Overcoming the
Business Growth Gremlin
by Carole Hodges
Have you ever dreamed of owning
a business that runs smoothly and brings in abundant income? If you're
like other entrepreneurs, the answer, very likely, is "Yes." Is your
reality a different picture? Perhaps it is a mind-boggling list of
projects, a bank account like a leaky bucket - and no prospect of
change? You may be unconsciously resisting success.
What happens is that, like a
nasty little gremlin, your mindset hold on to the status-quo. If you
have been making efforts to grow by reading the books and taking the
classes, but are not seeing results, it is time to check in on that
gremlin.
You might imagine your gremlin
as a little froggy-type critter standing on two feet. It is facing
forward toward your future, but its beady eyes only see the past. The
gremlin claims to be your partner in growth, yet it frankly can't see
where to go. So to be helpful, the little gremlin says, "Let's just try
this. We'll see if it works." So, listening to your gremlin, you take
tentative steps forward. But you only know you are making progress when
you check behind you.
This strategy is slow, torturous
and unpredictable. It isn't long before you have a string of half-baked
goals and broken promises behind you. And worse yet, your vision of the
future is getting foggier all the time.
Does this sound familiar? Are
you ready to make a change?
You can change quickly and
easily. At the same time, change is profound and scary. It requires
courage. You have to be willing to leave your old ways behind and
become something you have never been before. You have to be willing to
participate in the creative process by accepting ALL of the
responsibility for your choices.
What does this mean for you?
- Find success models that
exemplify the type of business you are building. Notice the details of
how this business operates. What type of systems do they use for
marketing, delivery of product or service, billing, customer support?
- Make a list of the systems
you will need. Identify which systems you currently have and which you
will need to implement.
- Consider the ways you must
change in order to manage this ideal organization. What growth is
required to lead this future team? What knowledge and skills must you
acquire?
If you find yourself quaking in
your sneakers, you have it. If you find yourself saying, "Sure, we'll
see how this works," you may still be listening to your gremlin. Why?
Because if you already knew this could work, you would have done it -
rather than wandering in circles.
You tremble when you realize you
are stepping into unknown territory. You will be taking on
responsibilities you have never accepted before. Leadership,
responsibility and risk are ahead. At the same time, all the real FUN
and ADVENTURE in life requires this risk. What do you do?
SAY YES!! Step up into a bigger
YOU. Say YES to making phone calls that are uncomfortable. Say YES to
hiring a team who can systemize your processes. Say YES to growing your
speaking and persuasion skills. Say YES to the ultimate responsibility
for customer satisfaction. Say YES to increasing your financial acuity.
Say YES to whatever new skills and talents are required.
And to stay in this mode, create
a team of advisors, business/success coaches, staff and consultants who
will hold you to your promise. You will be successful when you make
sure there is no other alternative. I have seen this technique work,
for new business owners as well as those growing from $5 million to $20
million in annual revenues.
To be successful, you must start from within. It is your vision
that makes the difference. |
