It’s a common phrase and one we should listen to at times. Too often we get caught up in the day to day routine and it becomes such a routine that we get pretty good at going through it very quickly. When you do the same thing over and over you tend to get faster at doing whatever “it” is. The only problem with this is you end up getting into such a rut that you miss things, the obvious things, the simple things. Specifically, you miss opportunities to make a difference in your career, with your customers and for your organization. So before going through the year in your routine of a rut, missing the obvious, stop or slow down and smell the roses. Here are a few ideas as you slow down…
Learn one new thing – Make it a point to learn one new thing every day. Maybe you can learn one thing new about a customer, a co-worker or employee. Get out of the rut of going through the motions with customers and actually talk to them, ask questions and learn something. Find out one new thing about an employee. Try learning something new to grow your career. Read a book or a blog and learn.
Try one new thing – Try one new thing this summer or even one new thing each month. Maybe you’ve never asked a friend for his business. Give it a try. Have one-on-one daily meetings with your employees for the entire summer. Send out a handwritten note each day. Try smiling:) Join a civic organization. Take a ballroom dancing class. All of these things things can expand your network and your career.
Buy the roses – If you’re going to stop and smell the roses you might as well buy some. In other words, set a goal or two for the summer months based on learning one thing and trying one thing. When you hit the goal… reward yourself and buy the roses. Your rose might be a weekend away from the kids. It might be a nice dinner out or treating yourself to a day spa. Whatever your rose is, set a goal and when you reach it, reward yourself.
Just because it’s summer, don’t stop working or finding excuses for nonperformance. Use the summer to slow down enough to get out of your rut, smell the roses and recognize the opportunities around you. The summer will end before you know it so hurry up and slow down.
