To Master Your Business Do Less Blaming & More Changing

Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once asserted, "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.” These words state a powerful truth that transcends time and is particularly relevant in the world of small business.

In our work with small businesses, we often coach our clients to take control of the actions that lead to success. In a world full of uncontrollable variables, the key is to focus on what you can control. The first step is recognizing that blaming external factors is counterproductive. Instead, shift your attention to the aspects of your business that you can control.

Clarity on what you can control serves as a roadmap to success. Start by making a list of everything within your business that you can control. Here's a brief starting point:

• Being an expert on your product and services
• Your ability to lead and empower your team
• Understanding your customer
• Distinguishing yourself from your competition through your marketing message
• How much time your team puts into generating leads
• Turning your customers into raving fans by creating extraordinary relationships and experiences
• Providing excellent customer service
• Quality control
• Using your financials to make smart business decisions

Challenge yourself to evaluate and master these aspects. Identify what you have control over, and it will form a solid foundation to confidently face circumstances outside your control.

Understanding the elements beyond your control is equally crucial. Make a list of external factors that could impact your business, such as:

• World events
• The current economy
• Laws that impact your business
• How your competition conducts business including their quality
• How your clients and employees’ lives impact their choices
• Prices of materials, gas, utilities, etc.

By actively engaging in this exercise, you'll quickly realize there's much more in your life that you can control than what you can't.

When faced with circumstances beyond your control, ask yourself:

• How does this impact my customers, my vendors, my team, and my business?
• What don’t I know that I need to learn about this situation?
• Is there a best practice that will help me navigate this?
• What solution will I put in place moving forward?

Stop blaming and start changing means shifting your energy towards what you can control. Understand your options, take action based on solid information, and let others expend their energy on unproductive blame. This mindset not only positions you above competitors but also ensures your business thrives in the face of external challenges.