Well, for a certain percentage of the population… the do-ers, the entrepreneurs, the job creators, those taking risks and betting on themselves… every time.
Why?
Because it is our second nature to think like this.
I’ll never forget the call I got from a then-client. HBO had heard of her company and sent a threatening “cease and desist” letter. My response? Stop the Press. HBO, the cable channel, is threatened by you? THIS is a great day friend… Let’s ride this wave all the way to the shore.
I don’t remember the man’s name, but years ago a man had a direct mail order business selling rabbit’s feet with “chants” that were sold to cure cancer, loneliness, etc. Well, it turned out that the government didn’t like his claims and found them “illegal.” So, he STOPPED selling the rabbit’s feet, sold ONLY the chants, called them prayers and then was protected by a religious freedom clause. (Higher profits without the rabbit’s feet.)
I’m not suggesting this as a blueprint, lol… I’m just pointing out some things about the THINKING about adversity. MOST shut down when facing adversity. They see a limit, slow down and then stop when told.
They get knocked down and feel like it’s a sign…. maybe they should give up.
But not you.
And not me.
Obstacles — to the successful — are little more than opportunities to RECOMMIT to our goals. I mean, how committed are you REALLY when you “course correct” every time you see a little obstacle?
Not very.
Also, some “adversities” are huge opportunities. Forget politics for a minute…. and let’s just look at numbers. Before Nordstrom’s dropped Ivanka Trump’s line, she was ranked #550 in sales by the fashion search engine LYST. After the big “drop,” her line rose to #11 in sales. (Not sure what it is today, as this stat was from late March.)
I don’t know Ivanka, but I’m sure she — like us — had a “pit in the stomach” response when she got the news. I’m sure she wasn’t immediately thinking, “well, this will really catapult my brand.”
My point is that we should FLEX OUR REFRAME MUSCLE more often and more deliberately.
Asking:
What is the hidden opportunity in whatever adversity we’re facing now, or will soon face?
What can I leverage?
What is the best next step?
How can this serve me?
I can’t tell you how “mired in adversity” I felt in the early days of my business. My schedule (bogged down with nursing, diapers and my heartfelt pull towards these little humans who called me MOM) in addition to my non-existent budget seemed in constant contrast with my drive and desire to build something of significance in the market.
No time.
No money.
And no room for error or a long learning curve.
Need.
Cash.
Now.
Yet…. 2008 comes around and just as I was really seeing an uptick in my business, other businesses (Previously “fat” with extra profit and access to tons of credit) found themselves in GUESS WHAT position?
NO time.
And no money.
And no room for error or a long learning curve.
Need.
Cash.
Now.
But needing to market, grow, and build their bottom line.
The seeds of Women Who WOW were born… out of adversity, turned into an opportunity.
So, what adversity are you facing right now? And how can we reframe it?
