Friday’s Top 10 Top Things You May Not Know About Labor Day

As we bid summer adieu, and we look forward to the last long weekend of the summer, Yes, Monday, September 2nd, 2024 is Labor Day. The holiday will be celebrated by families around the country with picnics, barbecues, road trips to home depot for dishwashers and grills … and of course sports events.

 It is the last blast of the summer vacation season.

Labor Day is a federal holiday and I’m sure most all Government offices, schools, and businesses are closed. So as most of you who are familiar with my blogs know Fridays are reserved for an old-fashioned Dave Letterman top 10 list. Let’s look at the Top 10 things you might not know about Labor Day.

From the Home Office Why Not Mississippi

The Top 10 Top Things You Should Know About Labor Day

10. Labor Day in Canada began in 1872 in Toronto but quickly made its way south to the U.S.  Originally it began as a significant demonstration demanding rights for workers.

9. The first U.S. Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, planned by the Central Labor Union.  The Labor Day parade of about 10,000 workers took unpaid leave and marched from City Hall past Union Square uptown to 42nd street, and ended in Wendel’s Elm Park at 92nd Street and 9th Avenue for a concert, speeches, and a picnic.

8. Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a holiday in 1887.

7. On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

6. What are we celebrating? The contributions and achievements of the 155 million men and women who are in the U.S. workforce.

5. In the late 1800s the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks to eke out a basic living.  Children as young as 5-6 years old worked in factories and mines. Those some hardcore closers there.

4. The year in which the 8-hour day was firmly established was 1916 with the passage of the Adamson Act.  This was the first federal law regulating hours of workers in private companies.

3. Traditionally people did not wear white or seersucker clothes after Labor Day as it unofficially marked the end of summer.

2. The football season starts on or around Labor Day and many teams play their first game of the year during Labor Day weekend. Ahhhh. Football season is here…

And the #1 Thing You Should Know About Labor Day Is

1. Labor Day is viewed as the unofficial last day of vacation before the start of the new school year (and mourned by students all over).  Stated differently, it is the Back-to-School kickoff (cheered by parents all over!).

So take some time during this last summer hurrah to relax, enjoy the family, and enjoy the end of summer! And be ready on Tuesday to follow up, close deals and make some money!  

Have a safe and happy weekend everyone,

David

A CHANGE WILL DO YOU GOOD

We have all been gifted with a great power, and that is the power to choose. We all come to a point in our lives when we realize that reach a higher level, we need to make an important change. Perhaps you have been thinking about this for a while. Now is the time to make that change.

Every day will be the same until you make that change. We have two options. We can either step forward into growth or we can stay in our comfort zone. Nothing great comes out of staying in your comfort zone. You must have the courage to make a change.

It all starts with your mindset. If you change the way you look at things you will find the things you look at will change. Your attitude is what will make the difference. Once you have it in your mind to commit to making a change, you have to take the leap of faith and go out and do it.

Making a change requires taking risks. With risks comes rewards if you’re willing to make that 100% commitment. Life is short and goes by fast. You do not want to be in the fourth quarter of your life filled with regrets because you did not make that change.

It’s time to find the inspiration in your life to get motivated to take action. Inspiration is different for each of us. Inspiration is a personal thing, and it speaks directly to us. This is what gives us the power to inspire change. Inspiration will not find you. You have to find it. That’s how you know that it’s real.

You will find that when you are ready to make big changes, many obstacles will come your way. These are tests that will reveal if you are serious about making changes. You must resolve to persevere and not allow negativity to set in. This is why it’s important to surround yourself with positive people who will help you through the difficult times.

Visualize yourself achieving your goals. Identify a long-term goal and break it down into smaller goals. Create a vision board that can help you get started. You must know exactly what you want to accomplish. You have to have a target.

As you’re making changes, seek inspiration from mentors and role models. If you’re struggling in a certain area, find someone who has overcome similar adversities. Role models are a wonderful source of inspiration. They can provide wisdom and help you to make the necessary changes.

So today, no more excuses. Look at all the areas of your life and make a commitment to make some changes to improve. You are created for greatness and it’s time for you to reach your full potential.

Today is the beginning of something great for you. It’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it. Find the inspiration to make the changes that you need to create a better life for you. I wish you great success!

Happy Selling,

David

Are You Living on Someday Isle?

In the vast ocean of aspirations, there lies an island that many of us are familiar with. It’s called Someday Isle. It’s a place where dreams and goals are abundant, yet often remain untouched. You’ve probably been a resident here, perhaps without even realizing it. Someday Isle is where we tell ourselves, “Someday I’ll get my degree, lose 30 pounds, start a business, write a book, travel the world…”

But what binds us to this Isle? What keeps us anchored in the harbor of hesitation?

