by Kelly Greer
Publisher, Gwinnett Magazine

With business recovery still clipping along the rocky bottom and most of us still scratching our heads, I've been reminding myself of some timeless truths that keep me focused on the bigger picture and preserve my sanity to play another day.

1. Sincerely compliment people and lift them up! You never know what your encouraging words at the right time may do for someone else. It is by far one of the easiest and most important things you can do to improve the world!
2. It is ladylike (and downright hot!) to talk about money and get deposits. Clients who don't like to pay deposits for professional services often don't like to pay their bills either.
3. If you work with your spouse, defer to him/her two out of three times. (It's that third time that's a doozie!)
4. In any economy, life is too short for bad customers! Be as selective about your clients as they are about you. Only take the win-win deals. Know that someone who wants something for nothing at the beginning of a business relationship isn't likely to change their motivation.
5. People don't care about how much you know till they know how much you care. Set the email and facebook aside and just go see some people. Better yet, take some chocolate and a smile and make somebody's day!
6. Dance with what brung ya. Be original. Be yourself. You're not for everybody and that's OK. You only have to do business with a very small percentage of the world to be infinitely successful.
7. Don't try to sell anyone anything...but rather, help them buy if your product or service makes sense for their business.
8. If you mess up, fess up – fast. Some of my most loyal customers have come from my biggest mistakes. (Thank God that people are, and want to be, forgiving!) Customers don't want to feel like they are a pushover or their business isn't valued. Turn the situation around by going ridiculously out of your way to make it right.
9. Take care of each day and everything else will take care of itself.  Can't see what things are going to be like next month or next year?  Can you see what needs to be done today? Do it. Then do it again tomorrow. Super productive days have a way of turning into successful months and record breaking years. Don't let business get "too big.  Just do what you do. Then repeat.
10. Ditch the pantyhose! I mean really. Can anyone think straight while wearing those things? Studies show that comfort is key to happiness and creativity in the workplace. Loose the Leggs and spread a little happiness today.

What are your timeless truths for staying sane in this market? Let's continue the conversation by visiting www.gwinnettmagazine.com and post your comments on my blog. I know you guys have some great insights the rest of us need to hear!

If you have topic ideas for this feature, email me at Kelly@gwinnettmagazine.com.

Until next time, keep those pantyhose in the trash can and get out there and do some good!