After explaining a few major reminders of what not to do when you are a marketer by trade, I would love to share a few reminders of what to do.
1. Know how to make lemonade.
A positive twist is important. In every thing you do, a positive attitude is frankly the only attitude to have.
Dwelling on what is not working, as well as harping on how things have always been done before, is no way to get your organization in a leading position in the future. Plus, people simply enjoy friendly over snide banter.
Practice smiling. When you wash the dishes, water the plants, make that phone call, or reply to the nasty email you got from an unhappy customer, take a deep breath and smile. Trust me, count your blessings and take a friendly, high-road approach.
Also, a positive spin always makes everyone happier.
OK, that is a lie. Some people are insatiable. Other than those who perpetually see the sad side of life, however, turning any situation into something sunny-side up helps everyone feel like they win. Besides, staying positive pushes you to keep your own faith high, too.
Honey, my dear, will get you everywhere.*
2. Feel good saying “yes,” say “yes” with excitement, and always think “why not?” before saying “no”.
Have you seen the movie Yes! Man?
Jim Carrey’s performance and his romance with the always charming Zooey Deschanel always inspires me to leap out and say “YES!” to life. Oh, the adventures to be had!
Really. I watch this movie something like once a month, and am seriously considering this replacing my New Years Day tradition of watching 200 Cigarettes (double-feature, anyone?).
We can become all too comfortable shooting ideas down, but largely, I believe we say “no” out of fear. We can make excuses and miss out on a lot of opportunities and a lot of living.
Hmmm…. would you prefer to spend your time thinking of excuses out of things, or experiencing and learning lots of new things?
3. Stay flexible. It’s against human nature, but we all have to adapt constantly.
Enough said.
Situations arise. Circumstances change. Obstacles love popping up into our plans more than you love your Mama’s pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.
The same is true in marketing. Whether you are talking about the ever changing world of communication tools, the constantly evolving economic forecast, or the everyday dealings within an organization, being agile will get you far. When things get tough, that agility will transition you and your client or organization smoothly into ideal future positioning.
4. Again, going back to the original article, be true to who you are… with risks!
Learn new things, get outside of that comfort zone. Stepping into new, scary territory will grow you more, both as an individual and professionally, than perhaps anything else you can do in your career.
Pitch your bad idea (to trusted company, of course). Keep track of concepts that seem insane.
Then, think “why not?”
And when people tell you it cannot be done, ask “why not?”
Then, when people tell you how it has always been done instead, ask “why?”
Some of these bad, insane ideas can become polished into the most amazing gems. I promise.
Yes!
~ Ashley Sue
*”Honey” is not code for lying or brown-nosing. Integrity is everything, dear, and if you lie, cheat, or steal, everyone will smell you out in future dealings, long before you have had the chance to try “winning” them over again.
Wait for it…