to the entire workplace, including walls, ceilings, closets, floors, windows, doors, storage areas, computer files, filing cabinets, meeting rooms, and so forth.
Lose the Losers
Some clients are just not worth having, and you know who they are. More than likely, you can recite a list of them from memory and you probably spend too much time talking about them. They demand the highest quality, the lowest prices, the best possible service and, even when you do provide it, complain anyways.
They are unrealistic and unprofitable. To move ahead and become more profitable, you must proactively eliminate clients not worth keeping.
Use whatever tools you choose to determine who these clients are, but don’t delay. When will you do something about your problem customers? There is nothing like doing this today to make yourself and your organization feel better in a hurry.
Stop Chasing the Wind
When should you give up on a prospect? If you are like most people, you will continue to contact a buyer until you somehow come to the realization that they aren’t interested in doing business with you.
Your prospects aren’t bad people, but more often than not, the delays mean that they just can’t make a decision or they don’t want to level with you.
Very few people want to be the bearers of bad news, and this includes your prospects. As a result, most salespeople waste time on endless voice messages, e-mails, and visits, hoping that they might somehow gain the prospect’s business.
Give your prospects enough time to do what they need to do to make a decision. Until that time, stay in touch with them, providing them with the assistance and knowledge to make an informed choice.
Once you reach that point, tell them to call you when they make a decision. You will be able to stop badgering them about making a decision they have probably already made—the decision that leaves you on the outside looking in.
Stop Eating Poorly
One way to lose weight, be healthier and set an example to those around you is to stop eating fast food at lunch. By making the decision to eat healthier, you will start feeling better not only in the afternoon, but all day long. Bring a brown bag to lunch and eat more fruits and vegetables and drink more water.
Stop Doing What You Don’t Like
Too many people wake up each morning and dread going to work. Perhaps they are working in an industry that does not interest them, or they don’t enjoy the people with whom they work. Maybe the fire has gone out. If this is a description of you, then you need to consider finding another line of work.
Life is so short and fleeting that we need to wake up and look forward to what we are doing with our lives. We need to have a passion for what we are doing. We need to have a sense of purpose, fulfillment and accomplishment for some greater good besides getting a paycheck. To help you with your passion go to the library and pick up the book, “What Color is My Parachute”.
Whatever you do, stop doing what you don’t like. I am sure you have made everyone miserable around you.
Stop Making Promises
Gerald Ford was an honest man who practically “happened” into the presidency in the summer of 1974.
As he ran for reelection in 1976, he stated that he would “Never promise more than I can deliver; and to deliver more than I promise.” We could all learn a lot from this simple statement that addressed the issue of honesty within the government.
Are you honest with your clients? Far too many people promise to return telephone calls and write letters when they know that (for whatever reason) it is not something they really intend to do. Business owners must follow through on the promises they make. The world will be a better place for it, and so will business.
You can begin to improve your business and your life by taking a few minutes to create your own “Stop Doing List.”
Share your stop doing list with a few people who will hold you accountable, or by posting it on a wall so that everyone who comes into your office can see it.
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