1/4/2024-The “First of the Year” Blues

if you’re gonna throw in the towel on the day, promise not to wake up tomorrow with the blues. If you’re ready right now to move on from this (mostly) self-inflicted punishment, look forward.

Take stock of the year so far…

Day One: you analyzed your Q1 pipe.

Day Two: you prospected and got meetings.

Excellent. Great start!

But…you may have awoke this morning having caught a case of the blues. That’s understandable…the blues are going around, and most sellers catch ’em at some point this week.

Sorry to report there’s no silver bullet…nor sympathy. You’re not alone.

Don’t let the clock run out on Week One. It’s only the blues, and you can easily fight ’em.

The blues will run away like a cockroach in the light when you consume yourself with your To Do list, the central nervous system of selling.

Today, feast upon your To Do list like you devoured your holiday roast beast a few weeks ago. Ticking boxes and re-ordering priorities will kick those blues in the you-know-what.

Don’t give up an ounce of productivity this week. Plan your work…and work your plan!

Like catching a cold, the blues can be caught anywhere and anytime. The good news is recovery can be quick…but how quick is up to you.

When stuck with the blues, remember the following mantra about life in sales: It’s okay to have one bad day, but not two in a row.

So go ahead and have the blues today. (If you must.) Go ahead and live in the past week by remembering the fun you had. But if you’re gonna throw in the towel on the whole day, promise not to wake up tomorrow with the blues.

And if you’re ready right now to move on from this (mostly) self-inflicted punishment, all you need to do is look forward.

Open your calendar and start thinking about Q1 milestone dates. The best way to get out of the blues you feel today is to focus on tomorrow:
1. Start preparing for the important meetings you have in Q1 with prospects and customers.
2. Work on a plan to leverage recently announced new product releases with select customers.
3. Begin preparing for conferences and networking events this quarter so you maximize your time.
4. Prepare for Q2 by writing down some thoughts on upcoming quarterly goals – and don’t forget Q2 strategic planning for key accounts!

You have no time for the common cold and its associated drippy nose and cough, so don’t put up with the blues. Shake it off and focus on the future.

As fast as time moved last month, it moves like a snail with a torn Achilles the first week of January – and throughout the month.

In this YT short, you’ll hear how a young Will Smith creates momentum when faced with daunting tasks like starting a new sales year.

Don’t let the blues affect how you make it rain this week; be responsible for your time and productivity!