just following up
Jun 13, 2023 12:19 am
As I took a leisurely walk with my newborn daughter, I couldn't help but feel inspired to create some engaging content. After all, that's what work-life integration is all about, isn't it?
I want to talk about a valuable lesson I learned from one of my mentors, Joe Polish, the marketing guru. Way back when, he was a broke carpet cleaner drowning in debt. Despite his lack of success, Joe was persistent. So when he met a big-time entrepreneur while jet skiing in Arizona, he poured his heart out to him.
To his surprise, the dude responded with a thought-provoking question: "Are there others in your industry who are thriving?" Joe acknowledged a few companies enjoying immense success. So the guy said that if others could thrive in the same field, Joe could too. Quitting wouldn't guarantee success elsewhere. He’d simply take that mentality to the next thing. Maybe it was simply a lack of persistent follow-up that was standing in Joe’s way.
It's intriguing, isn't it?
You see, I take immense pride in my ability to follow up diligently. It’s one of the most important things Joe taught me. I ensure nothing slips through the cracks, utilizing tools like Trello, email reminders, and snoozing options. Leaving tasks unresolved in someone else's court is simply not my style.
Here’s what I mean.
I want to join the Princeton Community Democratic Organization as part of my journey toward mayoral aspirations. Through a friend, I was introduced to a member who runs the membership committee. We spent several hours together, and I shared insights into streamlining membership management using tools like Airtable and SendFox. The encounter was fantastic, and soon after, I received a text from the organization's president.
I informed the president about my desire to get involved in the organization and my mayoral aspirations. The president recommended reaching out to a member of the nominating committee. Following this advice, I promptly emailed him, sharing my previous discussion with the president. To my delight, the guy replied the very next day, brimming with enthusiasm and expressing a strong desire to involve me.
Curious about the available committees, I inquired about the options. This exchange occurred around six weeks ago, and since then, I've sent weekly follow-up emails, eagerly seeking progress.
While the guy's responses have been positive, he often mentions being swamped and appreciates my persistent follow-up. Two weeks ago, he informed me that he had recommended me to the head of the nominating committee.
However, a week went by without any communication.
Determined not to let things fall by the wayside, I reached out to him again, He acknowledged my concerns and assured me that he would take immediate action. I decided to text the organization's president, to provide an update on the situation.
Remarkably, the president responded promptly, expressing regret for the delay and reiterating their strong desire to involve me in the organization. I emphasized my unwavering commitment to following through and assured him that I wouldn't drop the ball unless instructed otherwise.
Whether it’s addressing customer service issues, managing potential clients, or even returning a breast pump for my wife. Regardless of how busy we all are, using busyness as an excuse doesn't cut it.
The truth is, everyone is busy, yet only a few manage to accomplish their goals effectively. The ability to follow up consistently directly correlates with our success and prevents us from feeling overwhelmed.
Surprisingly, most people struggle with follow-up, which gives you a tremendous advantage when you master it.
Remember, the one with the best follow-up wins! So let's embrace each day with a proactive mindset and ensure our follow-up game is strong.
I wish you a day filled with effectiveness and accomplishment. Take care!
The Arts Council of Princeton sponsors a series called “the ART OF series”. It’s a sampling of social experiences that introduce audiences to the endless creativity and innovation right here in my adopted hometown, Princeton, NJ.
I’ll be presenting the Art of Less Doing, Thursday, June 29 from 6 - 8:30. You should come.
News from the Productivity Homefront
Have we talked (asynchronously, obviously) about Princeton Kaizen?
Princeton Kaizen is a school of thought designed to drive positive incremental growth in all areas of life and business. Since it is a major collaboration and my close friend Chris Kincade is really driving the operations forward, I get to focus on what I love the most, which is developing methods for doing things better.
Less Doing is still home to my coaching practice, but Princeton Kaizen is where I get to put on a new hat as Chief Methodologist. It’s not a replacement for what we have been doing, but rather a place where I'm certain I can produce the best content I have ever created.
Princeton Kaizen has three main components: Kaizen Academy, Kaizen Summits (next one is October 13–14, 2023), and Kaizen Productions.
Kaizen Academy helps leaders drive innovation and bottom-line growth with in-depth learning programs, a vibrant community of growth-minded leaders, and expert coaching from industry pros.
The Academy has three levels of engagement:
The Edison Plan - offers content, live stream programs, and targeted learning experiences.
The Curie Plan - adds an interactive community component and mastermind groups led by our pros.
The Franklin Plan - incorporates personalized coaching and tailored private workshops.
Princeton Kaizen is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about engaging in conversation around a school of thought with an incredible array of teachers, coaches, and thinkers. I believe this idea is big enough to spur a movement – a movement where continuous change for good trumps the grind every day.
Here’s the website:
This Month’s Cool Reads and Finds
How's your week going? Not so great right?
Did I really say that? Yup. You did.
Make it an effective day.
