Well, it probably means you work from home and only need one pair of dress shoes for those “not frequent enough” appointments outside the home. If you’re like me and you have a home office, you might get a shock of reality when you notice your slippers are more worn out than your dress shoes. After another day of doing “some” work in my office, I thought I’d pick up around the house. I was jolted into reality when I realized my latest shoe purchases were slippers. What is this telling me? Well, it’s telling me that I am not getting out of the house enough on appointments with prospects and clients. How about, just not getting out of the house enough period.

This revelation really got my wheels spinning. I thought to myself, “Maybe I need to think a little bit more about the use of career wear since it might actually help me bring more business in to my marketing and sales consulting business”. In all reality, slippers aren’t going to make a good impression on clients.

Being in business for myself is a new venture for me. After working in Corporate America for close to 20 years, I felt it was time that I put my expertise and skill set to better use. That is why less than a year ago, I decided I would take what I know in helping businesses meet their revenue goals to a different level and work with small businesses. I must say, it has been very gratifying to work with business owners who are open to my ideas and have actually implemented them with much success.

I feel very fortunate to be able to be in business for myself. Let’s face it, the dog and parrots really don’t care if my slippers don’t coordinate with my “comfy” house clothes. They just know I am a happier, more content person. So far leaving the house in “dress” shoes hasn’t really been that painful because we’re still in the summer months where open toed backless shoes are acceptable. The problem is going to be when things cool down and let’s say like it gets wet outside and I’m going to need to put on some shoes that cover my entire foot. Not only will they make my feet feel claustrophobic, they won’t be as comfortable as my slippers that are made out of such soft material. I wish Ugh boots were just a bit dressier…. These are serious things people who work from their home have to think about as the seasons change.

So, you’re probably nodding your head in agreement with this sad reality and thinking okay, “so what am I supposed to do now that I have this awareness”? Being the good marketing consultant that I am, I’m going to help you. Throw out all those slippers your feet just can’t wait to slide into in the morning and have only ONE pair. That’s it. Make a goal for yourself that you will only allow yourself to put on slippers after 5pm when you are home. You could even get a little crazy and dare yourself to go out and network on the days you don’t have appointments with clients or prospects. So many good things can come from growing our businesses and if you’re like me, you don’t ever want to have to call someone else “boss”. If this means I have to get up, put on my war paint and uncomfortable shoes four days out of the week then I am going to do it. It beats putting on dress shoes five days a week to feel under appreciated and yes, underpaid.

Join me in the quest to “clear out those slippers” and get those feet walking the talk and making the money you deserve.

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