subject: Give Up Or Go On, Is It Time To Call It Quits On Your Business!? [print this page] Eight years ago I found myself on the floor in tears. My father had just
passed away, my business was failing and my love life sucked. Oh wait!
That's always sucked (and not in the good kinda way).
I was at a cross roads in my life and didn't know which way to turn.
Have you ever experienced that? No, of course you haven't! Hmmm
Sometimes when we wake up in the morning and wipe the sleep out of our eyes
we don't always awaken to the reality we want to see.
A profitable business is nowhere to be seen, acknowledgement and praise is
way out of reach (even with a 10ft pole in hand) and our partner ends up
having a face that looks like a potato sack. My apologies go to the potato
sack.
With this awakening brings a harsh reality, the reality of not knowing
whether or not continuing your business enterprise is worth it or indeed the
best idea for yourself or those intrinsically involved with it.
But how do you really know when it's time to give up or go on?
Do any of us really have the answer? Does our ego get in the way of making a
logical decision or does the fate of the business lie outside of our
personal influence?
Seeing as you're looking for answers, let's play a little 'what if' game...
*What if... you got a contract tomorrow that turned your entire
business around?
*What if... you gave up just before you hit critical mass and things
took off?
*What if... your life lesson was to go through hardship to understand
what 'really' matters in life?
*What if... the business was meant to fail so you found your true
calling in another area?
*What if... the struggle was simply to prepare you for more to come?
What if!
What did this exercise achieve? Nothing really, it probably just caused you
to be more confused than Joan Rivers on crack!
That's the problem. Knowing whether or not a business should continue isn't
as simple as looking at the profit and loss statement for the year. It has
more to do with intangible factors that 'fortunately' for us, we have a
whole lot of influence over.
Walt Disney was a tyrant, are you?
Success can sometimes come at great cost. Look at some of the most
successful business owners, actors and celebrities in the world. In many
cases a number of them each experienced a breakdown before they experienced
a breakthrough moment. It was this breakdown that eventually gave them the
contrast of what they did and did not want in their lives and careers. For
many it was impetus for momentus change in their personal lives and careers.
Take Walt Disney for example. His numerous setbacks not only forced him to
become more business savvy but it also turned him into a tyrant as he was
known for within the Walt Disney Company. Now I'm not suggesting you become
a tyrant but take a look at the success of his business. He put himself on
the line continually and it did eventually pay off after years of slogging
it out and overcoming continual barriers.
Did you know that his studio at one stage was taken over by the military for
an entire year at his own expense? Huh, maybe your business challenges
aren't so bad after all.
Each of us get to a point in our lives in which a significant decision has
to be made. Ending or continuing a business is one of those moments that not
only has immediate impact but long term repercussions, especially centred
around our own self worth.
It isn't just about the business, it is about how much resilience you have
and whether or not you have the persistence to do what it really takes to
make it work. It is a test of personal strength.
What's farming got to do with it?
I grew up on a cattle and cropping farm and learnt very early on that you
need to be patient. I also learnt that at times you can go for years in a
drought. That means no water, no money and no wins to boost confidence in
the interim.
That however doesn't mean that you just pack everything up and give in. You
prepare the soil as you normally would and continue to plant seeds in hope
that next year is going to be different all the while employing new
strategies to assist along the way.
You don't just give up! You pull out all of the stops, diversify where you
can, take stock of where you are and lay out future plans with every
intention of achieving them.
So, my question to you is;
Do you really have what it takes to make your business work? Even through a
drought?
If the answer is yes, make your decision and stick to it. No ifs, no buts
and no going back. Your only option now is to make it a success. Sit quietly
when you're at peace and ask yourself; do I have what it really takes?
The answer will come. Maybe not immediately but it will come. Only you can
answer this for yourself, no one else, only you.
So why did I decide to continue on after my meltdown? Because it was the way
I was brought up. You pick yourself up, dust yourself off, adapt and get on
with the job.
The decision suddenly becomes blindingly simple.
For the ultimate guide to attracting & seducing more customers, purchase a
copy of Ben Angel's brand new book, Sleeping Your Way to The Top in
Business, from which the above concepts have been taken from. Go to
www.benangel.com.au for details.
by: Ben
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