The truth is, many of us are waiting for the perfect moment, the ideal conditions, the absolute readiness to embark on our journeys. We wait for the stars to align, for the winds of certainty to blow in our favor. However, this wait is an endless one because, in reality, perfection is a myth, the winds are unpredictable, and readiness is a state of mind that often eludes us.

Here’s a secret that residents of Someday Isle don’t often hear: perfection is an illusion. The perfect moment is a mirage that recedes further into the distance the closer you think you get. The winds of opportunity will never be just right if you’re waiting for a gale to push you forward. And as for readiness? It’s not a starting point; it’s a milestone you pass along the way.

“The perfect moment is a mirage that recedes further into the distance the closer you think you get.”

This article serves as your permission slip, a one-way ticket off Someday Isle. It’s an invitation to break the chains of procrastination and the shackles of hesitation. It’s a call to action to pursue your dreams, not tomorrow, not someday, but today.

So, how do you leave Someday Isle?

First, acknowledge that you are there. Recognize the signs of procrastination and the excuses that keep you rooted in place. Then, make a plan. Start small if you have to, but start. Set achievable goals, create a roadmap, and take that first step, no matter how small it may seem. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Embrace imperfection. The pursuit of perfection is often the biggest barrier to progress. Instead, aim for progress, not perfection. Learn to adapt, to adjust, and to overcome the hurdles along the way.

Most importantly, believe in yourself. You have the strength, the courage, and the capability to achieve your goals. Your dreams are valid, and they deserve to be pursued. So, shake off the doubts, the fears, and the hesitations.

Someday Isle is comfortable, familiar, and safe. But it’s also where dreams stagnate and aspirations wither. It’s time to set sail from its shores. Your dreams are waiting for you, not on some distant horizon, but here and now.

Remember, you’ve got this. Just get started. Today is your day. Make it count. Leave Someday Isle behind and chart a course towards your dreams. The world is waiting for what only you can offer. Don’t let another day go by anchored in the realm of ‘someday.’ The time is now. You can do it. Just get started.

Happy Selling,

David

What is your WHY?

Finding your reason WHY is the first step to finding success. Many people talk about success, but they don’t reach the levels they should. They may have good intentions, but they don’t have the burning desire to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. This is why it is important to have a WHY.

You must figure out your WHY and your true purpose if you want to achieve success. If you don’t have a reason behind your actions, you are less likely to create quality results. With a strong “WHY”, you have all the motivation you need to move you forward to success. So, the question is, “What is your WHY?”

Let me encourage you right now to break out a sheet of paper and a pen, and at the top of that, write out the word “WHY”. In other words, what is your purpose? It must be strong and fill you with burning passion. Write it out and carry it with you everywhere. Feel it deep and promise yourself that every single day, you will live your purpose. Nothing will stop you. No weapon formed against you will ever prosper. When challenges come, this will remind you of why you began in the first place. Live out your purpose with zero excuses.

If you truly want to live a life of success, happiness, and fulfillment, you must find your purpose. Without a strong purpose, you have no reason to grow or improve your life. A person cannot improve their life if they have no reason to improve it.

You must have something that drives you. No matter what comes your way, this part of you does not change. The purpose that you set will never die. You will get knocked down and you will face many obstacles, but your purpose will lift you up every single time. When you have a strong “WHY”, you will do whatever it takes.

Let me get this out-of-the-way right now. You will be tested along the way. You will have storms in your life. There will be times when you want to give up, but no matter what, stay focused on your purpose.

It’s time to get fired up about your life. Your purpose is the one thing that will do that for you. It’s the one thing that will make you wake up early and inspire you to go out and make it happen each and every day.

Nothing’s going to stop you. You will do this no matter what. Your family is counting on you. Others are counting on you, and you are counting on yourself. This is your time. This is the beginning of the rest of your amazing life!

Get excited about your “WHY”! Your future depends upon it. Enjoy the journey and don’t look back. You’re not going that way. Keep marching forward with piles of smiles through the miles of trials. Let your WHY lead your way.

Happy Selling,

David

Ready, Set, Action!

I’ve seen way too many people wait for everything to be perfect before they decide to take action. The problem is, they never take action. When an amazing opportunity comes, they are waiting until they become motivated or fully ready for it.

People make the mistake thinking that motivation comes before action. The truth is, that is a backwards way of thinking. Many look for ways to get motivated to exercise, to get up early or to stop procrastinating. The motivation may be good in the beginning, but shortly thereafter, the motivation fades and action stops.


