Have you ever had one of those days where it’s all too hard and you want to give up? Yes, me too.
They often bring with them hurdles, setbacks and downright negativity. But really they are just a day on the long road that is your entrepreneurial journey. There will be more of them, but they are considerably outnumbered by the great days where you punch your fist in the air and scream “woo hoo!” (if you’re not doing this on your good days you really should try it!)
The great days and not so great days are what make entrepreneurship such a wonderful journey. Even the most successful entrepreneurs have had downs. All will say those days still crop up, but the difference is how you react to them.
Here’s some tips on turning “one of those days” into a positive step:
- Embrace them! The days when we think the world is conspiring against us can be the best opportunity you will have to be as resourceful as you can possibly be. Often we are faced with a problem or hurdle that seems insurmountable. Dig deep to find a solution. If you can “embrace” the problem, rather than fight against it, you will deliver a solution.
- Revisit your “why”. Why do you do what you do? What is your mission? Your answers will often bring you back to “warrior” mode where you fight to find a solution and get back on track.
- Get help. Don’t battle on for the sake of battling. There are people out there willing to help, you just need to ask. The only way we can add to our entrepreneurial armour is to learn. Asking the question and seeking help is brave and shows that you are willing to learn from others to improve your business.
- Breathe. And breathe again. Go for a run or a brisk walk to de-stress. If boxing is your thing do that, or yoga, or meditation. Releasing stress can get your mind back on track and into problem-solving mode.
- Get out of your environment. Sometimes just getting out of your office, factory, shop etc can be just what your mind needs to solve your problem. Go to a cafe, park, beach, or somewhere you know you can just sit and think. I have a favourite bench seat on the cliff top that overlooks the ocean and from there I can tackle anything.
All experiences – negative, positive, stressful and calming – are learning opportunities. These experiences are hardwired into our brains, building on each other and creating the knowledge bank we require to make “better” decisions.
You know the saying “the older, the wiser”? I like to think being wise comes from one’s ability to ‘connect the dots’. The sooner we treat all experiences as learning ones, the closer we are to connecting the dots, regardless of how old we are.
Is today “one of those days”?
