As small business owners, we all need success strategies.
Because sometimes, through a series of disasters, we get to know that we don’t know everything. We are all learning.
We’ve all been there. Things can go wrong.
One Friday, in the early days of my business, our payroll and banking didn’t connect. We found out on Saturday morning that none of our staff had been paid.
Worse, it wasn’t just our staff; it was also 50 people we were employing on behalf of our clients.
There’s not much that will damage your reputation more, than not paying your staff on time…
…I felt dreadful.
During the years I had the business, I devised all sorts of success strategies to overcome those sort of situations. You’ll know them. Situations that made me embarrassed, despondent and sometimes absolutely hopping mad.
It happened again yesterday. I was so angry. I felt let down. I’ve been working with a consultant, and he just hasn’t delivered the goods. I was totally frustrated and furious.
I engaged the consultant to help me push my new business forward. Following his instructions yesterday, I found myself working through a series of tasks I had completed a year ago.
Repeating tasks is hardly a step forward and definitely not a success strategy. Boy, was I hopping mad. I should have been working on ways to find more profitable customers instead.
I still felt angry this morning but, in the words of Regina Brett, I know that…
“No matter how I felt, I had to get up, dress up and show up”
I couldn’t let a small set back beat me, even though I was ‘hopping mad’. I went straight back to my old ‘survival’ success strategies:
#1 It’s all small stuff
It is sometimes hard to remember when you’re angry but don’t catastrophize.
A week or a month from now it won’t seem nearly so bad. So ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’. It really is ‘all small stuff’ (thanks Richard Carlson).
#2 Power walking
Walk far, fast and furiously. Actually, even 20 minutes fast walking will lift your spirits.
If you can walk longer, even better. Walking in nature is a bonus. I walk in a rhythm and often count to 10 continuously. It stops me constantly rolling the problem around in my head. Ideas and solutions pop into my head walking this way.
#3 Exercise – punch bag or pillow
At one point before I sold my business, I had a punching bag installed in the spare room. When I felt frustrated or angry because things weren’t going according to plan, I’d give it a few big punches when I got home.
Some people go for a strong work out at the gym. Do whatever suits you to use up some of that built-up frustration.
#4 Mind map a solution
I got to learn that there’s a solution to every problem. I’ve often used a white board, pieces of paper or online mind-mapping tools to help me find the solution.
Success Strategy: Try writing a heading ‘solution’ and the numbers 1-10 down the left-hand side of a page. It forces your brain to think of 10 solutions. There’s always another way to get something done.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_youtube id=”NKu9Qns89G8″ width=”800″ height=”450″ autoplay=”no” api_params=”&rel=0 ” class=””/][fusion_text]
#5 Ask for help
I have a quote written on the whiteboard behind me just now. I love it and have found it very valuable:
‘If you want something, ask, and keep asking until you get what you want’
Only ask people who have already found a solution to a similar problem. Find a recommendation. Just keep asking until you find one.
#6 Mistakes are just there to be learnt from!
In the words of Albert Einstein:
“The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result”
I hated it when things didn’t work well in my business and I felt we’d let staff, customers or suppliers down in some way.
When I did resolve a problem I always reflected on what happened and why it happened. Then I put in place a success strategy to make sure it didn’t happen again.
And one last suggestion…
There’s one other strategy that has worked well for me in times of stress and frustration.
I’ve used essential oils for over 20 years. Historically, they are considered to gently and positively change the chemical structure of the brain.
Today I have a blend in my vaporizer: Grapefruit to soothe angry disappointment and Bergamot for self-empowerment.
Following all my old tried and tested strategies, I feel back to my positive solution-focused self already!
I hope some of my success strategies help you in challenging times too!
To your business success!
