The Set-Up Day

Not every day can be magically productive, Bill.

That’s what I tell myself at the end of a day where nothing was completed. It’s the last word in that sentence that makes the difference. I didn’t say, “ … Nothing was accomplished.” It’s not as if the day was a complete waste.

It only feels that way.

I pride myself on achieving sales productivity on a regular basis. However, that is not always the case. As you might imagine, stuff happens and the best laid plans go awry. This causes no small amount of frustration. I want to shut my computer down at the end of the day knowing forward strides were made. I absolutely detest wasting time and that’s exactly what these kinds of days feel like.

When I bring that sentiment to the post-work, pre-dinner catch-up with my wife (read: adult beverages and conversation), she’ll say something frustratingly correct like, “What would you tell one of your coaching clients?” She’s right. I know she’s right. She knows she’s right. She smirks a knowing smirk and raises a knowing eyebrow, I scowl, a moment or two passes and then I grumble the obvious: “This was a set-up day.”

You probably already know what I mean by this, but just to be clear: A set-up day is one where several projects are advanced, but nothing crosses the finish line.

No one loves a completed project more than me. I relish checking something off my list to the point where if I’ve done something not on the list, I will add it just so that I can immediately cross it off and feel the testosterone rush.

Kidding (not kidding).

Sometimes I write these blogs wondering if they are for you or for me. Let’s make this one to all of us:

Not every day can be magically productive, Bill et al. <<insert Allison’s smirk here>>

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