It’s important to take small actions to keep the motivation going. The truth is, that action leads to motivation. Whatever you want to get motivated about, it’s important to understand that it all begins with action. It’s the action that comes first and then the motivation comes after that. How many times have you said “I need to get motivated to take action“? If you truly want success you have to change that phrase to “I need to take action to get motivated.”

In order to have success, it is important to have goals. We definitely want to set long-term and big goals, but when it comes to taking action, you must focus on the small goals first. The key to getting started is to have a simple plan to achieve those daily goals. Don’t wait for motivation. Take small specific actions to get started. Once you do that, you begin to build momentum and then the motivation naturally happens.

Remember that your feelings have nothing to do with getting started. Never wait until you feel like it. The motivation will always come from action. When you start taking action, motivation follows. If you only wait for inspiration, that’s going to be a problem which will stop you from having success.This is why routines and scheduling time for success are very important. Never wait until you’re in the mood. Put together a plan and stick to the plan. Write out your success schedule and make that part of your life.Get rid of all procrastination. If you wait for motivation first, you may never get started. You must start and then the motivation will follow.Action is the key to success. If you want to be a top level performer, you must take massive, determined action.

Going forward, never allow anything to ever hold you back again. Motivation is important, inspiration is important, but the most important thing is to simply just take action right now. If you feel like you’re not ready, take action. If you don’t feel motivated, take action. If you’re not inspired, take action. No matter what your feelings are, make the decision to take action.

You have an incredible opportunity at your fingertips. Don’t waste it! 

Do not procrastinate any longer! 

Do not make any excuses! 

If you want true incredible success, start right now, start right where you’re at and make the commitment to TAKE ACTION!

Happy selling,

David

Mind Over Matter: Pre-call Mindset Preparation for Sales Pros

The role of a sales representative is not merely transactional; it’s transformational. To transition from a product-pitching merchant to a solution-provider, a sales rep must cultivate the right mindset before picking up the phone or stepping into a meeting. Here’s how to construct the perfect mental framework before making that sales call, and it all starts with belief.

Believe in Your Solution

Selling is not just about convincing a potential customer to buy your product. It’s about offering them a solution that can change their life or business for the better. Therefore, the first step in mindset preparation is to deeply understand and genuinely believe in the solution you’re offering. This belief will naturally instill confidence in your voice and mannerisms, making your prospect more likely to trust your words. If you truly believe that your product or service can solve a problem, that conviction will be contagious.

Believe in Yourself

Remember, you are not just selling a product; you are selling a part of yourself. Each sales call is a new opportunity to demonstrate your capability, knowledge, and commitment. Keep in mind that you’ve successfully helped people with similar problems before. Draw upon those past successes and let them empower your present. Believe in your skills, your training, and your expertise. Confidence in oneself is vital for a successful sales call.

Believe in the Power of “We”

Remember that you’re not alone in this endeavor. You represent your company, a collective unit that has successfully addressed similar challenges for numerous clients. The power of “we” gives you an added layer of credibility and support. This collective belief boosts your confidence and allows you to draw upon the strength and accomplishments of your entire organization.

Believe to Sell is to Serve

Selling is, at its heart, a service. When you approach a sales call with a service-oriented mindset, it changes the dynamic of the conversation. Instead of trying to ‘make a sale’, you are there to help, to solve a problem, to serve. This mindset puts the customer’s needs at the forefront and facilitates a more genuine connection between you and the prospect.

Believe Rejection Isn’t Personal

It’s inevitable in sales that you’ll face rejection. It’s crucial to understand that a ‘no’ isn’t a personal attack. Often, rejection is more about the other person – their needs, their priorities, or their circumstances – rather than a reflection on your abilities. It’s essential to separate yourself from the outcome of the call, see each rejection as a learning opportunity, and move forward with a positive outlook.

As you step into the world of sales, remember, every ‘no’ you encounter is not a dead-end but a stepping stone leading you towards your ‘yes’. Each call, each interaction is a unique opportunity to learn, improve, and perfect your skills.

Embrace the power of belief in your solution, your capabilities, and your business. Serve with sincerity, and never take rejection personally. It’s not just about closing a sale, it’s about making a difference.

You have the potential to transform businesses and lives with your service. You are a beacon of solutions in a world of problems.

So, pick up that phone, make that call, knowing you are equipped to make an impact. You can do it, and with every call, you are becoming better.

Remember, perseverance and a positive mindset are the secret ingredients to your success. Keep pushing forward, because the world needs the solution you’re offering. Believe in yourself, because you are more capable than you think. You’ve got this!

Happy Selling,

David