Last week we looked at how important it is to view our disciplines as the rewarding annuities that they are and to reject procrastination as the plague that it is. By taking proactive measures to improve the way you do business now, the resulting efficiencies and successes will yield results that will pay off with greater income in less time as long as you do it right.

To do it right, first keep in mind that taking your business to a new level begins with you, because your business only has one truly essential asset, and it's your brain.

Therefore, it only makes sense that if you want a better business, get a better brain. Just kidding! So until the medical world perfects brain transplants you're stuck with the one you've got, so you may as well make the most of it.

From reading here every day, you already know where to go to learn more and feed your brain to be the best professional you can be, but it's important to remember the old adage that people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Being able to see things from the customer's viewpoint, listening and asking the right questions, are just the beginning. You must have a genuine interest in helping your customers and an ability to focus all of your attention on their needs in order to show them you care. If you do, they will sing your praises for years.

If not, well... you know.