The Sky is Falling, the Sky is Falling!  (continued)

Our emotions tend to override everything else we may “know” about a situation. In my previous article, we talked about how our beliefs and behaviors affect our decisions.

Additionally, it is important to know the facts of how good — or how bad — a situation is. This concrete information, when combined with your appropriate attitude, will help you take the proper actions to meet the demands of your ever-changing business.

To begin your quest, remember to temper – or blend – what you hear in the news with the things that you can measure. What is your industry experiencing as a whole? What about similar busiensses in your geographic area?

What are your numbers telling you every month? If they’re slowly dwindling, then use that information, but bring it into context. If you’ve been in business for more than a year, you understand that one dip in the trends does not equate to doomsday!

The information you’ve uncovered is something concrete to work with. I’m happy to share this f ree analysis tool that can provide you with a starting point in asking the “numbers” questions about your business.

Then take it a step further.

The key ingredient here is curiosity. Ask a lot of questions – of others, of your employees, and of yourself. Trust your instincts. Gather your information and then decide a reasonable course of action. Put some measuring points in there so that as you see certain things happening, you can take small, corrective steps. You've learned these things along the way as you built your business. Likewise, these things are easily forgotten when a shroud of negativity begins to consume us.

In summary, listening to the messages out there is important. Prudent business people use that information as just ONE source while gathering their data. Just remember to evaluate your attitudes and beliefs as thoroughly. Combining your data discoveries with your emotional mindset will help you make confident decisions.

Remember . . .  It’s Your Business!

Coach Darlene

PS. Could you benefit from a 30-day comprehensive look at the most critical elements of your business? Check out It’s Your Business – a unique, business development program that I’ve put together with fellow coach, Kim Pichot of Complete Success.