5 Tips to keep business progressing when life throws a curve ball
Well 2020 has had a bit of a business curve ball thrown at it! I know it’s tough right now; trust me my business has taken a knock too. It has not been easy to feel optimistic right now about achieving those goals for the year that we set in January before the craziness happened.
#1 Don’t give up
I laid out my goals in a goal mountain which I have displayed on my stairs, so I see it multiple times a day. The nice thing about my mountain is the summit or blue-sky goal hasn’t changed but the steps leading up to it can be filled in every 90 days. I think this has proven especially useful now. I have recently filled in the steps to get me through my next 90 days. I was able to pick tasks that became relevant to the situation we are in. This would be equally useful at any time; think of a route changing even when a destination doesn’t.
If that final goal is still your blue-sky dream for this year, then don’t let unexpected diversions stand in your way.
Photo by Remi Yuan on Unsplash
#2 Keep connected with your why
When you set that blue sky goal you knew it was a long term aim and the journey ahead couldn’t be entirely mapped out straight away but you selected that goal based on your “why.” Why do you run your business? Why do you want to achieve that goal? Reminding yourself of why you want this will help you dig your heels in and keep going. It should even help you find opportunities along any diversions.
#3 Seize opportunities
This is actually what has happened to me; due to lockdown and not having any commitments away from home meant I had the opportunity to join The Tribe, a members group set up by the bright and motivational Sarah Cook from Come Network With Me. Prior to C-19 lockdown, physical logistics has prevented me from joining this group but like many other businesses Sarah moved her activities and networking community fully online and without travel time and constraints of the school run, I was able to dive in!
I was still actively working on my business by joining The Tribe; I was expanding my network, building relationships and it was a boost to my motivation to have this programme of events to show up for.
#4 Small positive steps
Without that boost of motivation and involvement, I would not have found the opportunity to take a very new but positive step forward in my business. After chatting (via zoom obviously) to some of the other Tribe members at a networking lunch. I listened to one of Sarah’s lives where she created an impromptu 6k challenge designed to keep revenue moving in the business community. I thought this was a fab idea but initially could not see a way how my services could fit the criteria. However, through that earlier conversation Sarah knew I had a passion in brainstorming ideas for others and suggested I set up a ticketed group session. This piece of out of the box thinking took my seed of an idea and made it flourish.
Photo by Max Kleinen on Unsplash
Now I have run my first group event (which sold out within a week), I have developed a series of sessions to follow on creating a new style of service to offer my clients. I was so nervous about how popular these sessions would be, luckily for me the practical implementation was easy for me. If you have an idea but you are not sure how to make it a reality, do contact me for a Free of Charge chat on what practicalities you need. Stepping outside my comfort zone has definitely helped me, it is a positive step up my goal mountain towards the top.
#5 Brainstorm until the storm passes
As I have already mentioned I love a good brainstorming session; they really spark my imagination! I find new things pop into my head as I go through the process. The joy is that random layout means it doesn’t matter what order the ideas come out.
If you’re brainstorming in this current situation to try and keep moving forwards, can I suggest a few ideas to get you started:
• What are you struggling with?
• What are you good at/what do you enjoy?
• What could you do that’s useful, that you are not doing now?
Do not forget to be honest, write down anything you don’t have to share these after all. I often find I do the original brainstorm topic which brings up any ideas. Then when I want to work on a point, I do a whole new brainstorm to work through that point.
When I say brainstorm until the storm passes, I don’t mean until you don’t like doing it. I just mean go through the process until all the thoughts are on paper and the way forward becomes clearer. It usually pops out to you and the desire to take action takes you away from the storm.
I really find a power in brainstorming, so much so that my series came to life from it. As well as group sessions, I also offer 1:1 sessions. If you would like to try either of these sessions, please contact me.