When asked to write about a common business mistake, I
immediately started a list of all the things we business owners do - or don't
do - that are mistakes. You know that list; you probably play your own version
through your head. Things like:
- We don't follow up with potential clients or properly acknowledge referrals.
- We don't plan well or stay organized.
- We don't market enough, with a USP or brand as our focus.
But,
to me, the biggest mistake made most often is being a-scared.
Being a-scared is
more than not liking spiders or worrying your skirt
might be hiked up
inappropriately. A-scared is that made up
word
from my childhood that meant being so frightened it's paralyzing.
Being
a-scared makes it impossible to move forward or even maintain
a position. It
makes you take steps backward and as business owners,
we let ourselves get
a-scared - too often. It looks like this:
- You know you’d get more accomplished if you hired a VA or assistant. Why don't you? Yep - a-scared. You're thinking, "What if I can't pay them? What if I don't have enough to keep them busy and I'm wasting money." So you do nothing.
- You are behind on invoicing and paying your bills. The money is there, you just don't have time to make deposits or write checks. Again, being a-scared prevents you from investing in software or a bookkeeper. You're paralyzed and you add to the six months of paperwork stacked up. You do nothing to improve the situation and are dreading tax time!
- You have a great idea for a marketing campaign. You know it would increase your business. A-scared - squared. You’re afraid it will be so successful that you can't handle it all or, on the other hand, you're afraid it will flop and be a waste of money. So you do nothing.
- Nights are spent staring at the ceiling for hours. Why aren't you sleeping? Yep, a-scared. Too wound up to sleep and too exhausted to make a clear plan or find solutions. Your personal relationships are floundering because of too many hours away. Your home and vehicle need attention and you're avoiding the issues. So what do you do? Nothing, except start the next day exhausted and foggy.
Being a-scared becomes the norm and pretty soon, every day
is filled with backward business-killing steps. It's easy to say don't be so
afraid. Rational and realistic people know a little fear keeps us from making
some ill-advised decisions. But being a-scared can keep us from making any decisions.
So, start by acknowledging you feel a-scared. And then begin
with just one decision. It doesn't have to be a big one - just one that will
make a change for the better.
Continue to build and pretty soon, you might feel cautious
or uncertain, but you won't be a-scared - at least not all the time. You'll
consciously know that nothing good- or bad- lasts forever. And, if you make a
mistake, just apologize to everyone (and yourself) and try something else.
Remember, if you don't like something, you can change it,
you're not a tree - and you don't have to be a-scared.
Elaine Whitesides
