Here’s something business owners can all agree on: It’s hard to plan ahead during a pandemic. We never know when the next restriction will be introduced. We don’t know for certain when the next restriction will be lifted, or how long it will stay that way.
One of the natural reactions to this kind of instability, is to become overwhelmed. And with overwhelm comes a tendency to stall, as we don’t know what to do amid the flux and confusion.
A business that stalls on decisions, when the world around them is moving fast, is a business that’s failing to adapt to the needs of the world around them. Such a business will soon cease to be relevant. It’s easy prey for its agile competitors. And that’s a 100% unsustainable position, given the likely duration of the pandemic and the years of economic recovery after the coronavirus has passed.
Here’s one very effective way to overcome the core problem of inertia caused by being overwhelmed (yes, I feel it too). It’s time tested. And it’s what has guided every step I have taken with my own business, since the start of the pandemic.
It’s based around a very simple question.
What is the next good step?
For example, when I feel overwhelmed with the constantly changing situation, I grab my notebook, get outside and look at the needs of my clients. I then ask myself, what’s the next good step, to help them thrive. I then take it. I look at the needs of my readers and ask myself, what’s the next good step, to provide a nugget of useful information for my reader community? I then take it. (It’s why I am writing this for you at 7am on Friday 25th September). And I look at the needs of my local community and ask myself, what’s the next good step, to help the most vulnerable people? I then take it.
Once you’ve taken the next good step, take the next. You get the idea.
You can’t do everything. But you can do something. In fact, as a business owner you must do something. So just focus on one step. The next good step. And do that. You’ll soon discover that taking action beats the feeling of being overwhelmed. It puts you back in the driving seat.
What’s the next good step for you to take right now? Think about it. Then take it.
IMPORTANT: If you want to make more sales, boost your profits and grow an amazing business, this will help you!