Feeling stuck? Here are the four people you should make sure to have in your corner for when the going gets tough.
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
By this definition, I think quite a few business owners would qualify as insane.
But in all seriousness—as entrepreneurs and business owners, so often we get stuck in our own ways of thinking, imprisoned in our own perspectives. Like spiders spinning the same web over and over, we’re unable to see a different way through our challenges.
If this resonates with you, then answer this: Who do you have in your life that you can talk with honestly and openly about your struggles in your business? Who do you have who can listen and encourage and guide you when the going gets rough?
Unfortunately, for too many business owners—especially those just starting out—the answer is: no one.
So, to make sure you’re always moving forward—and not spinning around in circles—there are four people you should surround yourself with (credit for these goes to my friend Chris Hogan):
1. The Coach: a pusher
A coach’s role is to push you to get better, hone your skills and acquire new ones. His or her only role in your life is to help you improve and grow. They need to be someone with the ability to get you where you want to go.
2. The Challenger: an anchor
The challenger’s role is to keep you accountable to your goals. They’ll call you out if you get off track. They’re also there to help you identify obstacles getting in the way of you achieving your goals, and brainstorm how to deal with them.
3. The Mentor: a professional
A mentor is someone who has done or is doing something at the level that you want to achieve, who you can go to for sound, objective advice because they have a perspective you have not yet earned.
4. The Listener: a friend
Finally, a listener is someone you can completely open up to and relate to. Their role is not to judge; they’re there to listen and give you guidance as they are able, and to support and encourage you.
If you already have these people in your life, take a moment to identify which role they are currently playing or could play (some may play more than one of these roles, and that’s okay). If you don’t have them, seek them out. And finally, think about which of these roles you could play for someone else.
There’s an old saying that’s especially appropriate right now, as we celebrate Chanukah: A little light dispels a lot of darkness. One conversation with your mentor can give you an entirely new perspective of a problem. One word of encouragement from a friend can turn fears of failure into pride and hope. One interaction with your coach can spark your imagination and get you thinking outside your box.
Sometimes all it takes to find the “light” is to connect and learn from others who can show us the way.
This brings me to the Leaders Forum, my one-day leadership training for business owners who want to learn the proven strategies that successful leaders use to hire the right people, build a dream team of motivated employees, manage growth effectively, and scale their business with ease.
One of my favorite things about the Leaders Forum is that—aside from the information-packed day of learning and growing—you’ll spend the day sitting around a conference table with fellow business owners. It’s a supportive environment where you can connect with people who really get you—and you get them. How often does an opportunity like that come around?
Our last Leaders Forum of the year is Monday, December 25. If you’d like to join us, click HERE to learn more and apply.
And next time you have a problem you can’t seem to get out of, remember: don’t fight the darkness on your own. Seek out some light.
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