Every CEO, president or business owner I talk with finds the topic of business to be interesting especially when looking at it with the right perspective. To maintain the right perspective about business, specifically YOUR business, is to remember: Don’t settle for less.
If you happen to meet up with retired people as you go about your day, perhaps when shopping, at a restaurant or coffee shop, you may hear them talking about the “old days”. Often the discussion turns to regrets that occurred in business and life in the years leading up to today.
You may hear people say things, such as:
Gee, I wish I would have done (fill in the blank) …
Or:
You know, I wish I would have bought that property where the mall is now built. The land was so cheap back then and there was an opportunity to buy it but I never did anything about it.
Or:
Years ago I had a chance to move to California and open up my own business. But instead, I decided to stay here and just kept the same job.
Or:
I really wanted to do more with my business but somehow I just never did it. Never made it more than it was.
Or:
If I could do it again, I would do things differently.
In other words:
These business people regret because, in some way or another, they settled for less.
It happens to all of us at one time or another. There comes a moment when for whatever reason, you settle rather than moving forward towards a goal or a dream or an opportunity.
Nothing wrong with that.
You did what you felt you needed to do at that time.
The key when facing such business situations is to really think about what you want. Where you want to go in life and with your business. Rather than just settle for what is right in front of you. Of course, it may be difficult to see at that moment but in retrospect, it’s all very clear you wish you would have at least taken the chance; to keep moving forward.
At the time, it didn’t seem like compromising but years later (when you can’t get those years back), there is regret for not doing what you wanted to do. In business that could be about almost anything including:
- Growing your business
- Having multiple locations
- Hiring more people than what the staff was limited to
- Achieving more prominence in the business world on a local or a national level.
- Attaining a certain level of wealth.
When you settle for less, years later, it just becomes a story. There’s nothing you can do about it except learn from it and move on. Enjoy life where you now find yourself.
Ask yourself:
What am I going to do starting TODAY to open my mind to the possibilities with the business?
- Find a quiet place to sit down and think about what you really want.
- Think about what you really need.
- Think about what would really make you feel accomplished with your leadership and business.
- Write a business plan that will make you not regret you didn’t take an opportunity. There’s still time for new accomplishments to happen for you and your business.
There is always a tremendous amount of opportunity out there.
- It’s a matter of finding it.
- It’s a matter of how you think about it.
- How you view the business horizon in front of you.
When you are not willing to settle for less than business success, then you surround yourself with people that will help you get there.
Have you ever seen a professional sports team start the season with an attitude of: … We’re going to have a losing season. We’re willing to settle for last place. … No! What you may hear instead is: We’re in a building year. … Other years it’s: We’re contenders and going all the way to the championships to win! … Why? … Because they are not willing to settle for less in their professional rankings.
If these teams didn’t think this way there wouldn’t be any fans sitting in the seats to view the game. Nor would they win any games! Think of business as a game. As CEO, president or business owner, you’re the head coach of the team.
If you don’t plan for success and put all the necessary components in place including sales, marketing, staffing, etc. then you’ll just settle for what comes your way and you likely will miss opportunity out there for you and your company.
As the saying goes: What the human mind can think; it can do.
It doesn’t matter what day on the calendar you decide to make it a winning year for yourself. What’s important is that you simply decide and get started.
Ask yourself:
What do I need to make this a winning year for me and the business?
Remember: Don’t settle for less. You may not realize it now but you’ll regret it later at some point.
Make the business work for you; rather than you work for the business.
But whatever you do, don’t settle for less in your business.
To your success!
Business expert and strategist, Howard Lewinter guides – focuses – advises CEOs, presidents and business owners to MORE success – MORE profit – less stress. Get MORE from your business! Talk business with Howard: 888-738-1855.