My dad has developed a reputation for his expertise in dealing with “rotten wood.” As a general contractor on the (wet) Outer Banks, this reputation serves him well. He’s got to know when and where to look for rotten wood before it is obvious, how to diagnose it, tear it out, replace it and prevent it. The same is true for us regarding #business rot.
Business rot is a fundamental, chronic and contagious disease that — once it starts — can quickly erode what we’re here to build: our impact, income and influence.
Rot begins when any one (or more ) of the following very common circumstances creep into our business:
😥 boredom
😥 negative resolve (Example: It is what it is!)
😥 Hopes delayed (Example: I should have been RICH by now!)
😥 Same old, same old routine
😥 lack of WHY
😥 Persistent lack of results
😥 negative people encouraging you to give up or settle
😥 most of your business friends are also struggling (BEWARE THE TREADMILL OF BUSINESS.)
So, those are some of the causes. As you can see, business rot can SNEAK in through a variety of methods. It’s important we know how to recognize it.
Here are some of its symptoms:
😥 consistent procrastination
😥 luke warm testimonials
😥 decreasing number of return clients / patients
😥 decreasing number of referrals
😥 lack of excitement for “showing up”
😥 resentment of or lack of gratitude towards clients or patients
Bottom line: all of us experience business rot to SOME degree at one time or another. This is — candidly — the human side of doing business. While it may be unavoidable, the impact of business rot can certainly be minimized.
Stop business rot where it starts by…
🔑 changing your routine when you get in a rut;
🔑 hanging around other business owners who are up to something bigger than them;
🔑 studying successful entrepreneurs who are “bigger than life” to you… because you’ll very likely see so much of yourself in them;
🔑 re-adjust your “why” you do business. It may have changed since you first started and you may need to adjust;
🔑 Have a “brag file” that you can peruse to show how far you’ve come, how many people you’ve helped and how your business makes a difference.
🔑 Do ANYTHING other than ignore business rot and hoping it goes away on its own. Like termites or mold or rot… the only action it takes on its own is to spread.
So, why am I talking about business rot?
Because I realized this rainy, dreary morning that BUSINESS ROT is exactly what Women Who WOW is here to diagnose, rip out, replace and prevent!
We are THE PLACE dedicated to allowing you to hang out with like-minded, driven (and driving) business owners LIKE YOU. We’re THE PLACE to reinforce your optimism, strategize YOUR plans, equip you to reach your goals and encourage you along the way.
Before I began this venture — under the national radar — I wasn’t sure about it. I was told by many, many women that they needed some regular, social interaction with other self-bossers. They spoke of a certain loneliness that ate away at their productivity and effectiveness as business owners.
To be frank, I don’t remember the last time I felt “lonely.” Call a therapist, but I don’t really “register” loneliness… not in the traditional sense, at least. I crave alone time and NEVER crave social time. But, there’s a certain aspect to what YOU GUYS were asking for that I TOTALLY “got.”
I’m sure this won’t come as a shock to anyone reading this, lol, but I’ve RARELY been instantly and enthusiastically welcomed anywhere I’ve chosen to go. I must be what they call an “acquired taste.” Sigh…. =) But I am not alone.
Every month, I work with driven, determined, rebellious business owners. Square pegs surrounded by Round Holes. Women who prefer cha-chings to bonbons… real life accomplishment to soap operas… YOU.
I know that acting with boldness and determination attracts skeptics, critics, and resentment from many different angles. THIS IS WHY FORMING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OF OUR ILK IS SO IMPORTANT. At WOW, we keep each other sane, we remind each other of those BIG DREAMS we’re doggedly pursuing, and we reinforce commitment to our goals, our principles, our lifestyle preferences and basically CREATING SUCCESS OUR OWN WAY.
In short, we’re preventing and removing business rot each and every month! In light of all of this, being equipped with marketing and sales strategy each and every month can be seen as a bonus! =)
If you are STILL not a member of Women Who WOW, message me now to get in — grandfathered in — at our current rates!
