“Pain looks like a lot of things. You may not recognize it when you see it.” - Terri Guillemets, "Faces & temptation," 2003

With the tectonic shifts in the American and global economy, businesses are not only having to win the battles of the marketplace, but the battle of mindset. When the riptides of change are set against you or your business, how does your organization survive? How do you win (which sometimes winning is survival)? In the environment of predators and prey, how do you not become prey when there are a glut of predators? Explore with me as we delve into the paradigm shift that success is going to require for survival during these times.

There are a lot of financial experts, insurance agents, web developers, business coaches, CRM gurus, and lead-gen organizations all targeting business owners as their target market, myself included. Why is this? Well, the business to business marketplace is where a lot of growth can occur for growing businesses. But what about the business owner who knows they need help, and they're having to watch their budget or trying to figure out when the right time to pull the trigger on certain items or programs they will need to achieve the level of success they desperately want?

With business comes pain, learning, growth, mistakes, and triumphs along the way. It's a journey for sure! And it's the journey that makes it beautiful.

I love hearing the stories of business owners who against all odds win in the face of adversity that would crush most people. These same people are the strongest, most determined people I've ever had the privilege to meet. Seeing the genuine joy on their faces as new trials arise. The gratefulness of living life to its fullest even in the face of a tidal wave of opposition is what this life is about.

So, for those new and seasoned entrepreneurs who are struggling mentally, financially, and relationally here are a few things I've learned to help you shift your mindset paradigm during these times.

1. Success is a moving target - What looks like success today will be failure tomorrow. Celebrate your wins and learn from your losses. Both success and failures are teachers to those who pay attention. Success teaches you what works, and failure teaches you the opposite.

2. Always be of service - Your business is a problem-solving machine. If your business is not solving a problem for its clients you don't have a business. The bigger the problem, if managed properly, the better your business can do.

3. Fail Forward - Failure is only turned to defeat if you quit. Just because you fell in the mud doesn't mean that the battle is over. Get up and keep moving. Most businesses fail right here. Learn the lessons and keep moving your feet.

4. Develop a Culture of Love - This one gets a lot of folks. The difference that you can make by showing love to your community and clientele will truly impact you, your community, and your business. Communities rally around businesses that care about them. Show up for your community and develop a reputation of love and see what a difference it makes.

5. Don't Forget Your Family - You may be building your business for the betterment of your family, but don't forget they love and want to spend time with YOU! If it's just you and your spouse or if you have children be sure to constantly work on your marriage. If you have small children, they are only small for a little while, so be sure to carve out time for them daily.

   

6. You are NOT alone - Finding a community of business owners who share in your values is a must! Other business owners ofttimes have valuable perspectives on what you can do to improve your processes and grow your business.

7. Operate Your Business With Purpose - When the excitement of your new business wears off let the purpose for opening your business propel you to push through the hard times. Hard times come for every business, it is only those businesses that develop systems and the heart of fortitude that succeed.

8. Build on Your Strengths, Staff Your Weaknesses - There are so many self-help experts out there wanting you to work on your weaknesses, and that's not wrong. As a business owner you should develop the skill to do every facet of your business. But don't let that basic ability to operate each of the jobs in your business keep you from allowing more talented people do a better job in that AOR. Focus on what you do best and allow others to thrive in their giftings as well!

9. Ask for Help!! - There are many businesses that are built around helping other businesses succeed and to assist them with their pain points. Don't be afraid to have sales conversations even if you don't buy anything. Surveying the landscape of tools that are built to help you succeed is not a waste of time, and can help you to forecast and plan for the future of your business. Remember, if you don't explore options for your business you won't know what's out there. Find trusted advisors that can help you sort through the options and find the solutions that are right for you.

10. Take Care of Your People! - This is one of the biggest contention points for many business owners. Not that they don't want to take care of their people but many of the programs out there are expensive and let's face it, many employers get taken advantage of in this area. Don't let it stop you though. Being afraid of setting up programs like benefits packages, retirement packages, among other things takes your business out of the running to secure and retain top talent that could take your business to the next level. There are financial incentives available to help you offset the cost of implementing such packages.

You started a business for a reason, define for yourself why that is. Tell the story, write down the purpose for why you're doing what your doing. Don' be afraid to make mistakes, they will happen! As you incorporate these principles into your business your mindset will change your paradigm from focusing on your trials to being able to withstand any adversity that gets in your path. I hope this gave you some encouragement, and helped you to obtain the mindset necessary to navigate the waters ahead. You can do this, you can make it, your time is NOW! So let the winds of adversity propel you and your business into creating the legacy you deserve.