Trying to defeat a problem by running away from it is seldom an effective strategy; unless you are being chased by a lion, of course! Most of the challenges we experience in business (and life generally), require a solution. Otherwise the challenge will simply persist.
I was prompted to write this post, after seeing one of my neighbours put their home up for sale. They moved into our tiny, picturesque village 2 years ago and sadly, they are now in the process of getting divorced. Apparently, they moved here in an effort to save their marriage, but it didn’t work out. They are lovely people and the news has been greeted with sadness by our tight-knit community.
Escaping to the countryside
Escaping to the countryside is seen as some kind of magical cure-all, for many people who want to solve the stresses and strains in their lives. Sadly, it is not: As thousands, maybe millions of people can testify!
The reality is that if you have unresolved problems with your marriage, relationship, business or whatever; you will simply be experiencing them in a different location. Once the newness of the “escape” wears off, the situation will be just like before, only without the support network you moved away from. Like they say; most of our problems are caused by the person we see in the mirror each morning!
The difference between relocating and escaping
It’s almost 10 years since my wife and I moved from London, to a tiny rural village in South Yorkshire; close to where my wife grew up. It was one of the best things we ever did. That’s because we moved here, rather than “escaping to the countryside.” There was nothing in London for us to escape from. We brought a great marriage and a wonderful business with us. We then started a family here, with our son born and raised in the village. It’s been magical and I recommend it to anyone seeking to do the same.
Every person I have met over the past decade, who has successfully relocated has a similar story to my own. They were not escaping. They were making a great thing even more magical.
If one of your goals is to escape (rather than relocate) to the countryside, the beach or the mountains, you will get a lot more from it if you fix whatever you are escaping from before you leave. As one of my friends says; “the only way to solve a problem, is to face it and fix it!”
The small business owners I work with enjoy far more sales, attract better clients and grow amazing businesses.
If you want the same, here’s exactly how it happens.