9.9.2010

You’re Not Even Doing the Bare Minimum.

“Dude, you’re just freak’n lazy…”

Not you. That was me about 35 minutes into a boring explanation from a lazy executive about why he couldn’t launch his business in the right direction.

I did apologize. As edgy as I am, I try to be kind, but this was too much. It burst right out of my lips.

And it was true.

It’s something that I have been noticing more over the last few months.

Despite the fear, the loss, and the uncertainty from the worst period in business history in 8 decades it seems that we are doing less than ever. It just doesn’t add up.

Were we always this content to fail? And then whine about it as if success has nothing to do with the amount of effort that we invest?

So you’re a big-shot executive that is under-employed right now. Whey can’t you get a second job in retail or work nights doing security at a gas station or delivering pizzas?

My great grandparents sold match-sticks for a penny a piece during the Great Depression — when a loaf of bread cost about a dime. They were out of work at their factories and yet scrapping with every ounce of effort to realize their dreams

It was a culture of effort back then.

And I miss it sometimes. Great minds help us do great things. But we actually have to do something.

Effort is the great equalizer.

Don’t get me wrong; we aren’t doing nothing. We have jobs (usually), a business, and a fancy title or two.

Our LinkedIn profile is well scripted and our business card says “Consultant”.

But when you cut through all the fluff, here’s what you come to realize – we aren’t doing enough.

Not even the bare minimum.

It’s less than that.

It’s poor, lazy behavior. In every sense of the idea.

I’m not even sure how we got to this point.

We talk ourselves out of action before we even get started.
We spend emotion looking good rather then getting results.
We debate the plan rather than working on it.
We discourage our competition rather than letting it motivate us.
We make excuses for our mediocrity.

It takes more.

See. Here’s a little secret for you:

Doing the bare minimum is really all you need to be successful.

The bare minimum is enough.

But that might be more than you are doing right now.

Is it time for more?

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http://asimpleguyblog.blogspot.com Dan Collins

Tell it like it is Dan – kudos – I tried to cover this at the beginning of this recession thingy here and was told I was a bit too blunt – No apologies though http://bit.ly/dxoKDq
- http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt
  
  Can you be too blunt with your own success?
  
  Dan
  
  p.s. I love how people try to tell us not to “get too wound up” or not to “take things too seriously”… That’s all we should be doing.
http://asimpleguyblog.blogspot.com Dan Collins

Tell it like it is Dan – kudos – I tried to cover this at the beginning of this recession thingy here and was told I was a bit too blunt – No apologies though http://bit.ly/dxoKDq
http://twitter.com/CoachLee Leanne HoaglandSmith

Your posting is right on. Unfortunately most people do not do the bare minimum and even what is even more outrageous they expect the maximum return in dollars. Yesterday I happened across a You Tube video about a school in Australia which is a spin about your message – telling like it is. http://processspecialist.com/increasesales/?p=979

Leanne Hoagland-Smith – Increase Sales Coach
- http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt
  
  You nailed it, Leanne.
  
  Great insights.
  
  Dan
  
  p.s. Thanks for stopping by…
http://twitter.com/CoachLee Leanne HoaglandSmith

Your posting is right on. Unfortunately most people do not do the bare minimum and even what is even more outrageous they expect the maximum return in dollars. Yesterday I happened across a You Tube video about a school in Australia which is a spin about your message – telling like it is. http://processspecialist.com/increasesales/?p=979

Leanne Hoagland-Smith – Increase Sales Coach
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http://salesandmanagementblog.com Paul McCord

Dan,

Excellent post. I’d like to add one more thing that makes no sense what-so-ever–not only do people not do enough, when they do get around to doing something, it is the same old crap that didn’t work well in the past. They fall into the lazy trap of doing more of what didn’t work expecting a different outcome this time instead of investing the time and energy (and possibly money) to learn effective strategies.
- http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt
  
  Paul,
  
  So very true.
  
  Which is why we need to get our hands on some *new* “slump busting” ideas… COMING SOON!!!!
  
  Dan
http://salesandmanagementblog.com Paul McCord

Dan,

Excellent post. I’d like to add one more thing that makes no sense what-so-ever–not only do people not do enough, when they do get around to doing something, it is the same old crap that didn’t work well in the past. They fall into the lazy trap of doing more of what didn’t work expecting a different outcome this time instead of investing the time and energy (and possibly money) to learn effective strategies.
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Lori Richardson

Dan,
I love this topic. Two years ago I moved from the city to a college town and figured I’d see better customer service from the retailers and local companies but most often DON’T see that – and I agree that it is because the employees that are hired – including at the big box stores and department stores either have not been trained or just don’t care – or both. So is it that the owners / leaders of the companies are lazy or penny-wise pound foolish? I don’t know, but do know that poor service does not earn my loyalty as a customer.
Keep being edgy!
Lori @scoremoresales
Lori Richardson

Dan,
I love this topic. Two years ago I moved from the city to a college town and figured I’d see better customer service from the retailers and local companies but most often DON’T see that – and I agree that it is because the employees that are hired – including at the big box stores and department stores either have not been trained or just don’t care – or both. So is it that the owners / leaders of the companies are lazy or penny-wise pound foolish? I don’t know, but do know that poor service does not earn my loyalty as a customer.
Keep being edgy!
Lori @scoremoresales
Pingback: bloob.net
http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

Can you be too blunt with your own success?

Dan

p.s. I love how people try to tell us not to “get too wound up” or not to “take things too seriously”… That’s all we should be doing.
http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

You nailed it, Leanne.

Great insights.

Dan

p.s. Thanks for stopping by…
http://www.DanWaldschmidt.com/ Dan Waldschmidt

Paul,

So very true.

Which is why we need to get our hands on some *new* “slump busting” ideas… COMING SOON!!!!

Dan
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