Trying Counts For Nothing

Like it or not, our public education system provides damaging teachings of contradictory actions & results between what people experience in high school and college versus what they experience in the real world.

Just take a look at our public education system where students are being led to believe that "trying" counts for something, when in real life, it really counts for nothing. In the real world, only results count. The foundation for "whiners" is put in place right here!

In our public educational environment, coaches are pressured to commend their teams for how hard they tried even though they lost, teachers are required to praise students for trying, and parents praise their kids for trying. They say, "Well, you really tried and that's what matters."

As a result, people are conditioned to moan and whine "But I tried so hard... I put a lot of hard work into this... I put in 20 hours... I worked for 20 years!" They then expect a pat on the head, gold star and other rewards purely because they tried!

Many who go unrewarded simply for "trying" become bitter, resentful and jealous of the success of others, especially those who, at a glance, seem to achieve their success easily.

In real life, "trying" counts for zip. In real life sports, a team that tries real hard but fails in game after game sees its coaches fired and a bunch of players turned loose at the end of the season.

In real life business, a CEO who screws up, gets eaten alive by the stockholders; a salesman who misses quota gets canned.

Real life offers rewards for one thing and one thing only — setting and achieving goals.

Remember that part in Star Wars where Luke says "I'll try," and Yoda says, "There is no try, only DO!"

Yoda was talking about commitment, a value sorely lacking with most cleaners nowadays when it comes to marketing and promoting their businesses. It seems everyone is "trying" yet only a few committed cleaners are actually "doing."

When someone says they will try, what are they are really saying is, "I'd like to do it but I'm not sure I can," or "I want to do it but how can I be certain it will pay off," or "I'd love to have those results but it looks like a lot of work."

Now you find yourself hitting this marketing speed bump and think to yourself, "Nobody told me marketing my services would be this hard. Nobody is interested in what I'm offering. The economy is bad. I'm not a born salesperson. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I tried hard but it isn't working!"

Actually, a large portion of cleaners are stuck at this stage. They've approached marketing as something they'll "try" because they must. They will not, however, commit to any program for an extended period of time nor will they ever have either a short term or long-range marketing plan in place. In the end, they are resigned to simply make an effort.

Don't approach the promotion of your business half-heartedly. Stop trying & start doing!

May I suggest that you consider getting back to the basics by following the "Educational Marketing" ladder, starting with the first step, your "Knowledge Base".

I can assure you you will begin to see results almost immediately in countless small ways that will lead you to the goals you seek!

Remember, only results matter. Trying counts for nothing!