Are You Smiling? 5 Simple Tips To Start Your Day
This morning I was on my usual drop off my daughter at school trip and ended up stuck at a couple of lights where the traffic is kinda heavy in the morning. as I sat at the long lights, I noticed the other people driving, probably to work. Almost every single one of them looked sad, depressed, unhappy, angry, tired, or hurried. After looking at about 75 cars in two intersections, I found only two people that were either smiling or singing, or otherwise happy looking. One was singing to the radio presumably, the other was talking on the phone and laughing. 2 out of 75! What does this have to with customer service you ask?
Those are the people answering your phones, servicing your clients, and talking to perspective clients. If one of these unhappy folks were to answer the phone when they got to work, what do you think the client would hear? Unhappy, bored, not really there, who cares attitude is likely. That is not good business. People can sense that on the phone, even more so in person such as a sales or service call.
So how do we get these folks out of their I hate traffic, my kids are driving me crazy, I am too busy, my spouse never helps out at home mindset and into the happy customer oriented, customer service guru mindset? Let’s look at some ideas.
Tip # 1
Listen to music. Is there music playing in your workplace? Allow music to be played in the workplace, in service vehicles, in shops, wherever your employee work. Most experts agree, that music is a spirit lifter, it helps us forget the day to day drudgery that life sometimes presents. Obviously there are some situations where music can be detrimental or a safety hazard. I don’t think blasting AC/DC at a customer home on a service call is a great idea. Or probably not good for warehouse workers listening to Ipods while forklifts and trucks are moving about.
So with some good common sense music can help us all have a better day!
Tip # 2
Shape your inner voice. You know that voice that says “this call is going to be a complaint. I can’t deal with this today”? Yeah me too I hear it all the time. But if you direct that inner voice by changing the approach the difference can be amazing. Same call new you “This call is probably a client with a problem, I can’t wait to get in there and help them solve that problem”. Can you see how this will change the way you feel and how this will impact your business? If you practice this technique, you will not only change your business but your life as well. Train your employees or hire someone to train your employees on this technique. Put up reminders in your shop, office, vehicles, wherever you or employee can see it all day. VERY POWERFUL TOOL.
Tip # 3
Start your day doing what you like. This will help you get into the mindset we discussed in Tip # 2. I do this by writing in the morning. After breakfast, some coffee, taking my daughter to school, and some stretching I am ready to work. When I am working at home I like to start the day writing. It wakes up my mind and gets the blood flowing. I don’t look at email, read regular mail, or check my calendar. I start the day doing what I like to do. It gives me an incredible boost and makes the rest of day just flow. Starting the day doing the stuff you hate will make it a bad day every time! Adjust your day so that you can get the ugly stuff done before going home and start the day doing the tasks you enjoy. Your day will start off happy and that shapes your day!
Tip # 4
Give yourself a mental boost first thing. Do you watch or listen to news in the morning? Stop it! It is so depressing, and can even make you angry! Use that time to listen to your favorite music. Use that time to stretch, meditate or do yoga. Eat breakfast. Go for a walk. We have all heard this advice before, so why don’t we do it more often? I don’t know either, but I do know that some yoga in the morning, even just 15 minutes make the day a whole lot brighter and gives me something to look forward to in the morning.
Tip# 5
Positive thoughts. Similar to # 2 above. As you begin to think about your day start the exercise of thinking thoughts that are positive. Most people have seen real estate ads, ”Cozy!” means 400 sq ft. ”Quaint” means built in the 1800’s” “close to shopping!” means on the corner of a busy street near the mall. etc. etc. You get the point. But take the lesson here. Turn a pumpkin into a carriage, just by changing the way you look at things. How can you look at your business differently? Can a change in thinking change you and your business? Positive thoughts are contagious, spread them throughout your company and to your clients.
It take practice and disciple to change the way we think. The results are always worth the effort when we change in positive ways.
Use these simple 5 tips to help you become happier. Use them to make your company happier. Use them to make your clients happier. When all those folks are happy the bottom line will make the accountant happier! Hope to see your smiling face on my way to my daughters school!
Enjoy Your Day!
