| How do you fight off the blues? The blues I'm | | | | of failure' in nearly every aspect of the business! |
| speaking of are the entrepreneurial 'aloneness' | | | | So we're working to shift Mark from being the |
| blues. | | | | primary 'doer' through becoming a Manager of his |
| I've found myself guiding several of my clients | | | | business with others doing the lion's share of the |
| this past week as they sort this out. Their | | | | actual work, under his supervision. Over time, |
| aloneness stems from immersing themselves | | | | Mark will be come the cheering section for his |
| whole heartedly in their passion as they create | | | | team as they take the field to deliver customer |
| their business. They have a clear Vision for what | | | | delight. |
| they want to achieve, and they're stellar at | | | | And let's not forget the perspective of a fellow |
| keeping their attention on the goal. | | | | problem solver. In my own work I encounter |
| My client new Mark commented that he realized | | | | issues that need problem solving. When I rely only |
| he'd built a business model that had him playing | | | | on my own ideas and experience I may miss |
| nearly every single position on a football team. It | | | | even better solutions that others might come up |
| didn't matter how fabulous the touchdowns were, | | | | with. The same holds for my clients. I've created |
| when he turned around in the end zone, no one | | | | three different mastermind groups for myself |
| was watching. And he keeps work and home life | | | | where I have colleagues that I run ideas by to |
| separate so even evenings and weekends when | | | | get input. My clients learn to create the sounding |
| he goes home there's no one to report to for a | | | | board that enriches their decision-making. Nothing |
| congratulations pat as he leaves the field. | | | | beats having others with experienced eyes |
| And that's not all! | | | | standing close to the sideline with real time |
| Not only did he not have team mates to help get | | | | feedback and practical suggestions that support |
| it done, there was no cheering from the stands, | | | | my efforts. Just as I've created that support |
| and no coach on the side lines to run ideas by. | | | | system for myself, I'm working with Mark to |
| Mark is not the only one living that "I'll get it done | | | | identify peers he can build relationships with to |
| alone" life. | | | | exchange ideas with. |
| Entrepreneurs and small business owners and | | | | There is even the perspective of a customer. If |
| professionals alike become so focused and driven | | | | Mark is the one and only person a client can turn |
| that they are missing all the critical elements, the | | | | to with a question, a need, a problem that needs |
| balancing aspects of team and relationship. As you | | | | solving, then the customer is at risk. Not only is |
| read this you probably have images flashing in | | | | Mark's business at risk if a customer leaves, but |
| your mind about what they're missing, and about | | | | the customer is at risk if Mark decides to take a |
| what you're missing. | | | | vacation! Expanding the team means Mark will be |
| And I mean 'missing' in more than one way. In | | | | able to assure his customers of the continuity of |
| fact here are just four: | | | | support they depend on for their own business |
| I mean it first from the perspective of a coach. It | | | | safety. |
| pains me watching my folks do it the hard way | | | | Each of those perspectives leads to simple and |
| when they don't need to. When they've finally had | | | | straightforward solutions. Mark's success will be |
| enough of proving they can do it all on their own, | | | | strengthened when he filling in the missing pieces |
| we design their work so they can start handing | | | | of people to delegate to, peer advisers to boost |
| portions of it off to others to ease and | | | | his own productivity and an organization structure |
| accelerate getting it done. | | | | that secures his and his clients businesses. All of |
| Then there's the perspective of a business owner. | | | | these steps lead to High Payoff results. |
| If Mark keeps doing it all himself, then he is his | | | | So if you find yourself doing it all on your own, |
| business. That's it. There's no way around the fact | | | | put a team in place and you'll break free of the |
| that Mark is creating his key role as 'single point | | | | doing-it-all-yourself blues! |