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My husband is a traveling IT consultant and is a frequent flyer on Southwest Airlines.
Many times, the flight attendants make flights more bearable with their sense of humor.
Recently one told the passengers goodbye with the following: “Buckle up, drive fast, take
chances, and come see us again real soon!” Although there may not be an obvious
direct connection, this humorous farewell made me think about how so many business
owners get caught up in the daily grind of work, or worse yet, the negative press
regarding the economy.
It’s an easy trap to fall into. The demands of your everyday responsibilities grow little by
little until, before you realize it, they consume every available minute of your time and all
of your energy. You find yourself working ‘heads down’—focusing on trying to get
everything done. Then, should you look up from these important but mundane tasks, you
find yourself bombarded by the media with stories about how terrible the economy is
and how hard everyone is struggling to just keep their jobs. At that point, many people,
including many bright business owners, go into what I call ‘survivor mode.’ They put their
heads back down and work even harder to just keep the business plodding along.
I doubt this describes the vision you had when you started your business. I’m sure when
you decided to go into business, you saw yourself making plans and implementing them
to make your business grow and become a source of satisfaction and affluence. But
here you are now just trying to keep it afloat.
It doesn’t have to be that way!
First, make a mental note to yourself that it’s the media’s job to sensationalize situations
to get people to tune in. They are always going to play up the unusual and usually the
downside, so don’t pay them too much attention. Remember that there have been
companies that began, grew, and thrived in even the worst economic periods this
country has faced. Just for example, Carvel ice cream company, Farmers Insurance
Group, Motorola, and United Van Lines were founded in 1928 just before the Great
Depression, and they’re still with us today.
Second, step back a little and look at where your business is and where you want it to
be. Here are just a few ideas to consider:
• Think through decisions but don’t stop making them--paralysis will kill a business
faster than anything!
• Take some calculated risks to move things forward.
• Base decisions on facts, not the emotions brought on by the media.
• Focus on positive thoughts, read positive material, and guard against negative
influences.
• If your friends are negative, find new friends.
Austin is listed as the friendliest city in the country for small businesses. Make the
decision that your business will survive and thrive in 2009. Make the decision that 2010
will be your best year yet. Then take the time necessary to put together plans to make it
happen.
Get out of the way negative people, because Austin has a group of serious
entrepreneurs ready to “buckle up, drive fast, take chances, and come see us again
soon!”
Many times, the flight attendants make flights more bearable with their sense of humor.
Recently one told the passengers goodbye with the following: “Buckle up, drive fast, take
chances, and come see us again real soon!” Although there may not be an obvious
direct connection, this humorous farewell made me think about how so many business
owners get caught up in the daily grind of work, or worse yet, the negative press
regarding the economy.
It’s an easy trap to fall into. The demands of your everyday responsibilities grow little by
little until, before you realize it, they consume every available minute of your time and all
of your energy. You find yourself working ‘heads down’—focusing on trying to get
everything done. Then, should you look up from these important but mundane tasks, you
find yourself bombarded by the media with stories about how terrible the economy is
and how hard everyone is struggling to just keep their jobs. At that point, many people,
including many bright business owners, go into what I call ‘survivor mode.’ They put their
heads back down and work even harder to just keep the business plodding along.
I doubt this describes the vision you had when you started your business. I’m sure when
you decided to go into business, you saw yourself making plans and implementing them
to make your business grow and become a source of satisfaction and affluence. But
here you are now just trying to keep it afloat.
It doesn’t have to be that way!
First, make a mental note to yourself that it’s the media’s job to sensationalize situations
to get people to tune in. They are always going to play up the unusual and usually the
downside, so don’t pay them too much attention. Remember that there have been
companies that began, grew, and thrived in even the worst economic periods this
country has faced. Just for example, Carvel ice cream company, Farmers Insurance
Group, Motorola, and United Van Lines were founded in 1928 just before the Great
Depression, and they’re still with us today.
Second, step back a little and look at where your business is and where you want it to
be. Here are just a few ideas to consider:
• Think through decisions but don’t stop making them--paralysis will kill a business
faster than anything!
• Take some calculated risks to move things forward.
• Base decisions on facts, not the emotions brought on by the media.
• Focus on positive thoughts, read positive material, and guard against negative
influences.
• If your friends are negative, find new friends.
Austin is listed as the friendliest city in the country for small businesses. Make the
decision that your business will survive and thrive in 2009. Make the decision that 2010
will be your best year yet. Then take the time necessary to put together plans to make it
happen.
Get out of the way negative people, because Austin has a group of serious
entrepreneurs ready to “buckle up, drive fast, take chances, and come see us again
soon!”
| Taking Risks by Penny Raney-Crow posted July 12, 2009 |
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Comment from a Reader:
Thanks for the reminder! How timely
have launched my business but still find
myself checking the job postings "just in
case." But you are right, if I want to be
successful, I must buckle up and take
chances--and through it all enjoy the
journey.
-- Linda
Thanks for the reminder! How timely
have launched my business but still find
myself checking the job postings "just in
case." But you are right, if I want to be
successful, I must buckle up and take
chances--and through it all enjoy the
journey.
-- Linda