By Steve Ashkin, The Ashkin Group

I have noticed that many organizations (including both end-users and suppliers) are experiencing hard, stressful times. As the economy struggles, many building owners are becoming “careful” with their spending and cutting back unnecessary expenses, which often affects cleaning. In addition, some organizations are cutting back on personnel, which places significant stress on the remaining workers who have to cover the added workload, as well as wonder if they might be the next to go.

In these times, stress can take a serious toll. Our customers and prospects may be stressed-out and place added pressure on us. They may be more short-tempered further adding to our stress levels.

Our own employers may be feeling the pressure and placing greater demands on our ability to generate sales. Our coworkers including our own customer service people, sales support staffs, delivery personnel and others may all be feeling the pressure and tempers can be short.

And then there’s our own family and friends. Dealing with our own issues from mortgage payments to credit card debts to college loans layoffs for spouses and friends, food prices and the list can go on --- and the pressure can seem unrelenting and at times overwhelming.

In times like this --- and candidly we have been through them before, it is important that we “weather the storm” and make smart decisions. The following are some ideas to keep in mind that will help you navigate the storm:

1. Begin by recognizing that this is a stressful period for everyone and be on guard. Be prepared for the worst and thus be careful, and try not to let it affect your attitude. And take that extra breath or count to 10 or whatever it takes, but just use extra caution that the way you react to a stressful situation doesn’t actually add to the problem.

2. Take care of your health. Get plenty of rest, get some exercise and minimize alcohol consumption. When things are hard, even small personal victories can be helpful such as losing a few pounds, walking down the stairs rather than taking the elevator and skip the second half of Monday Night Football, besides early season games aren’t that important anyway.

3. Be extra careful when driving. Other drivers are more stressed-out and in a greater hurry. Not only do you want to avoid the stress that results from “road rage” but this is the time when accidents are more likely to happen. And don’t forget to plan your routes and air-up those tires. Little things can both save you time and money.

4. Take extra time to make sure you got the information right the first time. Confirm orders, take notes and whatever else it takes to get it done accurately the first time, so you won’t waste time doing it again and dealing with the stress of correcting a mistake.

5. Give yourself more time whether it is driving between meetings or at lunch. While you have to be efficient with your time and not waste it, so plan, plan, plan and anticipate that “stuff” will happen and build in a little extra margin of time just to be safe.

6. Read a good book. Books can be positive stimulants and inspiring. You can become inspiring for others who are also struggling including customers, prospects, coworkers, families and friends. And books can provide lots of good information to talk about.

7. It’s going to be an ugly election year. I don’t like talking politics and I think Green Cleaning is going to prosper regardless of who becomes our next President. But I do believe that leading up to the November Presidential Election we will find the airwaves filled with negative, bitter, biting ads. Just be aware and try really hard NOT to get caught up in it. No matter how angry or bitter you may feel, unless you are running for President (where this kind of stuff seems to be acceptable) don’t let it drag you down.

8. Discuss difficult issues with someone, don’t just hold it in. Depending on your situation, find someone you can talk to. Sometimes it can be your boss or a coworker. But sometimes, this may NOT be appropriate. Sometimes it can be your spouse, but sometimes you may not want to burden them with your problems. Find others to discuss issues including a pastor, priest, nun, rabbi, imam, guru, friend, parent, extended family, counselor, etc. But when selecting a “non professional” to share your issues with, find one who is positive, upbeat and with the proverbial “level head on their shoulders”. Remember that well intended, but bad advice is still bad advice.

9. Hang-out with kids. Kids are innocent and can be a real source of inspiration and a reminder why we are doing this. Green Cleaning really is about their future and the difficulties we are going through are important to make a difference in their lives. And they can’t do it without us.

10. If you’re religious --- pray. And if not, meditate. In stressful times I often find it consoling to stop for even a few minutes at a neighborhood church, synagogue or other house of prayer and many places like universities, hospitals and airports have places that make it convenient even during a busy day of selling.

I certainly hope that you find this article helpful because your success really is important. We can’t succeed without you.

Good selling,

Steve

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About the Author:

A 25+ year veteran of the cleaning industry, Stephen Ashkin is the author of Green Cleaning for Dummies and a tireless advocate for environmentally preferable cleaning products. Often referred to as the “father of green cleaning,” Ashkin has played a pivotal role in setting industry standards, promoting environmentally preferable products, and advocating for socially responsible practices.

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