Good morning Rainmakers-it is here. Monday morning has arrived. Did you meet it with dread and apprehension about the upcoming week or did you meet it with a spring in your step and enthusiasm for its possibilities? If you are still working on the transition from dread to excitement, here are 5 easy things you can do this morning in one hour to grow your business and begin to treasure your Mondays.
- If your office is a mess, spend 15 minutes getting organized. I know it is hard to spend time on non-substantive projects but the time you spend this morning will pay huge dividends through the week. You will actually save yourself time and frustration later if you spend the time today to get organized now. Not to mention, you will feel better walking into the office. No one wants to walk into a mess. From one paper piler to another-trust me on this. (Yes Mom-you were right all along)
- Spend 5 minutes and set your rainmaking goal. Do you need to make 5 phone calls to former clients? Take 1 strategic partner to lunch? Maybe you need to attend 1 networking event, write 1 blog, and meet 3 new people? You get the idea. If you are serious about becoming a rainmaker, it is time to get moving. Evaluate your business and set a rainmaking goal for yourself. It is OK to start small. But-get started.
- Spend 15 minutes identifying your low-hanging fruit. We all have people ready to do business with us. Who do you already know that with one phone call or one meeting is ready to send you business or hire you? Is there an existing client that mentioned they are opening an office in a new location? A friend from college that recently changed companies? A new law that potentially impacts your clients? Spend some time this morning thinking about your biggest opportunities and how you can move the ball. Then schedule some time on your calendar to execute on the opportunity i.e. make the phone call, schedule the lunch, write the memo, etc.
- Spend 15 minutes creating a to-do list for the week. Get it all on there-the important projects you have been avoiding, the silly errands that must be done, and or course the dream projects that get your juices flowing. Once all the projects are on the list, review the list and prioritize it. Prioritize based on your upcoming deadlines but also based upon your vision and plan for yourself for the future. If the latter part of this sentence sounds totally foreign, it is gut check time. Are you living from fire to fire or are you spending time being strategic and crafting today so that you meet tomorrow's goals?
- Spend 10 minutes in gratitude. Even if you hate your Monday mornings, you have a place to go on Monday morning. If you are reading this-you have a computer. You probably had a warm bed that you slept in and you woke up. Maybe you have a wonderful family to hug your neck and wish you a good day. You likely have an education and a world of opportunities at your fingertips. My challenge to you today is to spend 10 minutes just being thankful. For the ambitious rainmakers, send a thank you note to someone for something. If someone paid you, hired you, sent you work, or helped you in any way last week-that is a good place to start. If none of that is true for you, send a thank you note to your mentor, a former professor, anyone. Being grateful is a learned state. So, just start. I promise you that if you spend the time to think about it you have a LOT to be thankful for including Monday morning which is full of awesome potential.
Bonus- If you are like most of my coaching clients, you are probably an over-achiever and completed the above activities in less than an hour. If so-here is a bonus suggestion. Read something inspiring. Instead of jumping into the 100 emails that are waiting for you, spend an extra 5 minutes, scour the web and read a story that inspires you. It doesn't have to be work related. Just find something that speaks to you and reminds you that the world is about more than the waiting projects on your desk. The inspiration will provide you new energy, creativity, and optimism for the work week ahead.
Rainmakers are not born, they are created. Rainmakers know that time is a gift that cannot be wasted. Every day is important-even Mondays.
May your Monday be filled with possibility and some of the excitement normally reserve for Fridays afternoon. Don't forget your umbrella-I see rain in your forecast!
About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success. A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals. Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention. You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.
Women's Short-Term-Massive-Action Group Coaching Classes starting on September 22, 2011. Ladies if you are ready to jump start your success, regain control of your time and your life, reignite your professional passion, and of course learn to make rain-this is the class for you. Space is limited contact jonelle@jonellevold.com for details
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