PETER SHANKMAN
| POSTED ON September 22nd, 2011 | 39 COMMENTS | + ADD YOUR COMMENT |
1) Thank people. Not just when they do something. Thank them randomly. When you finish reading this post, send an email to your best client, thanking them for being your best client.
2) Read a new website you’ve never read before.
3) Go to the manufacturer’s website, and download the PDF of the manual for a piece of electronic equipment you own. Learn something new the device can do that you didn’t know it could do before. Use that knowledge to save time or help someone else.
4) Learn about affiliate codes. Even if you don’t have a book to sell or a product to push, you probably recommend and advise on purchases to other people and clients. Even if you do something as simple as registering for an Amazon affiliate account, you can sell a few items through there and earn a few bucks – Perhaps enough to buy a movie, perhaps enough to buy a new piece of software, perhaps enough to make a dent in that new home upgrade you want.
5) Upgrade your living quarters. Whether it’s buying a new TV, or using Freecycle or similar to get something new in your house, adding a new thing is a great way to break out of a rut.
6) Get rid of something you don’t use anymore. Take something you don’t use but don’t want to get rid of just yet. Hide it somewhere in our home or office where it’s not easily accessible. If you haven’t needed it in a month, it’s time to get rid of it. Donate it, sell it, or leave it by the curb.
7) Stop at the local drug store and buy a 1-pound bag of candy. Put it in a bowl, and put the bowl on your desk. You’re instantly more popular at the office. Bonus: Don’t eat all the damn candy yourself.
8) Bring in a dozen cupcakes to the office tomorrow, just because.
9) If you have a pet, brush him or her for 30 minutes. Not only will the pet be in a state of bliss, but studies have shown that it’ll actually lower your blood pressure.
10) Tell someone how important they are to you. Tomorrow it might be too late.
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Nice. And if you aren’t putting wrapped candy on your desk then put a spoon in there so people’s germy hands aren’t mucking about in the candy corn. |
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I love your blog post and your lists. This is a helpful reminder of the things we should do often. Have a great week, Arie |
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13. Make at least one person smile a day, doesnt matter how. A simple thank you, be a gentleman and hold open a door for someone or compliment them on their hair, eyes, makeup ( insert what you like ). Just be genuine. 14. SMILE – it makes people wonder what your up to :) |
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#7 has done wonders for me. Found out that my VP’s favorite candy was tootsie rolls, now I have an unlimited supply at my desk. The VP that I used to talk to once a week is now in my office 3-4 times a day. |
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Loved this list! I found so many things I could do right now on it and I’m about to get them all done. . . then I’m going to save this list and keep doing something every day! Thank you! |
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Great, love it! I’d add: Get moving, move, stretch, jog in place, get the blood flowing somehow. Too many of us are sitting in our chairs all day and hardly getting any exercise at all. |
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It’s truly the smallest things that often make the biggest difference! Great post :) |
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My cat bites me after about two minutes of brushing, so I think I’ll skip #9. |
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Per writer / author Lisa Napoli — at the end of each day think of three things you’re thankful for — write them down, share them. |
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All great ideas! I’ll add . . . |
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Love your list, Peter! I would add: “Make a list of your dreams — the ones already fulfilled and the ones still to be fulfilled.” |
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Peter~ Thank YOU for creating HARO it is a wonderful resource that has helped my business a lot. It is a resource I pass on to all of my clients ( you make me look good!). I also appreciate your wicked sense of humor and making a dry list into something fun to read. Hopefully, I will see you at a conference one of these days! Stacey |
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Now how did I know you were going to mention pets there somewhere? ;-) Thanks for this list! I can add one more: Take literally 1 minute to just focus on your breathing. I mean really deep breaths, the kind that fill your lungs when you inhale and expand your belly when yo exhale and which instantly calms you down regardless of what’s going on in your life. Works every time. Cheers, |
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Peter, I just placed my mother in a nursing home today and agreed to hospice care. Your 10 things could not be more timely. Mike |
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Great post! It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our day-to-day to-do’s and loose sight of the little things. It’s funny, I had a co-worker years ago at a newspaper who covered a number of high-profile stories. I can’t remember many of the stories she worked on, but I’ll always remember the bowl of York Peppermint Patties. I’ll second adding live plants to your work area. And pet grooming. |
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15. Delete that Facebook friend with whom you interact the least…he/she might not be a friend after all. :) |
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Take 2 minutes to make yourself look better and feel better several times a day. Don’t give up on yourself, don’t let that 5 o’clock shadow creep up on you, and you’ll always shine! |
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Great post! One thing I would add to this list would be to unplug so you can truly be in the moment. I was just at a restaurant and saw a child trying to talk to their parent. Unfortunately, the parent was too busy checking messages on their phone to notice. I understand being busy and the need to check your messages, but you need to have a balance. |
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Love it! And I love bea’s suggestion of a hula hoop…I dare you to try and do it without smiling. :) Happy first day of fall! |
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fabulous list. |
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#7 is a tough one. The bowl really needs to be put on someone else’s desk :) |
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Great advice. We definitely should take you up on at least half of the 10 things you said here. Not only do I find them great business advice but I find them outstanding personal advice. I remember my friend Yuri Mintskovsky saying that you have to treat your business as well as you treat yourself and your everyday life if you want your business to sustain you and to sustain your everyday life. |
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Love the list. Currently, I use the affiliate earnings to buy new books to read – I’m a sucker for new books. But also, I’m trying to bake working out every day and waking up earlier into my daily routine. A simple run will add so much more energy to your day without having to depend on coffee or energy drinks. That’s the best thing I’ve done in the last few weeks. |
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Peter, I’m a little late to the party here, but I would add two… 11. Thank a mentor you might not have been in touch with lately. :-) |
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Instead of random candy – get Riesens – then everyone can have a Riesen to smile, to come by your desk – whatever – I bought them for my office and keep a bag filed under”R” for Riesen in several different files systems we have in our office. So, whenever someone needs a Riesen to smile – they know where to get one. It’s become a running “thing” in our office :) |
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#1 Funny, I just received a thank you from someone in Singapore today and inviting me to their home if I’m ever in the vicinity. I had no choice but to write back to thank them for such a warm welcome. :) Showing appreciation is contagious. my #11 Laugh if I feel misunderstood. Laughter keeps me from taking myself too seriously. my #12 Read a book to a 5 year old. June B. Jones preferably. Super Kate |
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Awesome list! It does remind me several things I would love to do but always forget to do. I quite agree with No.3 tip. I’m sure you will find something surprising you by reading the manual. Actually I just got some useful tips for my itouch. It’s wonderful. And for No.5, I would say flowers is a good choice. They will light up your room and make it more livelily. And I love No.7 tip, but I cannot do it since I’m sure I cannot control myself in front of bowl of candy~:) |
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I love this blog; not only because you lend these tips in a humorous way, but I believe your suggestions have the potential to better a person’s position in public relations. Individuals involved with PR need to “up the ante” in their professional routines by taking the time to follow a number of these steps. Building relationships are essential in a public relations career. The simple task of thanking clients regularly rather than solely when the sign of appreciation is necessary will strengthen those relationships. Reading a new website and taking an interest in learning about something outside your comfort zone (ie. electronics) will keep your mind racing. Those in the communications industry need to be open to new ideas, and the simple task of broadening your knowledge in a spectrum of resources will heighten a person’s desire to learn more. Simply leaving out a bowl of candy or bringing in some treats for your fellow colleagues or clients will leave you impressing more than you could imagine. I believe people tend to overlook these easy things. Thank you for your advice! |
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