How do you know when to stop and switch gears or keep going and wait for the return on your efforts?
I got this question in an email recently and thought I'd share my response, because we've ALL asked ourselves this question somewhere along the lines.
If you use my favorite analogy of climbing a mountain as a way to think about building your business, this question is much like asking "Are we lost? Because we've been hiking for-ever! When are we going to get there?"
You're effing tired. And SO ready to be there already! This is not the fun walk in the woods you had envisioned. When you're not sure what's going on or feeling lost (aka hopeless), there are a few things you can do to ensure you're on track.
In the mountains we might need to stop to check the map, drink some water, or adjust our pack. In business, I recommend starting with the following:
Review your actions.
This is why tracking (as boring as it can seem) is SO important. If we can look at the actions we've taken week after week, month after month, and start to connect the dots, we get answers about what's working...and what's not. If you're thinking "I've been doing so much work and nothing is happening!" it's probably a really good time to look at what you've actually done.
Are you just posting on social media, or are you creating relationships? Are you being consistent in your actions, or just doing allofthethings like caffeinated toddler? Are you putting in the time and effort required, or does it just feel like it? ;-)
Just last week I was bent out of shape because I didn't hit the goal I wanted, but when I looked back at what I'd actually done (and what I never got around to), it made total sense why I didn't hit my goal. It was annoying, but at least now I know what I need to do.
Shake it up.
As much as I talk about consistent action, there comes a point where if you're not getting traction, it's time to shake it up. I'm not talking giving into shiny object syndrome just because you're bored. I'm talking about if after you've put in a ton of time or just feel stuck, doing something new can be invigorating.
That might be reaching out to someone who feels like a stretch, or it might be collaborating with another business owner for a promotion. It might mean challenging yourself to tell 3 new people EVERY SINGLE DAY for a month what you do (you'll have to get creative to find those folks). It might mean getting a little bit vulnerable and asking for help in a new way. Who knows, but when I'm feeling like nothing is working, I know that I need to shake it up and try something new.
The key for me here is usually tuning into that whisper, that voice that says "you know what might be kinda fun..." If I'm going to shake things up, it's gotta come from a place of feeling good. I make it clear that I'm just doing it out of curiosity because I WANT to. That tends to takes the pressure off and allows me to be creative.
Recommit.
Finally, check in with yourself and recommit. It's easy as shit to commit to this path before we're actually on it. Everyone wants to stand on top of the peak before they start hiking...But once we're trudging along it can seem like an insane route to take. Just check in to see if the bigger goal/mission/vision still lights you up.
Sometimes we get so stuck in trying to be acceptable and safe, we end up doing things because we "should" and end up losing track of what we truly want.
Ask yourself what you really want, and if you need to realign your business with your desires. Because it's definitely not enjoyable to spend your precious time heading up a mountain you didn't want to climb in the first place.
Once you're aligned, commit to that vision and find a belief to support the person you need to be to get there.
Whaddaya think? Willing to give it a go?
Really stuck? Like maybe your map is floating down the creek and you're huddled under a tree in a rainstorm?
Let's talk. I bet we can figure it out!
Grab a free, no-pressure brainstorming session to get you moving again.