A Business Challenge You Can’t Avoid
I don’t mean to start this off as a Debbie Downer, but a challenge you WILL face when starting your own business is finding ways to manage your emotions when experiencing both victory and defeat, positive and not-so-positive situations.
It is so easy to doubt your long-term business vision when clients don’t seem to be coming in as you had hoped or the clients you do have cancel on you at the last minute.
Surprisingly, you may end up doubting yourself and your vision when the opposite happens, as well. It can be equally anxiety-producing when your business ramps up. You feel so overjoyed, but overwhelmed at the same time.
Rudyard Kipling said it best in his poem “If” which states,
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two impostors just the same.”
This line reminds us to remain focused and not be overcome by either the positive or negative goings-on of each business day.
Go Ahead and Celebrate
This does not mean you shouldn’t celebrate the minor victories that happen every day in your business. On the contrary! Expect and celebrate those victories both big and small! The reason you are here – in business for yourself – is to have those great days, right? Just keep in mind that if you get too day-dreamy, this can distract you from doing the required work to build on your momentum, bring you to the next victory, and improve upon the positive results you just experienced.
Keep Your Chin Up
Likewise, when those inevitable disappointing times roll around, remember again to remain focused on your bigger vision. Regardless of the reason for the temporary defeat, no good will come out of you moping about it. Especially if you end up losing your drive because of it. It’s not worth it! Don’t let a temporary set-back or client cancellation distract you or take you off course. Feel the disappointment, reflect on the experience, look for the lesson, and move on.
Stay on Course
It is important to recognize that each business situation we experience is only temporary. Learning (and practicing) to respond to each of them in a similar manner will better equip you to do your best for your clients, your business, and yourself, without allowing distraction to cloud your judgment.
So, please don’t get too emotionally involved with the temporary outcomes of victory and defeat. They come and go, right? Instead, stay focused on being your best in every aspect of your business and life. That’s the long-term secret to success and fulfillment.