Responsibility
One of the common traits of very successful small business owners is that they take responsibility for everything in their business. And I mean EVERYTHING.
When owners do not take responsibility, they see themselves as victims. This victim mentality stops them from moving forward, and actually gives them and excuse to not take appropriate action.
Here are just a few of the excuses I hear as a business coach:
"This town just doesn't support my business."
"My customers don't understand what we're doing here."
"I could do so much better if I could find the right employees."
An unsuccessful business owner identifies an issue, lays blame, holds that blame as a truth, and continues to act as if there is nothing that can be done. That's the easy way out. By blaming others, they don't have to take responsibility themselves.
A successful business owner accepts everything that happens in their business as their own responsibility. Sales are down? They will analyze and refine their marketing effort. Customers don't understand them? The owner sees it as his/her fault for not making it easy, and then rolls out a customer awareness or education program. Employees aren't performing well? The owner sees it as either a hiring or training issue and addresses it.
Just like in business, the same is true in life. The people we think of as heroes have all taken on terrible adversity. So what is the difference between the ones that overcome it and the ones that succumb to it? The ones that have overcome their adversity took responsibility for it, and charted a path to move past their obstacle.
There's a rule in golf that really explains it all. You have to play the ball where it lies. Where you are is where you are. When a lousy golfer hits a terrible shot, they blame the ball manufacturer, the golf course, the golf course designer, the club they used, the foursome on the next hole that made noise during their backswing, the sun, the weather for the past week, their terrible instructor... The list can go on and on. The rest of the folks playing don't want to hear any of this. Play the ball from where it lies, and keep headin' toward the hole. It's really that easy.
The past does not equal the future. Where you've been does not determine where you have to go. Take responsibility for WHERE YOU ARE NOW, and choose your path from here.
Till next time...
Jerry
PS - Jerry's class "Planning and Launching Your Small Business" is being offered through the Windsor Connecticut Adult Education office. To find out more about the class,Click Here.
2004 Jerry Wistrom and All Out Coaching, LLC
All rights reserved.
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