3 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL BEHIND IN BUSINESS

This week I was asked a “Get to Know You” question- “What Is One Thing You Don’t Mind Waiting For”.  To be honest with you I was stumped.

While I wouldn’t classify myself as an impatient person, I don’t like having to wait. (The only exception would be if I am driving and I have a cup of coffee and I have a few sips left to drink before my destination and I have to stop at a red light. I don’t mind waiting at the red light because I can savor those last few sips before the light turns green and I arrive at my destination.)

Recently, I finished a project I was working on and I was super excited about it. I couldn’t wait to put it out there to the world. I just knew it would be an instant success.

Until it wasn’t.

Yes full transparency, this girl boss branding expert’s new project landed a big giant goose egg.

So what do you do when things don’t exactly go the way you want them to in your business? When you have the goose egg moments?

Through my years as a business owner of 3 small businesses, I have found that there can be three directions that you can take when results don’t come as quickly as you hope.

1- Regroup

Many times in business we work really hard on something or get locked in to a certain approach.  It is so easy to do, especially when the “experts” tell you that it will guarantee you instant success. Don’t be afraid to change your approach or go a different direction with a service or product that isn’t working. As a business mentor once told me- “Don’t be so precious with it!” I don’t know if you have ever seen Lord of the Rings, but in the movie Gollum becomes obsessive over this ring.  He calls it his “precious”. Gollum’s obsession with the ring not only drove him crazy, caused him to do things he otherwise never have done, and it ultimately cost him his life. What my mentor was trying to say was to not become like Gollum was with the ring and to let it go instead of doubling down.

Instead evaluate your results and then develop a new strategy. What worked? What didn’t? Look for the smallest details that either did work or seemed aligned with you.  From there, try a different approach.  Did you try marketing yourself on Facebook with no success? Try a different visibility tool that your ideal clients use to sell your product or service!

Regroup don’t give Up!

2- Wait

You probably don’t like that one. I don’t either if I’m being honest.  The truth is, if you want a long term viable product or service that people trust and know they can rely on, it will take time to build.  Yes, there are some companies that experience overnight success.  The truth is that success can be a roller coaster ride- peaking and then plummeting. While the peak might be fun, truly successful business owners create lasting results. In the end, you don’t want to be like Vanilla Ice or MC Hammer with only one hit wonders.

So in this waiting phase, look for opportunities. Is there someone you can reach out to that can help you market your product? For instance, is there a blogger that you follow that you could do a blog take over with to create awareness among their readers of not only your service or product but also how you are uniquely positioned to help them?  Is there an upcoming local or virtual event that you could be part of that you could network with other business owners?  While you might or might not sell anything, you could develop connections that will go far in the end (remember- personal recommendations and referrals are gold!)

Take advantage of what is in front of you right now.

3- Step away.

No I’m not saying abandon your business or product.  I’m saying take a break and change your focus. This is one lesson that I learned when I took a maternity leave earlier this year. When I took the opportunity to step away from the project, I gained a new perspective on the business and a different direction that I could take it in. When I was neck deep in the day to day of the business, I was so focused on making things work that I became very myopic in my view of the business and the project I was working on.

While you may not be able to take time off of business, you can change your focus for a while.

Focus on another aspect of the business that you hadn’t had much time for.  For instance if you are trying to sell a new t-shirt, change your focus from the t-shirt to blogging. Maybe your t-shirts using a one of a kind blend of fabric that creates ultimate comfort. Start a blog to educate people on the background of that blend and how it makes a difference- whether that is purely for comfort or if it has fair trade benefits too. This goes back to why people should care about your product. Anyone can sell a t-shirt but your business does it in an incredible way that people can buy into (literally and emotionally).

I will promise you one thing, even if you are in a waiting pattern right now, it will not last forever.  Your results may be just around the corner or your lack of progress on this one thing may lead you to something different that will take you in a much better direction.  Don’t give up my friend and remember I’m here to support you!

If you are ready for a break through in your business, check out my e-course Cultivating Your Brand