Often, perspective is all we need to take the next step. That’s why in long lines at amusement parks there are timers along the way that display how many minutes you have before boarding the ride. Not knowing where we stand creates anxiety–sometimes enough to make us quit. However, it seems that we can endure the most herculean obstacles and delays as long as we know we’re making progress and will be well in the end. What I call “The Success Cycle†creates this kind of perspective for the entrepreneur.
There are four steps you must cycle through to achieve success in business:
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Struggle
Step 3: Wise Up
Step 4: Win
Identifying and understanding where you are in the cycle can give you the strength to press on.
Start
Nearly 70 percent of Americans say they’d like to start a business but only half have attempted. The mere act of starting puts you on the path toward success. How many times have people discussed what they could have done, should have done or would do? It’s all chatter until you take action. There’s a saying that cemeteries are the most valuable real estate in the world. Why? Because so many people who lay there at eternal rest passed away with brilliant, but unused, potential. The first step is the most important: Simply start.
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Struggle
This is the step that takes most people out. A few rock star entrepreneurs start a business and it goes straight to the top but typically a business is not an instant success. You have to work at it. Not only do you have to work on the business you have to become better at communicating, leading and taking action in every other area of your life too. This new territory creates struggles.
You’ll be working everyday to prove your business model and keep profits growing – or changing the business until you find what works. You will also have to constantly communicate with your spouse, significant other, family and friends, reassuring them that you are still connected and still care. Yet you’ll be spending less time with them because you have to devote a significant amount of time to making sure the business is a success. Regardless
of how much you communicate with loves ones at some point somebody is still probably going to complain that you don’t care and that you work too much. In addition to taking care of others you’ll have to be more aware of taking care of yourself.As you work through the ‘struggle’ phase, solve problems from the root. For example, as your business grows you should be able to delegate work to others so you’re not working as many hours. If you can’t do that it may be because you haven’t created processes and systems that make it simple to train someone else to take over certain projects and tasks. Or, in your personal life, you can leave work early to spend time with a loved one who is complaining but if you’re in a critical phase of business where too many short days could cause your business to fall short or fail then perhaps it’s time to have a conversation where you really are seeking to understand the other person’s needs and finding a way to help them understand yours. Finding this common ground and agreeing to what will work for both of you will give you the space to grow your business without feeling burdened by complaints and guilt.
In this phase, some of the ‘struggle’ is based on your learning curve and some based on circumstances over which you have no control. Dealing head-on with what you can control will keep you moving forward.
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Wise-Up
As you learn more about your business, customers, family, friends, finances and yourself, you will become wiser in the way you manage your business and life. This increased awareness, confidence and leadership helps you prevent problems or solve them much faster – and it enables you to take advantage of the right opportunities. In this phase you’ll begin to feel like you’re hitting your stride. You will continue to feel challenged but also very capable too.
Win
Once you hit this phase, you’ll notice life and business working like a well-oiled machine with the occasional maintenance problem, which you’ll know how to fix. This is the milk and honey you’re working for and it will feel amazing when you get there.
Some days it will take all
your strength to remain focused, patient and persistent. Yes, business can be like a roller coaster. However, if you commit to the journey, keep it in perspective and find peace with the time and work it takes to win in entrepreneurship and life then eventually you will win.Felicia Joy is a nationally recognized entrepreneur who created $50 million in value for the various organizations and companies she served in corporate America before launching her business enterprise. She is the author of Hybrid Entrepreneurship: How the Middle Class Can Beat the Slow Economy, Earn Extra Income and Reclaim the American Dream and has appeared on CNN, FOX and in other national press. Felicia operates Ms. CEO Inc., a company that helps women entrepreneurs achieve more success, faster–as well as Joy Group International, LLC, a business development and consulting firm. Follow her on Twitter @feliciajoy and see her entrepreneurship columns each week on BlackEnterprise.com.