Recently, I was talking to a business leader who was telling me about his frustrations this year. He saw challenges trying to hire and retain good people, getting his team in sync, and keeping engagement up.
He told me that he can’t keep his team engaged and that everyone is moving in different directions. He said: “It’s just so hard and I don’t know what to do.”
I reminded him that yes, there have been challenges. But I also reminded him of all of his big goals – big revenue and growth goals – and that growing pains have to come along with achieving those.
Growing Pains
With every new goal or growth milestone comes a new set of challenges. Wanting to achieve significant revenue increases, greater visibility, or expand product lines means stepping out of the comfort zone.
What got you to this point is not going to get you to the next level. Success demands not just maintaining current practices but embracing the discomfort that comes with change. This involves finding new strategies, learning new skills, and possibly even restructuring your team.
We Choose Our Own Hard
Then, I told him this: We choose our own hard.
Working out is hard, but feeling unhealthy is hard too. Building a business is hard, but so is working in a corporate job that may not align with your goals. Planning your week is hard, but so is constantly playing catch-up and feeling overwhelmed.
Everything in life has its difficulties, but we get to decide which challenges we face. You can’t avoid dealing with hard things, but you can decide which ones are worth the struggle.
And if something feels hard, it often means you’re on the right track – because you’re pushing against old limitations to reach a new level of success.
Reframe What’s Hard
When you face hard times, reframe how you view difficulties in your business. When you’re frustrated because a project isn’t working, a team isn’t engaged, or you’re struggling to launch a new product, take a step back and consider why you are choosing this.
Instead, dig in and commit to the challenges that matter, knowing they’re the stepping stones to transformation, success, and growth.
Choose Wisely
We choose our own hard, so make sure you choose wisely. The discomfort that comes with pursuing your goals is a necessary part of the journey. By choosing the right kind of hard, you’re setting yourself up for the rewards on the other side: growth, transformation, and a level of success that’s worth the effort.
Until next week, remember: Embrace the challenge. It’s a sign that you’re on the path to something greater.
Resources Mentioned
💻 Schedule a Virtual Coffee with Theresa
📝 Uncover Your Biggest Blindspots with the Entrepreneur Quiz
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