This may well be a personal word for marketers. I recently read a story about a very well respected elderly carpenter who decided he wanted to retire and spend more time with his wife and extended family. He told his contracting employer of his decision and although he would miss the job and the pay they would get by as a family.

The contractor was really sorry to hear this news and would miss one of his best employees for his character and skill. However, the contractor asked the man if he would build just one more house as a personal favour. It wasn’t long before he started the project but his heart was not in it and because of this the workmanship became shoddy and the materials inferior. It seemed an unfortunate way to end what was a very good career.

This is for you

When the contractor came to inspect the house he handed the keys to the carpenter and said, “This house is for you!” “It is my gift to you.” Well, you could have blown him over with a feather. The old man was shocked and amazed at the same time.  If only he had known he was building a new house for himself and his family. He would have done it all so differently and with all the skill and ability he had cultivated over the years. Now he had to live in this house!

This is your house

We get to live in the ‘house’ we build for ourselves. We are distracted with so many things and have produced less than our best and now we are living in this state. At key points in our lives we have not pursued excellence but like the old man have cut corners and the result was less than the best.

I am writing this for myself as well as my colleagues who labour every day to generate new business or meet targets and give their best to create an excellent message for their business or their client’s business. Yet, we will need to be mindful that the attitudes and decisions we make today will impact our work tomorrow.

Random thoughts on how to invest?

Make that extra call – I can be really tired at the end of a day and yet something within me says, “Call that Architect” I am often surprised at the outcome. A timely call can produce the right enquiry for your business.

Pursue excellence – We have all received those shoddy letters or emails with wrong spellings and unclear statements.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”    – Aristotle

We can make a difference each day to the lives of other people by giving encouragement and as marketers listening carefully.

Responding – This relates to social media in particular. If someone greets you, reciprocate! Simple.

I have enjoyed sharing this with you and would like to connect with what you are doing to invest in your ‘house’

See you soon.