Business Stress?
Tough Decision:
New Business Crisis:
In Your Mind Or In Your Market?
by Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
You just started a new
business -- and you're becoming convinced that no one wants your
services -- at least enough to pay for them! You're ready to give up.
Are you being negative -- or facing a tough market?
1. Take a reality check.
Are others in your field experiencing similar frustrations? Do you
resemble those who succeed or are you a maverick?
Research has demonstrated
that some people are misfits for specific places, jobs and
organizations. And some products will be misfits for some markets.
2. Reframe your
question. Instead of "Should I give up?" ask, "What are my options?
Which option fills me with the most energy?"
3. Review your game
plan. When tactics and techniques don't work, you may need a new
strategy, i.e., "Who am I and where do I want to go?"
4. Honor your feelings.
After a big loss, or a series of defeats, many people need
downtime to regroup. But when you become too negative to act, you're
probably depressed -- a signal you need specialized help.
5. Rule out economic
explanations. In his classic book, The Making of a Psychiatrist,
Dr. David Viscott described a true case in a prominent hospital: A
patient's leg pain was diagnosed as psychological, delaying x-rays that
eventually revealed a broken bone.
Similarly, consultants
sometimes diagnose business and career crises as "negative thoughts" or
"lack of confidence."
Sometimes they're right.
But sometimes you visualize clear skies and, when you open the door,
it's raining. Better to open an umbrella than blame yourself for lack
of sunshine.
Click here
to check out Cathy's guide to using intuition
for careers, business and other life moves.
If you liked this article, you'll LOVE the Great
Career Moves Ezine.