Life gets complicated. We all have the same 24 hours each and every day. And it's up to us how we spend our time. We need to invest our time wisely in order to maximize our day and yet, no matter how good we are with time management, we never seem to have enough time to accomplish what we set out to complete when we wake up in the morning. Putting one more responsibility on your daily to-do list may not seem like a practical thing to do, and yet, what I am about to share is so simple that even the busiest person can carve out 24 seconds for it. ROI = HUGE
Without relationships, all business will come to a halt.
People Skills 101 teaches us the importance of building connections. Without relationships, all business will come to a halt. You might have an amazing product or service but without solid relationships, you have no business. And on a personal level, without connecting with others, life will be far from happy. So my 24 second task is designed to help build, strengthen and solidify existing relationships. It is fast, effective and reliable. And best of all, it requires no prep, planning or practice. Ready?
Take out your smartphone. I know you have one. Some of you are reading this blog on your smartphone (according to my analytics, 32 percent of you are actually reading this blog on your smartphone). I only have 24 seconds, so do it now. The clock is ticking. Pick any name on your contact list. It does not need to be a client, anyone will do. Send a text message saying the following: "Just thinking about you. Hope you are having a great day."
Hit send. Boom. 12 seconds. Repeat it one more time. Task complete, 24 seconds. And done. If you are fast at texting like my son Adam, you may even be able to send out three or four text messages in the 24 seconds you've allotted.
Here is what happens when you start this practice. Sometimes, you will get nothing in return, and that's ok. Many times you will get back a response saying thank you and wishing you a great day in return. But every time you send a message like that, you are making the receiver of your text message smile, feel good and happy. I am confident I do not need to tell you the importance of happy people in your life. Happy is contagious and if done right, happy will be paid forward. Ultimately happy will come back to you, guaranteed.
Approach this with the goal of spreading happiness, not just to gain business.
Make it a practice to pick two or three contacts during your day to send text messages to when you are standing in line, pumping gas, or having your coffee at Starbucks. Try not to repeat the names too often since your goal is to be random. Approach this with the goal of spreading happiness, not just to gain business. If some of these messages are being sent to customers, you are proving (12 seconds at a time) that you are a human being, with feelings. Important rule of this practice -- You cannot text about business, unless the response from the recipient involves business.
Switch up your message. It would not be unusual for me to send a message saying, "I love you. That is all." or "Thanks for being in my life." or "My life is better because you are in it." If that doesn't sound like your voice, build your own set of messages that work well. Under no circumstances should you send this message as a group message (don't automate this practice -- I want you to stay human please).
Twenty four seconds wisely invested can change your life.
I've been doing this for over 15 years, and there are days I send out many more than 2 messages. Side benefit -- others have adopted this as a way to spread love, happiness and good vibes as well. I now get messages from friends, clients and others telling me to have a great day. It's ultimate "pay it forward." Plenty of times those messages come to me when I am in a tough spot in my day or when I have had a challenging moment.
Twenty four seconds wisely invested can change your life. Want to try this out? I am happy to be the recipient. Feel free to invest 12 seconds and send a message to me. 410-340-6861. I will return the love, I always do.
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Doug Sandler is a regular HuffPost blogger. He has a book coming out soon called Nice Guys Finish First. To register for a chance to win a signed copy visit his website at www.DougSandler.com. Doug is available to present his programs to your group as well. More information is available on his website as well.