As we finish out this month and our discussion on spring I wanted to talk about one last and very important topic when it comes to spring and life and our businesses. One of the biggest aspects to spring is that it means life. I see so many unfortunately dead and lifeless businesses each day. It makes me sad to think that somewhere between their creation and now the spark has disappeared. While I do know that some businesses are meant to exist for only a (short) period of time, I still feel sad about it, just like I do knowing that dogs only live about 15 years. Don’t give up on your business yet if you’re able to identify with the lack of spark, let’s talk about it first.
First, just about every one and every thing goes through seasons of “winter.” This is when we do let go of things, things die down, things slow down etc. Don’t be ashamed or concerned because you’re going through this season, take the time to work on that which you’ve been putting off, or do the cleaning up that you’ve been meaning to do for a while.
Second, know that people would much rather buy from someone who is cheerful and looks like they enjoy what they’re doing and that the business is alive, if not thriving, rather than one who is not. If you’re not feeling the passion, take a back seat for a while and let your team do more of the interaction, or decide that it’s time to move on.
Third, if you don’t want to move on and don’t have a team you either need to hire one and/or need to rediscover your passion and excitement for and about what you do. Create a schedule that allows for some balance of life and work. Take time to really think about what you do and how you do it and see if there isn’t a better way to do everything. Or maybe it’s time for a fresh coat of paint or a new location or rearranging your office.
I hope that you got into your business because you were passionate about it, not (just) for reasons of money. But it turns out that when we’re happy doing what we’re doing we actually have a better chance of being successful. So this week take time to explore your business spark, and if you don’t know, it’s time to find out!