Are You Holding Your Business Back?

Another day in the life of a business owner; another day packed with putting out fires and resolving the myriad of problems that pop up. How can you avoid being consumed with the day-to-day issues and take your business to the next level of success? You must clear the mental barriers that hold you back.

DEFINING A BREAKTHROUGH

A breakthrough is, in metaphysical terms, an expansion of energy. To move from one level of energy to another, in this case, one level of success to the next, you must expand your energy. You expand your energy by moving into a place you have never been before. Many years ago, I was distributing circulars for a local supermarket owner in Brooklyn, NY, named Hank. He had owned one small store for 15 years, and made a comfortable living. Hank decided it was time to expand his operation. This was a vision and goal he had held for several years. Every time he thought about moving forward with the new location, though, he stopped himself.

Hank experienced feelings of fear, worry, panic, and discomfort when he thought about the new, larger store. These are the feelings that stop most people from creating a breakthrough. The minute someone begins to feel this much pain, the natural reaction is to retreat. To create a true breakthrough, you must be willing to go through the feelings of fear, worry, panic, and discomfort. This is a difficult road, but the rewards are great. Some people are able to address these feelings quickly, while others may remain paralyzed forever.

Hank finally opened the second store, and within three years he had added six more. This is what happens when you create a breakthrough. The first move is always the most difficult. Once you shatter those false fears and beliefs, the rest of your fears go tumbling down.

5 STEPS FOR CREATING A BREAKTHROUGH

1. FOCUS ON THE CAUSE, NOT THE EFFECT
We have been conditioned to focus on the effect of our perceived problems. If you feel your business is not generating enough sales, it is natural to attack the effect, which could be anything from not making enough sales to high employee turnover. To make a positive change you must go to the cause.

TAKE ACTION
Ask yourself, “Why are my sales slipping or not where I would like them to be? What has caused this drop in business?” How you feel is the key to all changes in your business. You must also examine all issues including a shift in the market, changes in staff, new technology, or expanded competition. The key here is going to the cause of the issue, and figuring out how and why it started in the first place; this will create a much different approach to problem solving in your business.

2. ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE THE CREATOR
Successful people accept responsibility for all aspects of their business. You must accept that you, and only you, have the power to make the changes you desire in your life.

TAKE ACTION
Look at your business and decide what you want to create right now. Write a list of changes you want to make. Ask yourself this question, “Do I believe I have the power to facilitate these changes?” These may be subtle changes, such as a price adjustment, or major, such as hiring new staff or adding additional products. This will tell you how much power you truly believe that you have to create and make the changes you desire.

3. YOU CANNOT BE A VICTIM
Becoming a victim lowers energy and weakens your power. Any time you blame outside conditions for your failure, you are acting as a victim.

TAKE ACTION
Be aware of how often you blame outside circumstances for your issues. Keep an index card on your desk and make a note each time you see the market, economy, your salespeople, or some other outside force as the problem. This will tell you how often you see yourself as a victim.

4. WILLINGNESS
You must be willing to do whatever it takes to move forward. The moment you are not willing, all of your obstacles and unconscious fears come to the surface. Lack of willingness is tied to unconscious fear. If you truly want to succeed, you must be willing to take the appropriate action and make the necessary adjustments.

TAKE ACTION
Make a list of all of the things you believe must be done to create the changes you desire. Study the list for a while and ask yourself, “Am I willing to complete every item on this list?” If the answer is yes, you are on your way. If you say no, then it will be impossible to move forward with your plan.

5. EMBRACE CHANGE
The only thing you can count on is change. Many people in today’s business market are desperately holding on to the old ways of doing business. The world is changing and you must be open to moving with it. Human beings do not like change, but those who embrace it will soar to new heights.

TAKE ACTION
Note the changes you see in your industry and marketplace. How do you feel about the changes taking place? If you are uncomfortable with these changes, you must work on accepting that they are coming and embracing them. If you resist these changes, you will slow your growth and ability to expand.