There you are, you took the big step to set up your business, you planned it all out, allocated tasks, employed people and suddenly, you’re way more successful than you thought you’d be, and the rapid growth is crushing you.
What now?
First, breath. Maybe go for a walk. Take a moment to let it all sink in.
Secondly dig out your business/strategy plan and review it. Make a list of pros and cons, evaluate the risks and rewards. Stay focused.
Ask yourself certain questions: by taking on board this extra work, will I put existing business into any danger? Will I put my team under too much pressure with the risk of losing them?
Is it worth it?
We all, obviously, want to grow, but we need to keep a clear head as to how we will organise the growth.
If you have a mentor/friend in your life who you trust and consult, ask this person for help. Remember asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
Where else can you look for help?
Maybe you can find a business partner who you can outsource certain tasks to and hence make room in your own schedule.
Talk to your customer. This new project they were asking you to take on board – is it time sensitive or could it possibly be moved by a few weeks/months? Could you only offer certain parts of the project for now, as a quick fix, whilst you look for a more permanent solution, which will take some time. Offer options and alternatives.
Talk to your team. Are they walking down this path with you? Are they ready to make some sacrifices? Such as, but possibly not limited to, working more hours for a predefined period.
Most of all though, stay calm. Don’t open the champagne yet and but also don’t panic, don’t let your team feel your stress – take a step back before moving forward again.
The love and passion that you feel for what you have created can trigger your ego and we all sometimes want a bigger piece of the cake but always evaluate that it comes with a price and ask yourself if you are ready to pay that price for the fame. Don’t trade your health and/or the health of your company for a nice ego trip.
Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently.
