Yesterday I was pressed for time because I hadn’t been as on top of my productivity game. I had just taught a weekend workshop and have another project where the other side is writing long winding emails. My list was long and I needed to get the gifts for my Holiday Party attendees.

We had selected the place to get the gift, but when I called they didn’t answer all day. This was unusual as they are always open. I had to drive there and find that they were closed. The next gift idea was a LOT more expensive than I had budgeted. This was my original gift idea and we had called the company to request a discount because of how many we were going to purchase. We called and visited the stores four times and each time was told no they won’t give discounts.

Ok – fine. Heavy sigh. I’ll just get them anyway and know that they will be appreciated. I know it’s not going to be busy, even though it’s the holiday shopping season, because it’s been heavily raining all day. This makes me happy. I get to the store only to discover they are out of stock. Amazed I ask them to check everywhere. They do and still find no stock. I ask them to call the other store. Ah, they have enough.

As I make my way to the other store, which is 25 minutes away it seems as if I’m in a time shift and it takes forever. I finally get to the store and tell them who I am and they said they were getting worried about me as it took so long.

They are putting the order together with ribbons and boxes and I say, “So how about that discount?” The women look at each other and say oh we’ll give you the Friends and Family discount of 30%. WoooHoo – I got my discount after all. Shotgun Shopping really worked.

One of the women also had some additional information that would help my business land a particular contract and that was just an added bonus.

All it took was the drive and remaining calm in the face of the obstacles along with remaining focused on the objective. The discount and the right product.

So by now you may wonder what the product was. It was the Rose fragrance from Jo Malone. Just love the stuff and it’s such an amazing gift.