Husband, Father, Blogger, Business Owner: A Sales Lion Close-Up

Monday February 21^st 2011

7:30am—As I feel a tiny set of fingers tickling the bottom of my feet this morning, my eyes begin to open and a smile immediately comes to my face. Larsen, my 4 year old daughter, has taken it upon herself to wake up ‘Daddy’ this morning, just as she always does about this time.

I’m feeling really good today though. Yesterday, like most Sundays, I caught a nap, and today I arise invigorated, just knowing that everything on this day is going to fall into place. For some reason, I can’t help but to smile.

8:15am—I skipped breakfast this morning. I’ve got writing on the brain instead. A post is due and I can see it already written in my head. I’m going to write today about an experience I had on a sales appointment Friday. This article will be fun.

8:40am—Article is done. Wow, that was fast. Yeah, it really is going to be a good day. A few more minutes to get this puppy up on WordPress and we’ll see if she’s got legs. Blog day is always fun. Never quite sure of the reaction, but I feel good about this one.

9:15am—‘Publish’ button has been hit….Need to tackle a few emails for my swimming pool company before writing my next article this morning.

9:40am—Wow I’m feeling stoked to write an article that has been building up within me for quite some time. Despite the fact that I run the most popular swimming pool educational blog in the world right now, none of the manufacturers/vendors in the industry want to offer content for guest posts. I’ve offered and almost all have said no. I want to give them a free platform to spread the word yet their minds and marketing methodologies are so antiquated that I’ve been stonewalled. Well enough is enough. Time to call ‘em out. The article will be called, “There is Something Very, Very Wrong with the Swimming Pool Industry.” I think it’s going to cause a stir, but that’s OK, it needs to be said, and it won’t be the first time the status quo and I will butt heads.

10:05am—850 words later and she’s done….and I really like this article. It just feels right. I’m going to throw it up on my blog, which is a Hubspot platform, and see if she’s got legs…..TSL article already getting comments. Patricia is the first to jump in. What a great lady she is. I like her a lot. Joe and Robert quickly throw in their thoughts as well. Looks like this article might do well. I’m excited….and still smiling.

11:15am—Back upstairs to grab a bite. My kids and I chat and play a little. I eat fast, but that’s me. I hate wasting time on food, especially on a day like this when I’m so excited as to the possibilities.

11:45am—Time to head to the office building of my swimming pool company. As I’m walking to my car, I look out and see Larsen on her swing. Alone. I better take a minute and give a few pushes before I leave. She needs to know I care.

12:30pm—At the office. I’ve got some new employees to meet today as pool season is about to explode yet again. I don’t come here much anymore. My business partner Jim handles the day-to-day for our company. At this point I’m either selling or producing content. It allows me to work at home quite a bit. The office is a cage for me at this point in my life. Soon, I will hire a full-time sales person and my duties will almost be completely filled, thus allowing me to further focus on other areas of my life. Although River Pools has been great to me, this stallion is ready to run…

3:00pm—After following up with the weekend leads from our website I’ve decided to spend about an hour or so floating around the blogosphere. My first stop is Ingrid’s blog, NittyGriddy. Man this girl is good. Really good. She has posted a ‘weekly roundup’ of great articles from last week and included my fun little spat with Mark Harai on avatars. That’s awesome. So nice to be recognized. It’s weird how these types of mentions happen all the time these days, especially considering for the first year of my blog I could only hear the crickets. Funny how quickly times can change.

6:00pm—Still sitting here. Everyone has left the office and it’s about time I started to head home as well. I’m hungry. For some weird reason I want McDonald’s French fries. Hmm, that’s weird, I don’t know when was the last time I actually had the urge to eat anything from McDonald’s.

6:30pm—Sitting in McD’s eating French fries and their new Oatmeal. Don’t ask me why. I’m still trying to figure it out myself.

7:30pm—Home with the fam. Time to read some books and wrestle with the kids, depending on who’s climbing up my back. I enjoy this part of the night, and their smiles indicate likewise.

8:00pm—Notice an email on my blackberry. It’s Jk from Hustler’s Notebook. Despite also leaving a comment on today’s post, he has taken a moment to privately tell me he thinks I should write a book about the ideas I’m teaching on TSL. I can’t believe how kind and thoughtful the guy is. Unbelievable.

8:30pm—Kids are now in bed. My wife Nikki and I are on the couch talking while the baby, ‘Pink’ as we call her, rests on Mommy’s lap while eating. This is our special time together each night. No distractions. Just light conversation and simple observations of our newest child while whispering on the couch. The lights are now off in the house. Peace resides.

9:30pm—I’ve just started my workout downstairs after saying goodnight to my dear wife. Just like every night at this time, I’ll be on the elliptical for the next hour. This is also my time to watch TV while working out. Thank goodness for TiVo.

10:40pm—Elliptical done, now I’m in the sauna. 180 degrees in here with Bach playing in the background. This is my spiritual and meditative time of the day. It’s great.

11:15pm—Feeling refreshed again. Ready to catch my second wind. I’m debating over whether to write blog articles for my real estate business, write a guest post for another popular blog, or answer an interview request from another blogger.

12:00am—Chose the interview first. I’d been putting the guy off. It took a little time to answer his questions but it was fun. Now time for the guest post.

1:00am—Guest post written. That’s a relief. My eyes are now hurting. Real Estate articles will have to wait till tomorrow.

1:30am—Slowly tip-toe in bed. While I lay here I take a deep breath. One in. One out. I’ll be asleep in 30 seconds. It was a good day. And I’m still smiling.

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Your turn: I’ve talked about my average day, but would love to hear about yours as well. As always, comments are very much appreciated and if we’re not yet friends on Facebook, let’s take the next step