Don’t go back to your problems: Move from a “survivor” and “economic casualty” to a winner
It’s one of those awesome summer mornings, I got up early to plan my day – I got back to basics and I don’t get into emails until I have planned my day and organised my desk. I try to start my day with coffee, reading and doing some people watching from my balcony. It is fascinating to see how the quiet main road in my suburb – Sea Point: South Africa comes to live. Strangely, everyone follows the same rhythm: whether they are rich or poor, whether they own an expensive shop or whether they unpack their structural material to erect their informal fruit stall. They arrive, unlock, prepare and then they wait… I eagerly awaited the good news to confirm my appointment to roll-out a project for a company throughout South Africa. I couldn’t wait because a month ago I received very bad news which caused financial chaos in my life. A key client postponed a country-wide project until next year!
I am sure that if you are a new entrepreneur, consultant or even a full-time employee, who have had a similar experience, you will understand the nightmare which such cause in your life! As a self-improvement teacher I never really had the proper credentials to help people to really believe in themselves when their livelihood is threatened. After reflection on my options at hand I decided to see the experience as a challenge to test my own conviction in what I believe and what I teach others. I often say in my talks that it is one thing to know the way, it’s another to show the way and it’s another to go the way. I received the expected call at 11h00 and I enjoyed the good news. Guess what? I found the project through a relationship I have built two years ago and just as I was about to leave my office, I received another call from Johannesburg: South Africa for a telephone meeting to discuss another project. So this newsletter is dedicated to all of you who have received similar bad news. I recently told a delegation of women leaders from across Africa at a conference that winners attract winners and success attracts success. If you want to attract the right people then you must work towards becoming a winning magnet. Here are some tips to help you move from the mindset of a “survivor” or an “economic causality’ to that of winner:
1. Mourn your situation and acknowledge that you have a challenge. If you deny it, go to bed and hope it will be gone tomorrow, then you cannot do something about it.
2. Recall all your inner resources: your self- belief, tenacity and courage.
3. Reconfirm your vision for yourself and those you care about.
4. Problems come our way in two manners: It is brought into our lives without being asked for or in most instances it is the result of our own decisions. I am convinced it forces us to see what we are capable of achieving in life. Without problems would we ever know our full human potential? Ask yourself: What have I learned? What will I do differently if I can do it over again? If the decision you have taken is the origin of the problem, then change direction. Take a different decision to get a different result!
5. Follow Stephen Covey’s – author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - advice. Focus on your sphere of influence. What can you do to influence the matter in a positive manner? If you focus on the problem then you will get more problems.
6. State the solution and take action to implement the solution.
7. Review your Board of Directors – your personal and professional advisory board are the people in your network who must guide you, advise you, mentor you and nourish you. Determine if everyone is adding value to your life. In my keynotes, I suggest that people must have allies in their network; they must have a Board of Directors. Jim Smith Jr, a professional speaker in America, calls it your dream team and he notes that membership should be sacred and valued. Here are some of his tips to cope with creditors:
7.1. Keep your creditors up-to-date regarding your plans to bring in revenue
7.2. Prioritise your debt and pay what needs to be paid
7.3. Distribute your funds amongst creditors
7.4. Take control of conversations with creditors, and refer to your current financial situation as a temporary bump in the road
7.5. Maintain a positive mindset. You will instill confidence in your creditors when your voice sounds upbeat. No one wants to attend a “tension convention”.
Don’t go back to your problems because it will not be the same problem. As you dwell on the problem you add baggage to it and it becomes a bigger problem. Don’t recall the problem. If you have to do so, recall the steps you have taken to make you a better you. If the problem is as a result of what someone did, then face and address it. If you can resolve it, then do it but don’t treasure and talk about it again. With my new project contract and a number of speaking engagements confirmed for next year I am confident that my best is yet to come in 2010. I wish you great holiday season and wonderful 2010. Remember 2010 is Africa’s Largest Networking Extravagancy. Have you planned your networking strategy?
I’d love to hear from you. Tell me via karl@businessnetworkingsouthafrica.co.za how you deal with problems or how you made it through the tough economic times.
Tags: Karl Smith in South Africa, problem solving, win with yourself, winning with people
