7 Things to Do Every Morning - by John Essay

As we approach 2013, I offer my suggestions to add to your New Year’s resolutions.  My list of 7 Things To Do Every Morning will help you to run your business more effectively and be more efficient and productive.  Happy New Year!

*******************

1. Check email and voicemail.
Calls/email may have come through during the night and you will want to make sure to answer them as soon as possible. Make sure to check your "Spam" folder - sometimes important messages can get mistakenly labeled as Spam.

2. Take a shower right away.
Don’t laugh - this is MOST important. You need to be prepared for any last minute appointments. It can be so frustrating when I call a client with an appointment, only to hear "I haven't even showered yet!"

3. Eat something.
My personal favorite! There are days when you will hit the ground running. Don’t forget to eat. You don’t know when you’ll have another chance and you’ll need the energy.

4. Plan what you will do for your business today.
Read a play? See a play? Write some letters/emails? Look at regional theater season websites? You MUST do something business related!

5. Check the news: Internet, TV or newspapers
Being up on current news provides interesting topics of conversation and is an important part of being a well-rounded person.

6. Plan some physical exercise for the day.
Walk to an appointment or on an errand instead of taking the subway. Sometimes exercising is easier when you do it with a friend.

7. Always look your best when leaving for the day.
Dress neatly and be well groomed and ALWAYS carry a picture and resume and/or business card. Women, make sure your hair and makeup is done. You will find NYC is a small world and you never know who you will run into!

******************

Check out what other Experts are saying! www.backstage.com/categories/backstage-experts/

******************

Behavior is a Mirror - by Robert Curtiss

"Behavior is a mirror in which everyone shows his own image" (Chinese fortune cookie)

I recently read the saying above on the "fortune" in my fortune cookie, and it reminded me of other similar sayings:  "Actions speak louder than words", and, "You are what you do". All of these sayings boil down to the same simple truth: we show the world what kind of people we are by what we do, literally -- how we treat others, how we are groomed, how we manage our time, to list just a few examples.  Our behavior gives powerful non-verbal messages to others that tell them what to think about us. After all, they may say "Never judge a book by its cover", but we all make assessments and judgments based on the available evidence before us. Knowing this can help us shape how others perceive us.

Our attire and our personal hygiene send strong messages.  People may not consciously note that you look clean and neat, but they definitely notice when you are sloppy or otherwise not well-groomed.

How we manage our time sends a powerful message too. When we are on time, we are telegraphing to others that we are ready and eager for our appointment; when we are late, we may give the impression that we do not value other people's time, and that we are not responsible -- which may not be true, but this is the impression some may be left with.

When we are kind to others and offer them care and concern, our actions reflect kindly upon ourselves, and when we speak about others behind their backs -- a bit of snide gossip, perhaps, or maybe belittling another actor's talent -- it says to others that we probably talk about THEM behind their backs as well.

How do you perceive of yourself, and how do you want to be perceived by the world? Think about that, and think of ways to behave that promote that perception in yourself and in others.

**************

Check out what other Experts are saying! www.backstage.com/categories/backstage-experts/