“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.”
– Willie Nelson
Chaos always seems to peak in December. The last few weeks, I took a break from blogging to focus on Print+Promo’s* 2014 Buyer’s Guide. But now that that’s behind me, I’m able to get back to my normal routine and start thinking about the new year.
If you look close enough, you’ll find that a lot of cool things are happening in the print and promotional products industry. Companies are making significant investments in digital technology to stay competitive; augmented reality is taking off; and businesses are about to roll out their next big product line. (At the very least, these can be used to jumpstart conversations with clients.) Nevertheless, it’s easy to fall into a trap of self-doubt. For example, my brain is currently clouded by “Oh-no-how-will-I-finish-everything-in-time” thoughts while playing out every possible (i.e., bad) scenario. The go-to response from my peers: “Don’t worry, it always gets done.” When I’m caught up in worry, that’s the last thing I want to hear, but you know what? It’s the truth.
Even though it’s easy to protest that point (e.g., “It gets done, but at what cost?), the outcome is always the same, so why fight it? Instead, we should be fighting to make a positive impact. Corporations often promote optimism within the company culture, but are employees projecting it to the outside world?
Think about it. Do you know how your clients perceive you? If your inner voice responded “Okay, I guess” or “No clue,” then you’ve got some work to do. Have no fear—recognizing the problem is always the first step. The next time you hear that nagging voice tempting you with worry, stop, step back and assess the situation (and don’t forget to breathe). The more you know for 2014!
*Print+Promo is the sister publication of Promo Marketing.
