If you’ve never really thought about the concept of autonomy in your business, there’s never been a better OR more critical time to consider it.
As the world transitions… as things shake out… as the US economy (in particular) comes to terms with the dangerous intersection of growing debt, increasing entitlements and entitled (the increase in who is eligible to receive such entitlements), and viru$ regulations and limitations….
AUTONOMY will determine how far you go towards your goals and what your journey is like along the way.
To be clear, I think pursuing the IDEAL of AUTONOMY is critical for all entrepreneurs, at all times. I am also aware that NONE of us is an island in and of ourselves. Most of us benefit from the roads being drive-able, the military defending our nation, and the airwaves that keep us connected. I DO GET that ABSOLUTE AUTONOMY — like absolute safety — does not really exist.
STILL, it’s a worthy pursuit. Especially now.
Let me start with MY favorite definitions of autonomy, which I took from Oxford’s dictionary:
1) the ability to self-govern
2) FREEDOM from external control or influence; independence
3) (from the Kantian moral philosophy) the CAPACITY of a person to act in accordance with their own moral code….
The closer I get to autonomy,
which is an ongoing personal pursuit,
I reduce — or eliminate– my ECONOMIC dependence on any one client, any one revenue stream, any one source of clients, any man, any government handout or bonus or program…
BUT true autonomy goes way beyond that
it also decreases — or eliminates — my EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL or PHYSICAL dependence one any thing, person or concept. This means, I don’t have to rely on ANY one or ANY thing else for:
approval
acceptance,
applause
worthiness
motivation
confidence
direction
health
and more.
This means, that I can — and am wiling to — provide ALL of these things for myself. The ABILITY to be self-reliant and autonomous — as an aside — is inteherent in all of us. It is ONLY one’s WiLLINGNESS that matters. I’m reminded of a blog I wrote a long time ago about fighting, which is here if you’re interested: https://www.bmichellepippin.com/what-you-doubt-isnt-your…/
There is INCREASING & CELEBRATED co-dependence in our world today… creating the illusion that one person can be NOT ONLY RESPONSIBLE for another person’s health, wealth and happiness…. but also CULPABLE if sickness, poverty or sadness befalls another. So, do not expect the world to applaud you as you actively cultivate an independence they do not understand. They will resent you for it, call you unkind, talk about you behind your back… citing your RUTHLESS independence as Sin #1.
Cultivate autonomy any way.
Here is a list of ABSOLUTE MUSTS for more Autonomy in 2021.
1) KNOW HOW TO SELF-SOOTHE. 
Life is tough. Business is tough. And economic — as well as regulatory — swings are waves that — as entrepreneurs — we all have to navigate. In the US, this happens every 4 -8 years. It’s not new. So, KNOW how to self-soothe. Know how to cultivate your own calm, how to be the EYE of any storm. This will determine how well your ship navigates the waves.
2) DEVELOP SELF-CONTROL With your words, your actions, your time and your focus. I resist OUTSIDE control, lol… so it behooves me to have self-control. No matter the year, if you have not mastered self-control, life and business will be harder, slower and more frustrating.
3) INCREASE COMMUNICATION SKILLS In a world where nearly EVERYTHING has become a mortal offense, you MUST possess TOP SHELF communication skills. You will have to listen without judgement (gasp! To someone who doesn’t THINK LIKE ME? Yes.. to them too…), seek to understand different perspectives, communicate without pressure, demonstrate empathy and understanding… connect with people on a real core level. I am MOST excited that success will require MORE of this this year. In most industries, this will “thin the herd.”
4) PRACTICE CREATIVE THINKING A willingness to expand and challenge your own thinking is always critical. You will want to further develop this, practice your ability to create multiple paths, multiple solutions, multiple options.
5) EMBRACE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE. I am not sure what else to say about this one. No matter WHAT or WHEN, what goes on in YOUR house is more important than what goes on in the White House.
YOU are responsible for your health, your income, your happiness, your relationships, your LIFE. Not your neighbor. Not your senators, your governor or your president. And not your parents.
This life is up to YOU. Increase your personal responsibility, increase your success. Period.
And DECREASE your personal responsibility,
DECREASE your success.
6) CREATE PLACE FREEDOM. Be able to work from anywhere. 2021 will see periods of time where it’s great and cheap and perfect to travel. And times when you may NOT be able to get home as planned. So, be able to PRODUCE regardless of environment.
7) DEVELOP MULTIPLE INCOME & INFORMATION SOURCES. One IS the most dangerous number in business. ONE income source, one source of clients, one location… it’s all dangerous. PARTICULARLY when full industries or locations can be locked down for months on end.
My favorite restaurant now has MULTIPLE income streams. Still, table service of course. But also amazing take out, previously not available family options and something they call the “Butcher Box” for fine-dining-grade meat.
Also, don’t be lulled into ONE information source, EVEN IF they say what you want to hear. Especially if they ONLY say what you want to hear. Challenge your sources so you can make decisions based on a WIDE and SOLID source of information.
8) GET AGILE The news assured viewers that the Titanic was the UNSINKABLE ship. And at least 2229 people believed them. Bottom line: The ship changed direction TOO slowly to avoid disaster. Be agile. Be able to turn on a dime.
9) DEEPEN TRUST IN YOURSELF. There will be times in 2021 (and have already been times in 2021) where it feels that information is SLOW and HARD TO FIND. And there will be times when you’re force fed so much information you will wonder how anyone could EVER make sense of it. You will HAVE to learn to trust yourself… your gut, your inner KNOWING.
10) TIGHTEN YOUR CIRCLES. Have a tight circle of friends, family, mentors and resources you trust. Don’t JUST curate your income streams so that you make more from less, but also CURATE your spending, so you are DEPENDENT on fewer — but more connected and trustworthy — resources for life and business.
11) GO BACK TO ANALOG / BASICS. In a world where privacy is non-existent, where people are moving off of the “platforms” faster than ever (ironically, to other platforms where they will SOON run into the same thing that led them to jump ship in the first place) it is CRITICAL to go back to basics. Direct mail. Email. Real estate you OWN.
The basics can ALWAYS be used to grow your business. It’s just that in the coming year, more and more people will gravitate away from bright and shiny…. and return to tried and true. (This is a really great thing!)
12) REMEMBER THE SHI* SHOW THAT WAS 2008 – 2011 ECONOMICALLY. And use the lessons you learned then. We’re early in 2021 and due to viru$-related shut downs and policy changes with oil and gas, joblessness has already soared. Less people employed means less people buying means less money moving. This is BOTTOM -UP economics and it ALWAYS applies.
But, we have been here. I won’t pretend my business didn’t SOAR during those years of recession. And YOURS CAN TOO, regardless of what 2021 brings our way….
As long as…
you focus on what YOU can control,
make no excuses, take full responsibility,
and LOOK for the opportunities created DURING any and all transitions.
Guys, I am looking forward to an amazing year. I’m excited by and about the opportunities of 2021. I KNOW that the BEST years for my business lie ahead of me, and I believe the same to be true for you.
If you are interested in Women Who WOW, now’s a great time to join. Message me for details
