Bill Zimmerman's Weekly Tip - The Definition of 'Work'

Welcome to fall! (Boy, it sure turned from summer to fall fast last week...) This is definitely my favorite time of year - no allergies, cooler weather, and fall colors around the corner.

Today I'd like to share a short excerpt from a great new book by Douglas Smith (nationally reknowned speaker, author, and sales trainer - www.DougSmithOnline.com) called "Green Zone Selling." He really nails down the definition of the word, "work:"

Joe Girard is known for being the top automotive salesperson of all time. Joe's success is unparalleled in his industry; no one even comes close to his career numbers in car sales. Joe was once asked about his secret to success. He responded, "When I eat, I eat. When I sleep, I sleep. When I play, I play. When I work, I work."

Girard went on to explain that if you want to be a top salesperson, you have to spend every minute at work actually working. He noticed that many of his colleagues came to work not to work but to socialize, to read the paper, snack, play on the computer, even to catch up on their sleep. Joe was different. He came to work with one purpose in mind: to work. Maybe that's why in an industry of so many subpar performers Joe Girard became a miltimillionaire.

Are you OK with Joe's concept of work? Some people aren't. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that American workers spend as much as 30% of their day engaged in activities that have nothing to do with their jobs. Thirty percent! The study found that while people were supposed to be "working" they were instead making personal phone calls, running errands, playing on the Internet, balancing their checkbooks, reading magazines, talking about sports, taking smoke breaks and performing a host of other time-consuming tasks having nothing to do with their jobs. (My father, who had an admirable work ethic all his life, would say, "Work is not someplace you go, it is something you do.")

What is your definition of work? Do you go to work to really work? Can you honestly look yourself in the eye at the end of a workday and know you've put your best foot forward and actually worked all day?

A big part of learning how to work is learning to master your time and focus while at work. Over the next several weeks, I'll be sharing some practical, excellent time management techniques with you that will help you work for effectively. Until then, take a few minutes to think about your work day and write down when/where you aren't actually working. Doing this will help you organize and prioritize your workday in light of the time management skills I'll be sharing.

Looking forward to it!

Your Partner in Greater Success,

Bill Zimmerman

208-939-0002

NMLS #3773