Picture this: someone leans in, eyebrow arched, and drops the dreaded line, “You know, you REALLY OUGHT TO…”
Do those words echo in your head like a wise sage’s prophecy? Or do they make you flinch like your eye-to-eye with a car salesman, who’s trying to convince you that the shiny $100,000 automobile in front of you is just what your driveway needs?
Think back to the last time someone hit you with a “YOU REALLY SHOULD START EXERCISING,” or “YOU OUGHT TO WAKE UP AT THE CRACK OF DAWN AND DIVE INTO WAR AND PEACE,” or my personal favorite, “YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST JOIN THAT NETWORKING GROUP (where everyone only talks about their cats).”
For reasons known best to our rebellious hearts, we tend to put up a mental barricade against anything someone insists we ‘ought to’ do. For instance, when was the last time you told your kid they ‘ought to’ wash the dishes, and they sprang into action, whistling a merry tune as they scrubbed away?
I’ll bet my last doughnut, those dishes are still sulking in the sink!
Welcome to the “Great Human Rebellion” or, as scientists call it, “The Reason We Avoid Doing What We’re Told.”
Welcome to the “Great Human Rebellion” or, as scientists call it, “The Reason We Avoid Doing What We’re Told.”
As card-carrying members of the human race, we’re a peculiar blend of curiosity and control freaks. Our brains come equipped with this nifty feature called reactance, which is basically the neurological equivalent of a teenager shouting, “You’re not my real dad!”
Now, understanding this predisposition to ignore instructions like a cat ignoring its new expensive toy could be the key to turning your winter from ‘meh’ to ‘marvelous.’ As an entrepreneur, you’re the head honcho, the big cheese, the leader of the pack. And your team looks to you for guidance, probably hoping you don’t lead them off a metaphorical cliff!
So, as a leader, it’s crucial to keep your inner rebellious teenager in check and your curious cat under control. You know, so you can have a winter season that’s more ‘hot cocoa by the fire’ than ‘stuck in a snowdrift.’
Now That You Know The WHY, Let’s Dive Into The HOW!
Winter, the season of chilly noses, frozen toes, and…profit? If you’ve been snoozing on your sled and are just now dusting off your business plan for winter, don’t sweat it! There’s still time to transform into a rock star. Think Mick Jagger, but with window cleaning tools instead of a microphone!
No matter where you are in this frosty country, you can still be the Rolling Stone of window cleaning – just maybe without the tight leather pants.
You’re probably thinking, “How do I pull off this rock and roll transformation?” Well, put on your backstage pass, because I’m about to give you a sneak peek into the world of winter window washing success.
When was the last time you knocked on doors? And I’m not talking about trick-or-treating.
Are you making cold calls? The kind that would make a polar bear shiver? The kind colder than the beer you accidentally turned into a popsicle during your last neighborhood BBQ?
And what about door hangers, Valpak coupons, or clip-and-save mailers? Have you been spreading those around like breadcrumbs for pigeons? And don’t forget about ads in local newspapers. Yes, they still exist, and no, they’re not just for swatting flies!
Are you networking at local events? Or are you just trying to score clients while pretending to adopt cats at the local shelter?
And how about catching up with old clients? Have you considered offering to walk their dog – or cat (hey, it’s a thing)? You never know, you might stumble upon a side gig in the lucrative world of pet ambulation!
Listen up, folks! It’s time to hop on that phone, canvas neighborhoods, knock on doors, and add on services to keep yourself busy during the winter months. Revamp your marketing plan to create a drip campaign that lures in customers like a gingerbread house lures in fairy tale characters – all year round!
Now, go out there and rock this winter like a true superstar!