Who Is That Knocking At My Door?

The door bell rings, ding dong...ding dong, you go to the door and open slowly to a person standing there, arms full of papers, briefcase and a bag.

"Hi, my name is Charlie and I am selling my business today! It is a terrific business, I've made a lot of money in the last month, you just have to check it out"!

I'm taken back by the boldness of this young man as he excitedly promotes his business to me, an unsuspecting householder.  I don't know "Charlie" from Adam, where he's from, what his background is, or what he is "really" selling. If you were in my shoes, what would you do next?

I found myself feeling repulsed at the manner in which "Charlie" approached me, good intentions, valuable business or not. I wanted to know who "Charlie" was, what he was all about, where he was from and why isn't he asking me about me? Charlie was so excited he forgot the golden rule, "do unto others as you would have them do to you".

If someone came to your door, or called you on the phone, how would you want them to treat you? I would assume you would want them to ask questions, get to know you before going any further. Would you want a complete stranger to show up at your door, call you on the phone or befriend you on Face Book, Twitter or any other social networking site and immediately blast you with what they want you to buy or join? How does that make you feel? What does it make you want to do to that person's request?

Of course you don't like it, you want them to become your friend first. You would want to get to know where they've come from, what they like and dislike, what they like to do for fun. Do they have a family? Where do they work, do they like their job, etc. How do you get to be friends with someone? It takes work, having a conversation, back and forth...several conversations it takes to become real friends, right?

How can you help someone get something they want if you don't know what it is that "they" want? Did you ever stop to think that they probably don't have the same desires or goals you have? Interesting thought, yes?

So, the next time you contact someone about your "business" or "product" stop and think...is this my friend or do I even know this person. Would I like to be approached the way I am approaching this person?

To Your Success,
Carla J Gardiner