If you're like me you aren't perfect. In fact (surprise) you make mistakes even with the best intentions only to discover yet ANOTHER thing you need to work on (note to God: "seriously?") If you don't have these experiences than I charge you to begin to examine your life because truly you may not be paying attention.
Do you ever do this: You could be having the best day ever with full intentions to only have a good day. Everything seems to be working just as you've prayed and hoped. Then something bad happens, just one thing, not a series of things, just one. That one bad thing though becomes the biggest baddest thing that could have ever happened to you and it completely negates all the good that is currently going on in your life.
You begin to fill completely paralyzed by the 'what's next" as you can't seem to move forward. Or in your business, your sales drop, drastically, you have vendors to pay, but you don't have the funds coming in swift enough to cover your debts. The feeling overtakes you and your only thoughts are on the fact you don't have cash or your sales are sluggish. It's all negative energy. All the good in your business can't hold a torch to that 1 single bad thing that is happening in your business or life. You're paralyzed.
MOMENTS OF CLARITY WHEN EVERYTHING IS "RIGHT"
I had a call with a client last week where we had one of those special moments of clarity where she "GOT IT" so big that we both were overjoyed and I was near tears. It felt great that she is now able to see a vision or path for her business that is not only crystal clear, but profitable. I realized how that moment was able to happen. It wasn't anything special that I did, but it was my energy. I had recently made the commitment to focus only on the GOOD that was going on around me, despite the negative energy that was coming my way. With that I started seeing and making better business decisions, finding new opportunity and therefore being a better business advisor.
The same day I received an email from a client who mentioned that her sales were sinking (something I know all to well) and it was effecting her cash flow. This HAPPENS to the best of every business, that's why we're always tweaking new marketing strategies and why it's important to build an infrastructure within your business. So when I read her email I knew immediately what to do, instead of focusing on trying to inject some random strategies or some quick fixes, she probably was in the same space many of us get into when things are not looking "right", focusing on what was NOT working, low bank balance, low sales, low client interaction. I knew (again from 1st hand experience) that what she needs to do is focus on the WHAT IS not the WHAT'S NOT.
Her breakthrough isn't coming from fixing what's NOT working, it comes from focusing on what IS working.
FOCUS ON THE WHAT IS IN YOUR BUSINESS
It happens at some point or another that you have clients or a client who doesn't pay, a sell you were hoping didn't work out, or your business is in a dry spell that seems to last too darn long, or the bills are coming in faster than you can get client billing in. I GET IT! So what do you do?
I suggested she ask herself these same 5 questions I asked myself:
"Katrina, but this doesn't help me get some quick cash in!" Well then you probably should just head on back to your 9 to 5 job if that's the goal! There are no quick fixes, but as an entrepreneur you have no room to focus on the negative. Slow sales, no sales only requires just 1 minute of negative thinking, just long enough to acknowledge there is an issue. As the leader, head, BOSS of your business it is your DUTY OBLIGATION, MANDATE to always look forward and push through any negative situation in your business (and life for that matter). It therefore requires you to focus your energy on the positive, focus on the WHAT IS working in your business, and begin to pour your energy into ONLY that YES you will begin to see a break through. Your business WILL increase.
Time to get the GUNK out of your business by ridding the bad "stuff" the negative talk, energy from others or focus on the what not and focus on the WHAT IS.
If this is you ask yourself, WHAT IS working in your business right now? Where can you maximize your Black Friday sales based on what IS working? You want positive change in your business? begin by focusing on the positive.
Until next time,
P.S. Let me know your thoughts! Where do you see your negative thoughts getting in the way from your progress?Even if you disagree, let me know what you think. What more and more strategies? well let me know :-) I'd love to hear from you, leave me your comments, questions.
Comment by Janice, Productivity Strategist on November 28, 2011 at 10:26am Lots to think about here, Katrina. Thanks for the post.
Comment
Dave Baldwin posted an event
Lois B LeSavoy posted a discussion
Gaynor Fries, 919 Director left a comment for Charlie Fortune
Pam Horton posted a status
Articles by Pepper P OldzieyPepper P Oldziey is attending Pat Howlett's event
© 2013 Created by Pat Howlett.
You need to be a member of The 919 Local Business Network to add comments!
Join The 919 Local Business Network