not my usual, but nice… inspired by @expatminister

“not my usual, but nice.” was a post by Josh Hale (or @expatminister on Pressgram) that got me thinking and doing.

What could I do that was not my usual, but just might be nice?

When I go on walks (aka adventures) with Fred the dog, I listen to nature not music (although we could argue that the crunch of snow on a single digit day and birds singing is music). The other day Josh’s post pushed me to try something that wasn’t my my usual.

I grabbed my headphones and plugged into my iPhone playlist as we walked out the door.

Here are my observations about trying something new or different:
* for the first 3 songs, I was not really sure I liked it at all.
* for the next bit of the walk, I was wondering if the tempo was too fast OR if I would prefer a music without vocals play list for the great outdoors.
* a few times I wanted to turn it off and go back to the way I’ve always done it… luckily mittens made that a chore and it was easy to make myself stick with it.
* a few places when I was getting tired, the music kept me going.
* Fred the dog never noticed the difference (me having one earbud in and one ear out to the world apparently doesn’t affect his happiness quotient).

What the heck does this have to do with sales? Well EVERYTHING.
* the first 3 times you try a new technique or leave a new voicemail, you will not really be sure you like it at all.
* the next few attempts, you’re thinking about the changes that would make it better.
* if it isn’t easier to keep on using the new way, old habits are more comfortable to fall back into.
* a little success makes us believe the new way might just be a better way.
* our prospects and customers probably will not notice we’re trying something new if it is a small shift.

Now it’s your turn, what could you do today in sales that falls into the “not my usual, but nice.” category?

photo credit goes to @expatminister

Randomness: for those of you who want to know what played on that walk… I can’t remember every song but the following artists were certainly there with me – Chris Duarte Group, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, fIREHOSE, Eurythmics, Keb’ Mo’, Max Romeo, Mustard Plug, The Police, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Marcia Ball, Warren Zevon