Tuesday Tuneup- #31
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
This week's edition of the Tuesday Tuneup is sponsored by:
I’ve worked with a lot of finance companies through the years and Ed at Finturf is one of the best. Finturf understands the level of anxiety and frustration your salesperson and your homeowner may have during the financing portion of the sales process. Finturf is a tool that is designed to give your salespeople and homeowners the best financing experience at the kitchen table. With one credit application, they utilize technology to provide the highest probability of approvals for your homeowner. Run ONE application, get approved, sign loan docs, complete the job and get paid, all from the same ecosystem!
This week I was fortunate enough to cross some pretty big items off my personal bucket list. As my wife and I reflected on what’s going on, it became pretty apparent that we are able to do what we are doing today because of seemingly small and insignificant actions years prior.
When you combine time, intention and action, you can accomplish pretty much anything.
The vast majority of my readers are home improvement contractors and for any of you wondering how to apply this principal to your business, today is for you.
Here’s what I have learned.
Consistency Over Perfection
One of the biggest challenges many contractors face is the pressure to get everything perfect right away. Whether you’re managing multiple jobsites, negotiating contracts, or improving your sales process, there’s often a desire for everything to run smoothly and perfectly from the start.
The problem with this mindset is that it can lead to frustration when things don’t go as planned. Maybe a project runs over budget, or you lose out on a bid to a competitor. These moments can feel discouraging, especially when you’re putting in a lot of effort and not seeing the results you expected.
The key here is to focus on consistency, not perfection. Small, steady improvements each day will always beat sporadic, all-out efforts followed by burnout. For example:
Improve your communication skills by following up with clients consistently, rather than trying to craft the perfect pitch for a single project.
Enhance your sales process one step at a time by adjusting your follow-up techniques or refining your pitch, rather than overhauling the entire process overnight.
Develop your team by holding regular training sessions, focusing on one or two areas of improvement each month, rather than expecting them to master every skill right away.
Remember, you don’t have to achieve perfection to make progress. By consistently taking small steps, you’ll improve over time and build a stronger, more resilient business.
The Compound Effect: How Small Changes Add Up
There’s a principle known as the compound effect, which is often applied to personal finance but holds just as true for business and personal growth. The idea is simple: Small, seemingly insignificant changes, when done consistently over time, will add up to massive results.
Think about it this way: If you improve just 1% every day, that may not seem like much in the moment. But over a year, that 1% adds up to a 365% improvement. Imagine applying that principle to key areas of your contracting business:
Improving customer relationships by consistently checking in, providing updates, and going the extra mile with follow-ups.
Enhancing team performance by encouraging daily skill-building and holding your team accountable for small, measurable improvements.
Building brand visibility by consistently posting on social media or updating your website with small improvements, rather than trying to launch a huge marketing campaign all at once.
Every small action you take compounds over time. The key is to be intentional about where you’re making these small changes and to understand that the results won’t be immediate. This is where long-term thinking comes into play.
Stay Focused on the Long-Term Vision
We all can get discouraged when we don’t see instant results. But building a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s important to have a long-term goal in mind and stay focused on the bigger picture, even when the day-to-day challenges seem overwhelming.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate the small wins along the way. Every completed project, satisfied customer, and new contract is a step toward your long-term vision. But it’s crucial to keep that larger goal in perspective. Here’s how you can maintain focus on your long-term vision:
Set clear, achievable goals. Break your big goals down into smaller, manageable steps. For example, if your long-term goal is to grow your business by 25% over the next year, set monthly or quarterly milestones to measure your progress.
Stay adaptable. Your path to success won’t always be straightforward. There will be setbacks, challenges, and unexpected roadblocks. The key is to stay adaptable and resilient. When something doesn’t go as planned, adjust your approach and keep moving forward.
Remind yourself why you started. When progress feels slow, it’s easy to lose motivation. Keep your passion and purpose at the forefront of your mind. Whether it’s providing for your family, growing your business, or serving your community, remember the bigger “why” behind your daily efforts.
Embrace Challenges as Part of the Process
One of the biggest roadblocks to taking small steps is the fear of failure. When we’re not seeing immediate results, it can feel like we’re not making progress. But the reality is that challenges and setbacks are a natural part of the improvement process.
Instead of getting discouraged by these obstacles, view them as learning opportunities. Each challenge you face is a chance to grow, improve your skills, and fine-tune your approach. In fact, overcoming small obstacles consistently will prepare you to handle bigger challenges down the road.
For example, if a project doesn’t go as planned, ask yourself:
What can I learn from this experience?
How can I improve my process for next time?
What small changes can I implement today to prevent this issue in the future?
By reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, you’ll be more motivated to keep moving forward, even when progress feels slow.
A Great Attitude Is Your Secret Weapon
No matter what industry you’re in, attitude is everything. A positive, resilient mindset will help you overcome obstacles, stay motivated, and continue taking small steps toward improvement. In the home improvement industry, where projects can be long, stressful, and unpredictable, maintaining a great attitude is key to long-term success.
When things get tough, remind yourself that progress is rarely linear. There will be ups and downs, but as long as you’re taking consistent action and staying focused on your long-term goals, you will see results.
Here are a few ways to cultivate a great attitude, even when the going gets tough:
Celebrate small wins. Every small improvement, no matter how minor, is worth celebrating. These wins will keep you motivated and remind you that you’re on the right track.
Surround yourself with positivity. Build a network of supportive peers, mentors, and team members who share your commitment to growth and improvement. Their encouragement will help keep your attitude in check.
Practice gratitude. Take a moment each day to reflect on what’s going well, whether it’s a satisfied customer, a completed project, or a personal achievement. Gratitude helps shift your focus from what’s not working to what is.
Finally, If you found this edition enlightening or helpful, Please share it with somebody who could use the advice (We all know somebody). The more ideals I get, the better the content for all of us. If it brought you none of that and was a complete waste of time…. then please let me know! I appreciate the help either way!
Greetings from Chicago
