Everywhere you go, it seems the news is bad. I am constantly on the lookout for good news and I’ve found plenty of it right in the paper with the bad news. Recently while reading my beloved Wall Street Journal, I came across a very cool story about a restaurant doing things a little bit differently and better than most. I ask that you click here and see if the story gives you any ideas or if it inspires you to go out and make some changes and improvements in your business. The next time I am in New York City my buddies Joe H. and Bill and Dawn P. will have to take me there for dinner!

Hello, how many times in the last month have you wasted time? Of all the things money can’t buy, time and your health are two things that, for the most part, you can’t buy. So, it’s critically important that you be organized and use your time wisely. I could write for hours about things you could do to manage your time more wisely, and unfortunately, we don’t have that kind of time here in this weekly e-mail. But, I still can tell you something that will save you a ton of time on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis? What is it?

A To-Do list! Each night before I go to bed, I make sure that I have laid out the next day. It’s a silly little thing that saves a ton of time and makes me very effective. The key is to make sure you are in charge and not allowing others to dictate your day. When you have your day already laid out, and then you follow that plan, your chances for success greatly improve. Sure, things aren’t always going to go well, and sometimes you’re going to have to deviate, but I can assure you that if you do a to-do list each night for the next day, you will save time. And that’s a GREAT IDEA!

Last Monday I left for work around 7:00 am. Normally, none of my kids are downstairs; they are just getting up. My wife makes their lunches and gets them breakfast to get their day started off right. (I am fortunate to have such a great wife and the kids are lucky to have such a wonderful mother!) As I opened up the garage door to get in my truck and drive to work, I yelled goodbye to the kids. Most of the time my son Grant, who is 7, runs down the stairs and jumps off about the third step from the bottom into my arms and gives me a hug; it is always a great way to start off my day. But this day, he wasn’t up yet after a long weekend of fun, and I didn’t want to wake him, so I went ahead and left for work.

When I started Grunder Landscaping Co. with a $25 lawn mower bought at a garage sale (yes, that is true!), I was 14 years old and I didn’t know what life was all about. I certainly did not have a vision that Grunder Landscaping Co. would be what it is today, nor did I think one day I would be married with 4 children; I just wanted to cut grass and get paid to have fun. Today, as I am almost 40 years old, I realize what a blessing it is to own my own business, the freedom it gives me, and the opportunities that Grunder Landscaping Co. has presented. Let me explain where I’m going with this.

On Monday after I was almost 3 miles from home, my wife called to tell me Grant just got up and came downstairs and asked where I was. She wondered if I wanted to come back to give him a hug. I thought quickly – let’s see, I have a staff meeting at 8:30; at 10:15 I have to record a commercial for community service I’m doing; I have to get that big job I sold processed; I have to get my head on straight with the sales leads we have; and I have to prepare for a trip to Orlando to speak to a group of entrepreneurs. Man, that would take an extra 20 minutes to do this – so who cares! – and, by now I’m sure you know where I’m going with this, I turned my truck around and went back home to give Grant a hug. Here’s a photo of us last Monday. You have to love the wet hair look (on Grant, not me!) as he had just gotten out of the shower.

It’s not the greatest photo, but I’m printing it out and putting it in my office. It captures the best part about running my own business.

The best part about running my own business is that I can turn my truck around, and go right back home when someone calls. I’m my own boss and yes, not every day of being an entrepreneur is easy or fun, but most days are great and they’re especially great when you know someone loves you and still wants to give you a hug.

This week, think about what you’re thankful for and look at the good things being in business brings that you take for Grant-ed.

For the last 4 years I have had a small article from Selling Power magazine on my desk. I frequently look at it when I am on the phone. I thought there were a ton of Great Ideas in it and wanted to share it with you this week.

Never Give Up

1. “I gave up on this prospect a year ago. Should I try again?” Absolutely! Last year’s bust could be this year’s diamond-studded opportunity.
2. “I spent hours, if not days, on this prospect. How long should I keep trying?” It depends on the customer’s size and potential.
3. “I keep calling for an appointment. The buyer doesn’t return my calls.” Try another employee. The last key on the ring often opens the door.
4. “I tried dealing with this prospect before. Our personalities clash.” Find a more compatible colleague and turn over the account.
5. “I can’t seem to get past the gatekeeper. Should I give up on this prospect?” Have you tried email or snail mail or accessing the buyer during off-hours?
6. “A good sales rep can sell anyone.” Good attitude, but wrong assumption.
7. “The prospect made an illicit proposal.” Write off the varmint.

This week look at how you’re handling each of those situations, and make sure you’re not giving up!