Are you watching/listening to the swirling craziness in the media today?  Does it give you pause, and make you feel undecided about success? If you are reading this newsletter, I’m guessing you are looking for a bit of inspiration!

Could the media reports be any more disheartening? We’ve had a major IT disruption, an assassination attempt, new election challengers, and lots of fussing and fighting about the Olympic Games. These events create uncertainty and cause people to question how to gain momentum and confidently accomplish their dreams.

Dreams! Are you allowed to have them? Should you follow them? Will you be successful?

In my world, the future lies in two places: uncertainty or complacency. Choose uncertainty!

As a business owner, I walk this walk every day.  And each day, I mentor others who confront fear and complacency head-on in order to create positive change. What sets them apart?

A Plan

A Purpose

A Posse (family, mentors, camaraderie)

Plan: When you decide to diversify into a semi-passive franchise, or leave your career with a total commitment to a business, you need a Plan. Do you remember that old saying “make a plan, work the plan”? A lot goes into a plan, like financial goals, time commitments, market research, competitor analysis, seasonal and economic timing, and so much more.  Even the most thought-out and thorough plan will need to adapt and pivot, as surprises cannot all be accounted for.  But if you have a plan and have planned for uncertainty, those surprises will not throw you off of your goal.

Purpose: Simon Sinek challenges us to “know your Why.” This is your purpose. You need to think through the strategy to accomplish your purpose, but first, you need to define your why. Why are we having this conversation? Why will owning a business improve your quality of life? Why is this the best choice? Why will others deter you? A defined purpose will help you stay the course when others challenge you or when complacency filters into your brain. Defining “Why am I doing this?” will keep your head above water when that inner voice asks you (in the middle of the night), “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?” If you know this, you will avoid sleepless nights.

Posse: The Posse is the most important element of success I hear from other business owners. Surround yourself with like-minded, driven, determined go-getters who will acknowledge your ambition for achievement. They have been in the same trenches and will understand your war stories. They will share their strategies and execution, both emotional and tactical. They will not let you slide into the dark side of complacency. They will challenge you to confront uncertainty and excel.

If you desire to move forward with your dreams, you must embrace uncertainty and let go of what is holding you back.

Don’t be a tree.  If you don’t like where you are, MOVE!

Call me for inspiration.  I am walking your journey every day as a business owner.