It’s that time of year again, when we all promise ourselves that we are going to get slimmer, eat better, get fit … you know the drill!

Why not have a couple of professional resolutions as well?  Ringing in 2016 may be the perfect time for you to have a look at how you can work smarter – and be happier and more productive.

Here are three little suggestions:

1) Spend an hour each day NOT checking your emails. The writer Pico Iyer has called our devices ‘Weapons of Mass Distraction’ and I think he’s right. Turn off sound and visual notifications of incoming email and concentrate. You’ll get much more done if you are not constantly shifting mental gears. This is not an easy thing to do, I know. I find first thing in the morning works best for me.

2) Always ask for the referral. When you are talking to your clients after they return from the trip you booked, don’t ask just about the destination and the hotel, but also about your service. “Were you happy with the service we provided?” If they say “Oh! We can’t thank you enough! Everything went smooth as silk!”, then write that down and ask if you can quote them on your website using just their first name. I’ll bet they say yes, and I’ll bet it will look great.

3) Promise yourself you’ll  participate in at least one webinar a month. It’s great for product knowledge, will provide info you can share with your clients and (yet again!) will be a welcome break from that onslaught of emails.

Here’s to a happy, health and prosperous 2016!

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This article appears in Sphere, Travelweek’s monthly e-newsletter for home-based agents.

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