by Rick Baker
On Oct 12, 2010
A Sales Tweet* introduced this philosophy a few weeks ago…here it is:
Successful people pick up and return more phone calls. Don’t ignore successful people. Call one today.
Successful people have more time.
I observe many business people, some successful and some not-so-successful. Watching what they do and listening to what they say…it seems to me, successful people have more time.
Of course, that’s misstated: everyone knows each of has only 24 hours per day.
The fact is successful people use their time more efficiently and effectively and this is integral to their success.
So, from the observer’s perspective – it seems successful people have more time.
As examples:
- Successful people tend to return phone calls far more often than not-so-successful people
- Successful people tend to respond to email far more often than not-so-successful people
- Successful people tend to have far more time to volunteer than not-so-successful people
- Successful people tend to have far more time for diverse activities than not-so-successful people
- Successful people tend to be far more curious than not-so-successful people
- Successful people tend to be far more inclined to meet new people than not-so-successful people
And, when I ask successful people for help they tend to help.
So, I am convinced, “successful people have more time”.
In fact, I use this as a filter…my antennae go up when people tell me they are too busy to do this or to do that. It seems to me when a person says “I am too busy” that is a signal the person may have self-management difficulties…and those self-management difficulties could lead to not-so-successful performance.
I keep my eyes and ears open for “I am too busy” when I recruit and when I train people.
I also listen and watch for “I am too busy” when we select business allies.
As I watch and listen, I think successful people have more time.
Footnote: