"Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life. Failure comes when we shrink from them."
--- John C. Maxwell
In everyday business there are challenges. Some are smaller than others, but they are all things that challenge us, and require our attention on a daily basis. If we are not equipped to handle these challenges, they will eventually begin to erode away portions of our business like storm surges washing away sand dunes from the beach. It starts out small, almost unnoticeable and then before we know it, our business is faltering. The key to avoiding these erosions is to face the challenges head-on and rely on a few good tools.
Probably one of our greatest challenges right now is this Coronavirus that has dominated news stories and scared the dickens out of a lot of people. Regardless of how you feel about the virus, whether it is something to be concerned about or not, it does affect your world. When faced with this challenge, (or any kind), there are three tools you can use to help you and your business get through it.
"Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity."
--- Stephen Covey
The first thing we all need to do is to face the challenge. In other words, don't pretend that it isn't there. Face it with gusto and begin taking action today. Make sure your team members are safe, contact your customers to check on them, strategize a plan to alter how you conduct business, but can still work profitably.
"We were all born with a certain degree of power. The key to success is discovering this innate power and using it daily to deal with whatever challenges come our way."
--- Les Brown
Next, act like a leader. When you study all the great leaders of the past, Winston Churchill, General Patton, Ronald Reagan, and more, you find that many of them didn't have a plan in place or even knew what they were doing. Some of them even confessed in their autobiographies that they faked it until they made it. You can do the same. Your team members, customers, and other stakeholders, are expecting you to lead and not hide your head in the sand. Start taking steps immediately, even if you're not sure they are the right steps. Some action is better than none. Eventually, you will find the path you need to take.
"Only by contending with challenges that seem to be beyond your strength to handle at the moment you can grow more surely toward the stars."
--- Brian Tracy
The final tool you have for facing and overcoming challenges is information. There is so much information available to us than even just five years ago. Research all you can about the challenge and talk to others who may have faced the exact same challenge in the past or can at least help you brainstorm what can be done for your particular situation.
You will find that most people are more than willing to help and if they can't offer a solution, they can at least serve as a springboard to bounce ideas off. Use your network to provide information as well as support and encouragement. You can overcome your challenges.
"Even the securest financial plan and the finest health coverage aren't enough to hold us steady when the challenges come... We need something more, something deeper and unshakeable, something that will see us through life's hard times."
--- Billy Graham
Surviving and Profiting from the Economy, Intentionally
By Mark E Battersby
Regardless of whether an inevitable slow period results from the economy, from competition or from other sources outside the control of the business owner or manager, it is never too late to employ slow period survival strategies in your sign business.
Read the article...
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On a sign at a Georgia State Park:
"Soccer Not Allowed - Soccer May Only Be Played In Archery Range"
Detour sign in Kyushi, Japan:
As seen on a hair stylist window:
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