By Neil Phillips.

I don’t know what to say.

I don’t know who to call.

What if I say the wrong thing?

I don’t want to blow this lead.

I have a phone – phobia.

Which excuse do you hear most often, or even say? What happened to your energy as you read the list? Do you feel like getting on the phone? I sure don’t. I feel justified in procrastinating until another day.

As a leader, how much time do you spend listening, saying, or thinking excuses? Just think about what you could produce with that time if you spent it on Income Producing Activities, what your team could make in just one week without any excuses!

The No Excuse Week Rules

  1. You will not listen to, speak, or read excuses. This includes Facebook and Twitter!
  2. You will interrupt, hang up or delete when you hear or see an excuse.
  3. When you feel an excuse begin to surface, you will take immediate action. Any action, DO SOMETHING!
  4. When you hear, see or experience an activity, you will CELEBRATE! Go ahead: call and share, post on FB, and Tweet!

Launching the No Excuse Week

  • Have the team share their favorite excuses (live or on a conference call).
  • Each person writes down the excuses in a list as they hear them shared.
  • After the group creates the list, have them share how they feel.
  • Discuss what happens to your emotions, energy, and activity as you engage in excuses.
  • Present The No Excuse Week, including the rules.
  • Ask who is ready to take the challenge.
  • Destroy the list!
    • You can have them write on water-soluble paper and then put the lists in a bucket of water.
    • You can put all the lists in a metal can and set them on fire (depending on your location!)
    • Have each person put them through their office shredder.
    • Tear up the lists into tiny pieces.
    • Go for a commitment. They can sign one, say the rules, post on FB, etc.

Keeping The No Excuse Week momentum alive

  • Post the rules and challenge on your FB page and list those who accepted the challenge.
  • Daily posts, tweets, and calls to the team to share activity! (Yes, yours, you are leading by example!)
  • Celebrations of any activity, keep up with FB this week!
  • At the end of the week, have everyone share what happened in their business in just one week without excuses! You may even rename your team, The No Excuse Team!

Want regular bursts of practical inspiration for Direct Selling Leaders?

Your best Fall selling season starts with your attitude and your preparation.  That’s why Team Connections is offering a FREE class on August 16 (7:00 p.m. Central time).  The class is on 5 Steps to Prep Your Business for This Fall.  

You must REGISTER to attend.  Go to the Team store and Register.  The class will be recorded.  Want more details?  Go to the Team Store and click the link.