You can whine and assign blame … or you can choose to do the best you can. Everywhere I go I hear people complaining about doing business in Rhode Island. A host of external factors can impact the well-being of your business.
If you can’t do anything about it, stop whining. Negativity, like positivity, consumes energy. The former depletes energy; the latter provides benefits that match or exceed the energy you expend. Which do you think is a better use of your limited time and effort?
A LESSON FROM THE SEA
Imagine your business is a ship sailing on the open seas. Despite your best efforts, you find yourself entering a storm and turning back isn’t an option. In addition to yourself you have a crew of eight and cargo, which is to be delivered to a company 2,000 miles away (your customer). At a time like this you might say “damn, mother nature” but rest assured, she isn’t listening. You quickly realize that bitter complaints won’t work and more importantly, taking no action may well mean the loss of your business (and in this case possibly far more).
Consider the impact and the reach of your business. For you, it’s the fulfillment of your dreams, for your family and employees it’s the means to a substantive life. To your customers, it’s the ability to obtain goods that are not otherwise available.
The impact that your business has on so many people is compelling enough to move you to action.
At a time such as this you must be a leader, unlike at any other time. Your crew is looking to you, trusting in you to provide guidance and calm. In turn you look to your crew to employ their skills, resources and stamina like never before. While the storm rages around you, you realize that you, your crew and your ship are working in tandem.
When the dawn arrives the next day, the seas have dropped, the sun peeks through the clouds and you, your crew and cargo are fine. In fact, you sense that this experience has invigorated everyone and an even greater sense of comradery envelops your team. You believe there’s not an obstacle that you can’t overcome.
The lesson to be taken away is this: There are things over which you have no control. What matters is that you have choices. You can whine and assign blame, you can permit these things to impact you as they will, or you can choose to do the best you can do despite them.
Come tomorrow I’ll be riding fair winds on a following sea; I hope I’ll see you there. •
Ed Drozda, aka The Small Business Doctor, is principal of North Attleboro-based E&D Associates.
