The Art of Letting Go to Grow
Navigating the Illusion of Control in Business…
*Navigating the Illusion of Control in Business…*
Our businesses are our first babies. And just like a baby relies on its parents from the start, so do our businesses. Without us, things come to a grinding halt… at least initially.
We wear all the hats - operations, accounting, admin, customer service, etc.
But as we grow, we learn to let go… We delegate. Others take over these positions. We build.
But still, it can be hard not to run around like a helicopter parent, ensuring everything is running as WE would run it.
And, from first-hand experience way back when, I can say that this only adds fuel to the fire. Being a business owner is stressful enough without the added stress of trying to control everything and everyone.
We’ve all been there; we’re ready to get our crews out and tackle those next jobs but… the weather forecast has another thing in mind. And, well, Mother Nature is entirely out of our grasp of control.
…Just like our customer’s opinions of us.
…Just like our staff’s motivation to work.
…Or what our competitors two doors down are doing.
It’s easy to think we have control over these things, but the truth is we don’t. The sooner we admit this, the smoother and easier things get.
We can’t control anyone else. But we can control our thoughts, reactions, choices, attitudes, behaviors, and more.
Meaning we can influence others (except maybe the weather).
But really, our power lies with us.
When we hear successful business owners talk or interact with their staff, that power, that good vibe/energy - it’s coming from them and being amplified by those around them.
They focus on what they can control - not what they can’t. They even take this a step further and accept what they can’t, making decisions or calls from there.
This small flip in our mindset, the lens we look through, can have a huge impact on our growth and the growth of our business.
It also can impact what clients and what staff we attract and the output of our work.
Good vibes go around. It starts with us. And it starts with focusing on what we can control without controlling others.
Then, when a tough situation hits, we can default: What can I do here? (the other half: What can I do here to get to the outcome I want?)