The Easy Way Out!

I wanted to pull back the curtain this week and share some of the challenges that I’ve been experiencing this month in my business. I’m going to share them because I want you to understand that regardless of where you are in your business, whether it’s been a week, a month, a year, or ten, there’s going to be problems. But first let me start this conversation with a question: Have you ever wanted to take the easy way out? Well, you know what? I think we all have, as entrepreneurs. After all, this can be a lonely, difficult, isolating experience for many and it certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. Having your own business is hard work! One of the keys to success in business is honoring your word to yourself. It’s a regular occurrence in business to be signing contracts and making agreements as you grow your business and invest in yourself. And there are times, on this journey, where the going gets tough. That’s when it is so tempting to take the easy way out. But here’s the thing – there IS no easy way out. There’s only copping out! That’s what I have been discovering in my own business. As you grow your business, things change – people change – and you need to make decisions in the best interest of your business. As a business coach, I know what my clients need and want. As an entrepreneur, I know what is best for my business, for my team and for me. (and I am one of the smart ones in that I am working with the most amazing business coach myself and get great guidance……so my decisions are not based on whims!) Having made some tough decisions this past month, it’s been almost unbelievable to me to see the assumptions some people are making and, therefore, some of the poor decisions they are making. And it’s making me angry because they are making these decisions without full knowledge of what has happened – and therefore, what impact it can have on them, their reputation and their own business. Some people have a knee-jerk reaction and want the easy way out. Well, that has ramifications, my friends. Taking the easy way out may seem, and feel, like the right decision at the time. I can assure you that it has many negative results though. It affects: 1) YOUR INTEGRITY. As a result of some changes, and without full knowledge of what that really means to you, the ‘easy way out’ leads some people to back out of contractual agreements. This is your word, people. You signed a contract for services – it’s up to the business to deliver on those services- and it’s up to you to follow through on your commitment. Unless you are totally being screwed around, then you are the one screwing up. As a business coach, I make decisions in the best interest of my clients – I know the whole picture – you do not. Taking the easy way out and using ‘change’ as an excuse to get out of a commitment is out of integrity – not only to the contract you signed, but to yourself as an individual. You are just cutting off your nose to spite your face. That’s just plain stupid. 2) YOUR REPUTATION. It’s a small world, people. There are many entrepreneurs who ‘coach hop’ – and word gets around faster than you realize. Don’t be one of ‘those people’. When you hire a coach, trust in that coach to have your best interest at heart. Again, you don’t know the big picture – you are making decisions to take the easy way out of your contract based on emotions. That, too, is just plain stupid. Get the facts. 3) YOUR BUSINESS. People who take the easy way out – and quit – lose out in the end. This becomes a habit. In the words of my coach, ‘the way you do anything is the way you do everything’. Stop and take a real good look at the reasons for your actions. Is it because you haven’t done the work and you’re embarrassed? Is it because it’s getting hard and you want to quit – so any little change causes you to abort? You’ve made an investment – stick with it – take responsibility for your actions (or lack thereof) and turn it around for yourself. Change is not always bad. Change is good! When change happens, it can bring bigger and better things. Don’t always go for the negative and bail! It will definitely impact your business – and not in a good way either. So, let me ask you this: HOW ARE YOU TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT? HOW WILL IT AFFECT YOU IN THE LONG TERM? DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO WORK PAST THE TOUGH PARTS TO GET TO WHAT SUCCESS TRULY MEANS?