"During the recession, During the recession, During the recession"
As a consultant, I notice a lot of patterns across the business owners I deal with and help. One such common patter that rears it’s head with any business owner that has been around and survived the last great recession is the title of this Tidbit. They will most often insert that statement right before they explain why they haven't done something. I'll be very clear - all business owners who went through the recession and survived know what true entrepreneurial pain feels like so I typically don’t fault them.
Though times have changed, the scars are long lasting. In most cases, those scars force the owners who went through that era to make decisions that slow their business down. They tried something during the recession, it didn’t work and so now it will never work. They are still around in business so it must mean that this is the best we can do. They accept what they have been given, stay in the safe space of not growing, and inevitably end up feeling like they are missing out.
As a brutally honest consultant, I never allow a business owners to give me the excuse of during the recession because the world has changed. If you use that excuse you have missed out on some great opportunities for growth over the last few years. But how do you overcome the pain of those scars? Again, we all get it, the pain is real. In fact, the recession isn't the only pain that has left lasting scars that cause business owners to be cynical and avoid growth. There are tons of pains that you will go through as a business owner that, if not dealt with correctly, will keep your company from the growth you are trying to achieve.
For today’s Tidbit, I give you three generic steps to overcome pain points in your business and not let them hold you back.
1. The pain is real but it isn't lasting. Just like the recession, if you made it through you can make it through. Business owners know more than any other type of person that there are no promised rose gardens in your future. It will be rough so learn from your mistakes and accept the pain as an opportunity. The market is the market, so focus on what you can control and work like hell to make it through.
2. Next, if it’s working for other people why isn't it working for you? Whether it is marketing, recruiting, hiring, etc. when you implement something, it doesn’t work out, and that pain / disappointment starts to set in, I want you to think to yourself, “it is working for someone so why isn't it working for me?” Seek counsel from experts in the specific area in which you are trying improve. Let them help you implement. Don’t accept those feelings of defeat and disappointment. Use them as fuel to find the right person that will help implement the change that will succeed.
3. Lastly, don’t stop dreaming about what your company can become. So many business owners let the vision for their company go by the way side as they achieve success. When this happens the business venture itself becomes and pain point and simply a job that they hate. Businesses have their ups and downs, but they are always very rewarding. Snap out of your success coma and remember why you started hustling for your goals in the first place.
These are just three ways to help business owners who have gone through some painful experiences and have plateaued. If your business is causing you pain then I want to help you! At Adelboden Capital + Consulting, we believe that business is an adventure. Sometimes you just need a sherpa to help you through the particularly tough, grueling, or boring parts. Send us a message or connect with us online to see how our consulting services can make a difference in your life.
Enjoy,
