Life is fluid because of change. Adapting to the results of change comes from practice and a strong faith in your abilities.

Changes in your business are similar to life changes and in order to make it through them well, it’s necessary to concentrate more closely on not just the final results of the changes and how they affect your business but also on the steps taken within the business to alleviate the worst outcomes.

Businesses today are different from those in the past and constant upheavals seem to have become an everyday thing. Whether in a large company or in a smaller business run by one person, businesses are no longer static. Instead of feeling like a victim of the times and worrying about how the changes will affect you, it’s better to keep your reactions under control. This gives you more of a sense of control over where your business is heading. While there are outside circumstances that you can’t do anything about, the small day to day things in your business are always under your control and being objective about these will help you when everything seems to be changing at once.

With the turnover in business strategies, marketing techniques, new products and updated services that are occurring now, always being prepared is good advice. Rather than expecting your business to continue with the same employees, services, customers, etc., notice the small signs that tell you when things need to be updated. Many business owners refuse to look reality in the face and don’t realize until too late that by not accepting change, they have put their businesses in jeopardy.

Look at all of the possible outcomes. When extreme events happen within your business, listing all of the best and worst things that could happen because of it helps you to prepare a strategy for anything on your list. Bringing in any outside resources you may need, seeking advice from others who have made it through similar processes and deciding what is a priority will help you cope with emotions that may be running wild, exhaustion from stress and worries over your future.

Keep in mind that not all modifications that you need to make will be long term, in particular the more drastic alterations. Sometimes, due to the current business climate, challenges will arise that are completely unexpected, especially financial ones. Unfamiliar challenges need to be addressed immediately, even if only with a stop gap measure that is put in place for a short period of time, until you learn more about what you are dealing with.

Remember, that whatever changes are taking place, people and their concerns have priority over things, previous processes and your personal feelings that arise from emotional attachment to the way your business has been up until this time. Taking care of difficult and critical issues is something you will need to learn to have to deal with as a business owner. Communicating with everyone involved and keeping the lines of communication open will help all those who are affected to make it through whatever business challenge you are facing and better prepare you for any future changes.

Chris Draper © Copyright 2016 All rights reserved.

It seems your friends and everyone around you work the 9-5 shift. Or the 10-5 shift and so on. Your work hours vary. The days you work vary. You may be up with the birds or going to bed as the sun comes up. You work virtually. You are an entrepreneur. The main differences?

Breaking the self confidence barrier. You spent months going over the pros and cons of starting a business and here you are several years later with excellent inter-personal skills and a new found ability to speak with just about anyone on a number of topics. This led you to new business associates and new found friendships.

You’re never bored as work is actually enjoyable. One of the top reasons listed for job unhappiness is not the job itself but the other employees at the place of employment. As an entrepreneur you are the boss. If you wish to take on a virtual assistant, that will be up to you but in the meantime you are doing what you do best, while improving your skills and creating your perfect business.

Being able to use your skills for their intended reason. Rather than being overlooked at a job, regardless of your talents, you now have expanded on your previous knowledge and have become somewhat of an expert in the technology that you always wanted to learn more about. Your online skills have improved to the point that you are now the one that others go to for advice.

You are the CEO. For the control freaks out there, being the master is what it’s all about. If you want to work ridiculous hours or a ridiculous amount of hours, it’s up to you. Total freedom in your method of getting things done is all that matters, because, after all, who knows how to build their own business better than you? Your ideas are now at the forefront.

Time off. Nothing feels better than being able to reward yourself after days of hard work, with well earned days or even weeks off. The luxury of arranging your work and holiday schedule is worth all of that effort you put into building a successful business.

Retirement. What’s that? Knowing that you won’t have to quit working at some certain date in the foreseeable future gives you a second and even third lease on life. Having the option to continue working at what you love to do and enjoying the income that comes with it is a luxury that you can afford.

Chris Draper © Copyright 2016 All rights reserved.