You know that the seed will become a tree, you have seen a picture of the tree, but you have no idea how long it will take for the tree to become the one in the picture, you don’t even know what to expect during the growth of the tree.

One basic meaning of a business owner is one who owns business. Let’s look at this with a deeper meaning – what is owned? I believe what is owned is the responsibility to grow the business by nurturing the people in the business and providing the optimum environment for the business’ growth.

What do we mean by that?

Let’s liken a business to a seed. You are the owner of the seed, you are responsible for planting the seed in good soil and you are responsible for watering the seed. You know that the seed will become a tree, you have seen a picture of the tree, but you have no idea how long it will take for the tree to become the one in the picture, you don’t even know what to expect during the growth of the tree. You can assume, make predictions, plans, all of that but the truth is you really DON’T KNOW! You have never planted a seed like that before! What you do know is that if you water a seed and give it the care it needs, love it and grow it in an environment conducive for its growth, ten chances to one it grows.

Let’s further say that the “good” soil represents the “right” people to grow your business and the water represents the positive thoughts, words and actions you pour into the business. If that is the case, what is the character of the people growing your business? Have you spent time choosing the right people? Are you constantly training the people? Are you continuously pouring positive thoughts, words and actions which have all the basic elements needed for the business’ growth into the business or are you throwing negative thoughts, words and actions which provide no growth or kills the business?

Let’s look at your responses to the current “recession”. Are your thoughts, words and actions about the recession negative or positive? Is your business growing as a result of these thoughts, words and actions, is it stagnant or is it showing negative growth? Are you timidly operating in a “safe” space until things get back to “normal” or are you boldly advancing no matter what? Supposing things don’t get back to “normal”, will your business die or will it have the foundation necessary to continue full steam ahead?

What makes one person see an opportunity and another see no opportunity? There are some people that see the “recession” as an opportunity and are thriving in the midst of it and there are some that use the recession as a chance to make several excuses why they cannot. There is a saying “if you think you can, you are correct, if you think you cannot, you are correct”. In both instances you are correct but what prevents some persons from doing the former? Try on will. Are you willing to do what it takes no matter what? But then what supports will? How does one stay positive in the midst of negative conversations? The only way I know is to keep “sharpening my sword”. Keep in the midst of like minded people, keep constantly developing myself, being honest about my weaknesses and strengthening them. Jim Collins speaks about this in his book “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t”.
What’s stopping you from seeking this assistance? Do you know it all – like “I have 4 degrees”? Why not try on being open? Can we know it all? Let’s face it, there were some things not known about the growth of the seed. What if we were to approach each situation with an open heart and mind, what have we got to lose? The first chapter of Jim Collins’ book quotes “That’s what makes death so hard – unsatisfied curiosity”.

We really don’t have anything to lose but what we perceive we have to lose.

So today, take a deep look at what you’re doing in your business, what results you are having as a result of what you are doing, how do you feel about the results have – do they please you, are you disappointed, frustrated? Then ask yourself the question, if I could have what I wanted for my business – what would that be? Pretend you have that now, how are you feeling – fulfilled, happy, accomplished? Consider that this feeling you have when you’re pretending is what will get you from “Good to Great”. There is another saying “Fake it until you make it”. But don’t just stop there, start surrounding yourself with forward thinking people, people whose businesses are doing well, people who think and talk positively and who see opportunities in every circumstance.

And don’t just stop there, enroll into constant training through programmes, seminars, workshops, even read books that can assist you in stepping outside the box of your usual way of thinking that is getting you the same results. Promise to keep yourself ALIVE – surrounded by a good medium for your growth. Open yourself to progress, open yourself to adventure! Take risks! Once I took a look at my life and realized that at no time were my desires for what I really wanted not met so what was I worrying about? Looking again at growing the seed, worrying is like not believing the seed will grow, it fuels negative thoughts, words and actions and we know where that takes us.

So today, let nothing stop you from achieving your dream, make your plan and follow through. Do something you have never done before and have always been afraid to do, money is not an issue unless you say so! Step into uncertainty – be bold. You will not fall, you never have and you never will.