“Many people feel like their lives and businesses are set in stone.” – Sonya Stattmann (1:54 – 2:04)
Change can be difficult, but it’s an inevitable part of growth.
Embracing change is an essential part of growing as an entrepreneur and an individual. We are living in a world that is changing at an increasingly rapid pace, and the ability to adapt is one of the most critical skills you need to be successful today. However, change never feels comfortable, and many of us tend to view it as something that is forced upon us, something that we are powerless to deal with. While it may feel difficult at first, learning to embrace change will allow you to improve as an entrepreneur and take your business to the next level.
“A lot of us get into certain patterns and routines and don’t really evaluate them enough. Deliberately creating change can really shake things up, and be an important part of growth.” – Sonya Stattmann (8:23 – 8:40)
We may resist change because we view it as a failure to reach our initial goals, but as we evolve as entrepreneurs, we gain a different perspective, and might no longer feel aligned with our original vision. The needs and desires of our customers also shift from time to time. Being mindful of the changes within you and the marketplace, and adapting accordingly, will allow you to run your business in a way that brings you greater fulfillment and success.
How to actively seek and embrace change in your business.
Most entrepreneurs only reflect on their business processes and structures when there’s a problem they need to address. However, periodically evaluating different areas of our company and looking for potential changes, can lend valuable insights. Here are some ways to actively seek out and embrace change. Put on your explorer cap. Let your business be your guide. Analyze the available data to discover what’s working, what’s not, and what the target market could be telling you. If we are too attached to the original story of how our business should work, we can become reluctant to listen to those clues. However, letting go and trusting in what the market is saying can lead to a new level of success.Accept the change and be with it. When something unexpected happens, the immediate instinct might be to view it negatively. When we operate from a state of fear, resistance, and anger, we miss out on the bigger picture. Instead, take a few deep breaths, and let yourself be in a state of mind that will allow the solutions to appear naturally. When we accept the events as they are while contemplating the desired outcome, we discover the path that will lead us there.Recognize chaos as a positive sign. Change creates uncertainty, challenging the sense of security that we feel when everything is going according to the plan. However, if we let things get chaotic for a while, they will often reorganize to become stronger than they were before. Real growth only happens through chaos, and if we try to stifle it, we might end up inhibiting growth in ourselves and our businesses. Take the disorder as a positive sign that bigger, better things are on the way.
“If we’re too attached to what we want something to look like, we miss the beauty of what it has become.” – Laura Shook-Guzman (24:39 – 24:53)
While it may be uncomfortable at first, thinking of change as opportunities that were previously unexplored empowers us to view it as a tool for growth. When you allow for change to happen, you might find that the outcome is far greater than what you could have ever imagined.
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