CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jim Paluch is not known for taking things sitting down. The motivational speaker and president of Painesville, Ohio-based J.P. Horizons had a capacity-filled room at the Charlotte Convention Center on its feet during the Professional Lawn Care Association of America’s opening session at the Green Industry Expo Nov. 5.
Paluch’s message was very loud and clear: A positive attitude and a smile can go a long way. Paluch began the session by asking all the people in attendance to high-five the their neighbors sitting next to them. He then got the crowd moving with “the wave,” starting with the front row and moving to the back.
After energizing the attendees, Paluch discussed obstacles business owners face every day and how to overcome them. Some key points Paluch made were:
- Make the best use of your time. People spend too much time worrying and less time trying to move forward.
- Let go of bad habits. “I was amazed at how many people said they wish I didn’t smoke,” said Paluch when talking about a conversation he had about life with some elderly people.
- Stop complaining because nobody likes to be around complainers.
- Get started and stop procrastinating.
- Keep the desire to smile.
- Show some enthusiasm – when you’re selling your business is it the product or the person that the customer is responding to? Without an enthusiastic approach, selling is going to be more difficult.
- Battle the dragons within – keep your shoulders up and your head up to convey a positive attitude.