One of the things I see small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs get stuck on is making a decision about whether to quit doing something in their business. Usually, it’s about offering a product or service that has been offered for a while but now there’s an issue about it. Sometimes it’s about a marketing strategy that is no longer working well. The most common reasons an issue comes up is:
- You don’t have a passion to offer this anymore – you’ve grown past whatever it is and want time and money to try something different.
- The product or service isn’t selling well or its intrinsic operating costs have gotten too high for you to be very profitable.
- It’s an activity you have done for years (perhaps a marketing strategy, or a leads group) that isn’t working for you anymore or you’re just plain bored with doing it.
I see small business owners keep on doing “the thing” even though they have grown to dislike it and have a negative energy toward it. And I always think “what’s the reason this person is so hooked on keeping on with this?” Last week I think I found one of the big reasons why. In an article by Ellen Gibson (in January’s issue of O Magazine) there’s this little gem we’ve all heard before, which is “list arguments for and against continuing.” Nothing new there, right? But Gibson then quotes author Scott Plous (he wrote The Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making) who says “if your primary reasons for persevering have to do with the past, it may be time to change course.”
That sentence hit me like a trunk. Not only could I instantly see hundreds of times my clients have hung on to what’s not working anymore because of tradition (they’ve always support such-and-such charity, or they’ve been going to a local leads group for 4 years even though the return on investment is very slim) I could also see how my own decisions have been heavily influenced by “what has been.” It makes perfect sense to me that our natural inertia toward change, topped with the guilt we may feel about getting out of something that has a strong past history for us is a double whammy that keeps us stuck and indecisive. Not only do we have to face the change itself, we have to face the people or organizations we’ve had a relationship with and bow out – and it’s just plain easier to keep on with it.
Easier on the surface, at least – but not really. For one thing the opportunity cost is very high – when your time and energy are tied to something that drags you down and no longer works, you don’t have the time and energy to do the new thing that will be more interesting and profitable for your business. Secondly, the longer we stay on the “keep on” path the more we become internally conflicted, whiny, and stuck.
Decision making made easy for small business owners sounds tough, but it’s not. We can definitely list the arguments for and against. But now, add to that list a star by anything you’re doing PRIMARILY because of the past. You’ll have a good line on what is worth giving up – freeing your time and energy and changing your negative feelings. You can check this, Gibson goes on, by asking opinions of outsiders who aren’t involved in the situation. See if their take on it is different. It’s a great use for a mentor, coach, or mastermind group you are involved in.
Small business owners have to face lots of decisions every day about what to offer, at what price point, for how long, and when to add or subtract something from the mix. Being loyal to something because “it’s always been that way” might not be the best for you or your business – or for that matter for your customers, either. Decision making for entrepreneurs can be easier with these tips. I’d love to hear if you feel like you cling to things in your business primarily because of the past, so feel free to comment below.
Jennifer Bourn says
January 16, 2012 at 1:03 pmOh Sue – it’s like you’re speaking right to me! I’ve quit doing A TON in my business. And not just by delegation. But by actually no longer offering services that I just didn’t LOVE doing.
We no longer implement and send ezines for people. We no longer “do” or “write” their social media posts. We no longer offer any marketing services. We no longer offer individual design services for items such as business cards, postcards, and brochure to new clients … those services are only available to you AFTER we have done your website and gotten intimate with your brand.
As we’ve become more and more focused on what we do best, what we like to do the most, the way we want to do it, and who we want to do it for … making the decision to STOP/END specific services etc. was so much easier.
Now we’re crystal clear. We’re a design company that specializes in WordPress website design, brand design, and graphic design … and for anything else, we have awesome people to refer you to!
Jennifer Bourn, Bourn Creative
Sue Painter says
January 16, 2012 at 7:18 pmJennifer,
I applaud you for winnowing down, look at what’s happened as a result! Awesome!
Sue
Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist says
January 16, 2012 at 3:07 amSomeone recently said to me “if it’s not a hell yes” then it time for a change – your post articulates this perfectly and much more eloquently!
Thanks – Trudy
Sue Painter says
January 16, 2012 at 6:59 amTrudy, yes, I’ve heard that expression, too.
Sue
Lisa Manyon says
January 15, 2012 at 5:29 pmFantastic points, Sue,
I’m shedding some “old” things and really excited about what does energize me and is most beneficial to my ideal clients.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Sue Painter says
January 15, 2012 at 10:00 pmLisa,
I know you have quite a lot new going on. Cool stuff! Very happy for you.
Sue
Linda Pucci says
January 12, 2012 at 8:52 amThis is a great post, Sue! I experience this all the time because I like to reinvent myself every few years so as to stay involved and excited about what I do. It is often tough to let go of something from the past, especially when it has been part of your identity. I see this with myself and with my clients. I think it is especially tough to let go of the things that have defined you for many years. But if you want to move on, you have to do it. You have to make room for all the new opportunities. Thank you for this timely food for thought.
Sue Painter says
January 12, 2012 at 3:02 pmLinda,
Yes, it is about making room for new opportunities. Hard to let go sometimes, but very freeing.
Sue
Mary Ellen Miller says
January 11, 2012 at 10:00 pmExcellent points Sue and a great time of year to be breaking free of old bonds and old ways of thought. Thank you.
Bill Painter says
January 10, 2012 at 7:38 pmThanks for sharing the article. It hel;ps me get past the emotion of the “I’ve always done it” that makes it hard to drop.
Sue Painter says
January 10, 2012 at 8:33 pmYou’re welcome, honey. 🙂
Tiffany deSilva says
January 9, 2012 at 11:29 pmGreat post, Sue. Thank you for sharing the quote by Scott Plous. What a great gauge for determining if you’re making forward progress versus merely going through the motions. Love it!
Sue Painter says
January 9, 2012 at 11:59 pmThanks, Tiffany.
Jeff Brunson says
January 9, 2012 at 2:03 pmPart of my 2012 Personal/Professional develolpment strategy is to participate in gatherings where I have a good chance of making the kind of connections that feed the work to which I have the most passion. One of those gatherings has reached out to me. I’ve been thinking on the value since it involves a commitment of significant time due to the distance from me. While there is some good things about being a part, there was something buggin me that I could not place my finger on … until I read your post.
Now I will consider how much being a part of this group is like something in the past that ceased to work well for me. It may not be enough to keep me away, but it sure is good to be able to consider such.
Thanks Sue.
Sue Painter says
January 9, 2012 at 4:11 pmJeff,
You are welcome!
Sue