By Daphne Michaels, Special for TTU
Every entrepreneur I’ve worked with has complained about the ‘roller coaster of business’ and how it makes them feel out of control. You may call it something different like the ‘ups and downs’ or the ‘good times and bad times’ — but whatever you call it, if you’re an entrepreneur or even have an entrepreneurial spirit you know what I’m referring to. And believe it or not, being on that roller coaster isn’t really a bad sign. It means that even during rough times you are accomplishing the most difficult task in business which is to remain fully engaged. You’re not letting go of your entrepreneurial drive.
While being on the roller coaster of business is no fun in the short term — in the long run, if you’re making overall progress you don’t need to be too concerned about fast turns and temporary downward spirals. Staying completely engaged in moving toward your goals is the secret to managing the wild ride.
So the real question is, “how do I stay engaged when I’m feeling overwhelmed or cautious?” The answer is this: use caution as a cue to become curious. Using caution as a cue to become curious will open your eyes. You’ll ask important questions, like, “What’s going on?” or “What is the real issue?” or “What happened to create these sharp turns?”
Stepping from caution to curiosity will help you regain control to positively influence the outcome of any challenge. So become very, very curious about your business, your goals, and your challenges.
And there’s another step to take: step two: turn your curiosity into conversation. In other words, ask for input. Sort through your challenges with another person or group. Get professional guidance. Learn something new.
Taking these two simple steps: from caution to curiosity to conversation — will help you transform your challenges and clear the way for your entrepreneurial pursuits to be fully realized.
For more information on this and more, visit my website at:
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Daphne Michaels is a leading expert in human potential and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling book, Mountaintop Prosperity: Move Quickly to New Heights in Life, Work and Money. She is endorsed by the national media and listed with the top-rated All American Speakers bureau. Daphne is a regular guest offering business advice and expert commentary on The Price of Business and other nationally syndicated BizTalk radio programs.