In a previous article I mentioned business being like a roller coaster with its ups and downs… This time lets look at some of the causes of this “uppsy downsy” situation.
1. I feel flat – This can be from a build up of things not going too well, everything else can be okay but the flatness you feel can cause your downhill attitude to rub off. Be aware of this happening and endeavour to keep the team in high spirits. One waqy to do this is to say “I feel a bit flat today, things have been busy and I’m a bit worn out, its not so much the team here but the workload, so guys, cut me some slack if I seem a little grumpy” This clearly states the situation so they don’t have to feel as though they are at fault.
2. $$ down you are up – You know the work load has been steady and the accounts go out at the end of the month, but the expenses are piling up and there will be too much month at the end of the money! You feel okay but the word is out that the $$ are short… the undercurrent hits the team like a dumping wave in the surf, they can hardly come up for air… In a one person business this can be a double edged sword, and who knows next month when you are flush for cash the work may well slide off the scale (the bottom ind of it!) Therefore aim to build your cash reserves to cover these situations, build a buffer between you and the bottom of the $$ jar.
3. Personal dramas – Your personal life is just that PERSONAL, so keep it that way, there are times when the “chips are down” and you want to “throw in the towel” Again this is like No 1. on the list, you can communicate to the team that things are not great for you right now, so they know its not them. Then get on with things…
4. Lack of skill – You want to do a job for a customer but you are not sure of how to go about it, so you sweat on it, lose some sleep and get yourself all knotted up… over what? Often its as simple as asking someone who has done this type of job before or doing some research to see what’s involved. If you still feel you can’t do it, ring them and say so… Better to walk away with your ego in tact than make a real mess of it working under pressure.
5. You are over it – Business seemed like such an idealistic dream at first… then reality set in, long hours, low pay (how did that happen!) and the rest of the hassles that can come with being out on your own. Take a reality check is business a long term thing for you or a short term hope for the best scenario. It’s okay to start a business, it’s also okay to close one down. To be good in business there is a lot that goes into it and sometimes the only way to learn that is the hard way.
6. Permanent bad attitude – Some people seem to be born a little grumpy, or maybe you just became that way. Acknowledge it and do some thing about it. The staff turnover will be enough to put you off being in business for too long if you have a bad attitude.
That’s the list for now, maybe you have a few things you can tell us about in the comments?
