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Is the sky falling?

By wmadministrator

Change is not “in the air” – it has hit the ground running. If it hasn’t affected you or your business in some way, you are in the vast minority. Change is here. The sh*t has hit the fan. It hasn’t been this way, this bad or this low for 50 years. Companies are crumbling, and rules are being abandoned. The government is in scramble mode as never before.

But what has happened to you? Change in business volume? Cash flow? Credit restrictions? Job status? Employment status? Work environment? Work requirements? Customers hurting? YIKES!

How are you reacting? Most people are a combination of reluctant and resistant, and a combination of scared and worried. You don’t have to join the afflicted or the paralyzed.

Here are the reasons we resist change:

• Inability to face the reality of what is actually happening to you. This drama is yours, not someone else on the news.

• Natural defensive posture. “It’s not my fault! Someone else did it.”

• Natural resistance to what’s new. “It always worked before, and I liked it that way.”

• Procrastination and inability to face reality. It’s natural to ignore or put off negative things.

• Previous comfort and present comfort. “Hey, I have a lifestyle, and I don’t want it interrupted!”

• Unwillingness to abide by the new rules and the new standards. This is especially true if you’re a long-term employee.

Is there a resolve? Is there a solution? Are there answers? Yes – you provide them. Yes – you create them. Yes – you make them happen.

First start with your resolve:

• Create more self-time and less TV time. The news is not great – especially people giving their opinion about what is happening – so watch less of it. Now is the time for action, not opinion.

• Study attitude for 15 minutes every morning. Give yourself some alone time to read, think and plan.

• Relax mentally. Breathe.

• Get up earlier, stay up later. Now is not the time for balance. Now is the time for money.

• Do your best every day at work. You never have to prove your worth if you’re doing your best.

• Make a projected cash flow. Cut now so you don’t run out of money in the near future.

• Avoid attending the pity party. Don’t participate in the rumor mill, wait for the facts to emerge. Talk about what is, not what might be.

• Don’t participate in the grumble. Just get to work and sell something.

• Sell more. No company ever cut their way to success. Cutting is fine, but you have to sell to have cash.

• Guard your customers. Your competition is gunning for them.

• Serve your customers better than ever. Earn their loyalty with value.

• Help your customers with their issues. Their situation is what’s causing your falling sales numbers.

• Give something of value to your customers. They will thank you and respect you.

• Invest in your top customers. They will reward you with their loyalty.

For years I have defined change as opportunity. That definition is still accurate.

This is not a time to “get over it.” This is a time to get on with it, and take advantage of it.