Trick-or-treaters came and went as I sat passing out candy from my front porch. Some of the kids donned carefully created costumes while others chose the store-bought variety. The ages of these kids were as varied as their appearances.

What I noticed myself doing was selecting different candy for different people. The individuals  who seemed to have really put their hearts into their costumes were receiving some of the better candy treats, while the high school kids that just threw on some face paint would get the less desirable candy.

As I was discriminately making judgments about people I did not know, I thought perhaps I should distribute the candy without giving way to my preconceptions. However, it dawned on me that we all give discriminately. Whether it is candy on Halloween or time, talent or treasure in the workplace; we all use criteria to determine what to give and to whom.

It would be easy to say that we should not judge people. It would be simple to say we should give of ourselves equally to everybody, without prejudice. However, even though it may not be “the right thing to do”, it is natural to discriminate when it comes to who we give to and what we give.

We make decisions daily about giving. When a client or salesperson calls asking to meet with you for 30 minutes, you need to decide whether or not you should oblige. When you are invited to a sporting event with a colleague or asked to do something outside of your comfort zone like attend a hot yoga class, you are required to make a decision about whether or not it is worth it.

These decisions about what deserves your time, your talent or your treasure happen every day and we always use some set of criteria to make the decision.

There is little value in discussing the merits behind your criteria. Most likely you make decisions the same way you always have. Maybe your decision-making process has worked for you; maybe your decision process has not worked well for you. The point is that you should accept you are doing things the way you have always done them. Ask yourself if there is value in shaking things up for a change.

Like fruity yogurt, the best things can sometimes settle at the bottom of the cup. To get the most out of it, you have to stir things up.

My challenge to you is this: For one day, break your patterns when it comes to decision making. For those things  you would normally pass on, say yes. For one day, when you have an opportunity to take a meeting you would normally pass on, say yes. For one day, give more than you normally would to your clients or colleagues. Yes, for one day, turn everything upside down and watch how it changes you. Give yourself the opportunity to find the fruit in your life’s yogurt cup you didn’t even know was there.

As you go through your Bizarro World day, notice how everything begins to look different.

This challenge has the power to do one of two things, both of them positive. Your patterns can be changed forever by the new and unique experiences or your decision-making criteria can be proven to be well-developed and worth continuing. Either outcome adds value to you, your family and your business.

Why take this one day challenge? A better question is, “why not?” You have the world to gain and nothing to lose. Find the fruit.

For ideas and details on this one-day challenge go to www.boltfromtheblue.com and enter the word FRUITY into the blue print box.

Tom Richard is a Toledo-based sales trainer, gives seminars, runs sales meetings and provides coaching for salespeople. For more information, visit www.boltfromtheblue.com, call (419) 441-1005 or e-mail him at tom@tomrichard.com.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 6:29 pm and is filed under Selling Points, Toledo Business Link.
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