Who could have anticipated at the beginning of 2008 that we would be in the midst of an epic economic meltdown? Not many. I was thinking back to an event I went to in early March 2008 which featured Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP MorganChase. At that event, he talked about how the mortgage crisis was more or less behind us and we should start to see improvements in the economy by the3rd or 4th Quarter of 2008. Even as recently as eight months ago, Jamie Dimon was expecting positive economic trends at this point in the year. No one has a crystal ball!
My words of encouragement here: Focus on What You Can Control!
There are only two things you can control in this world–your attitude and your effort. Now is the time to remember this mantra. There will be many things that will happen in the next six to nine months that will be well beyond your control. And, if the current economy is a predicator of those events, some will not be positive. Our response to those events and challenges is in our control and our response is what must drive us.
When I find myself frustrated with my business and start to feel things are not swinging in my direction here are the two things that I immediately focus on:
1. Not owning the negative. Chicken Little was well-known as a poster child for the ‘sky is falling’ syndrome. I have seen complete organizations freeze in their tracks and stop working because there was a rumor of a merger or layoffs. When you start to focus on the negative, the negative is what you become. The negative becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Yes, negative things will come at you. The challenge is to recognize its potential to stop you cold and force yourself to turn away from it. The best response is to celebrate your successes as you continue to move your business in a sustainable direction–even in the face of adversity.
2. Celebrate the small victories. Finding things to celebrate focuses your time and energy on positives and makes you take your mind off the negative. Consistently celebrating successes gives you no time to engage in negative energy. Small victories are things like good meetings, great feedback from your client, a contact or accomplishing a challenging task. We accomplish many little, yet important things everyday. Congratulate yourself on the great things you are accomplishing and spend zero time or energy on those things that will slow you down. When you energize yourself through your successes you will have little time to focus on bad things. Tell yourself, “I am just too busy being successful here to worry about failure.” When you feel good about winning, you will keep on finding ways to win.
I fondly remember a scene toward the end of the movie Parenthood where Steve Martin is lamenting his wild and turbulent life. In walks his Grandma and she begins talking about the joy and fear and elation of riding the roller coaster at the fair. And, how that experience is much more satisfying and fulfilling than riding the safe and dull merry-go-round. This is a great metaphor for the entrepreneurial experience. We are definitely in the midst of the wildest and craziest roller coaster ride imaginable. We have already decided to take the ride–we might as well embrace, enjoy and celebrate it. Have fun, enjoy and celebrate your journey!