I got lost.
On my last day in New York last week I was walking around Central Park enjoying the views. After a while of aimless wandering I realized I had to get back to my hotel (in Mid-Town) to pick up my bags and catch my flight back to Chicago. So I did some guess-work with landmarks and tried to find the right way out of Central Park to be closer to my destination.
30 minutes later I was neck deep in guess-work and no closer to a way back.
(But I did find a minute to enjoy the views and take the picture I used in this blog post…)
So I asked (a New Yorker) where the nearest exit was – knowing that if I had a street crossing to work with I would know where to go (even if I was starting waaaaaay off-track). Turns out I WAS off course; but at least I knew what I was doing wrong and then pointed myself in the right direction (from the upper east side).
How often do you do just that in business? Get lost and just keep guessing? How does that work out for you?
Getting “lost” can be fun if you’ve got time on your hands and you’re just enjoying the views. When you need to get somewhere (get results): Notsomuch.
SO…
When you’re lost and need results:
- Find a strong point of reference and get your bearings by asking someone who KNOWS where to go and what to do. Make sure you have the right person – ask qualifying questions. These could range from “Excuse me, do you live in New York?” to “I need help with hiring employees – have you done that before?”
- Know what you need at that moment in time – and clearly state it. In my case “I need to get to W 45th street…” in business it could be “I’m hiring 1 sales person – how should I pay them?”
- Move in the RIGHT direction of your goal. Even if you’re initially waaaaaay off course you can change direction. You will know you’re making productive progress instead of wandering in circles.
- Keep moving and keep asking for help along the way.
And remember: Even when you’re lost, stressed out or confused – take time to enjoy the view and smile; even if it’s just for a minute.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
– Ferris Bueller
Who can YOU ask for some help, some direction and some guidance today?
Carter, I love the article. As a salesperson for the past 10 years, so many of my colleagues have asked, “What kind of creative things can I say to get through the gatekeepers on a sales call?” One told me that he lied and said that he was an old fraternity brother (obviously not true). When he got through to the decision maker, the gentleman told him that their company will never be doing business with his and hung up the phone.
It’s amazing to me how far a “Can you help me? I’m trying to find the person that makes the decisions on (fill in the blank)” goes with people. Most people enjoy helping (I’m one of them) and will gladly direct you.
Thank you Gregg – love the application of “Can you help me?” to the sales world; nice to see a sales “strategy” with integrity!