“The deal fell through”
“You're fired”
“Your account is blocked”
Most people view these sentences as setbacks.
Because there is a certain negativity to it: you were planning on something and it's just not gonna happen for you.
At least, not right now or in the way you wanted it to be.
But what if I tell you you can embrace setbacks and see them as opportunities?
Rather than become frustrated and give up too quickly (or say: Sarah, I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT), you could learn the skill to turn it around.
And I am not saying this to a single mother who just got her house burned down with all her final savings in that house, don't worry.
Turning obstacles into opportunities makes your life much lighter
For the past 2 weeks I re-read the book ‘The Obstacle is the Way‘ from Ryan Holiday and aside from the fact that there's nearly only male-led stories, it was once again a very inspiring read for me.
Because it talks about people who have overcome big obstacles and how it has changed the outcome for the better and I repeat this all the time to my clients: the difference between an entrepreneur who gets what they want and those who only complain about annoying clients, who don't pay well enough and whom never have enough money themselves is this:
The ones who are not letting outside circumstances dictate what their future should be are happiest and the most successful in their business.
Okay, but how to apply this in your business?
After reading the book, I created a 3-step framework which you can use in your business right now and play with it, practice it:
Step 1: Reframe Your Perception of Obstacles
- What are recent challenges or obstacles in your business?
Lack of money? Clients? Time?
- Challenge yourself to view these obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning.
If it's money: isn't this the best opportunity work on your sales skills?
If it's clients: maybe time to work on your ideal client profile? This week's podcast is about this.
If you need more time? Figure out how to find a way to feel less overwhelmed.
- Every obstacle that you're overcoming, will help you become more resilient for the future. Everything that you learn now, is something you will always be able to apply.
Step 2: Practice Acceptance and Letting Go
- Reflect on the things that are outside of your control.
What are currently parts in your business you don't have control of, but also what are things you have control of? Write these down.
- Practice accepting these things and letting go of any attachment or desire for a different outcome.
This is one of the hardest steps, but you can do this with the Mike Dooley Triangle exercise, by writing down your goal at the top and write down what you can do and then write down what is out of your control:
- Focus on the things that are within your control and take action towards those.
Step 3: Cultivate Resilience
- Set small, achievable goals for yourself that will help you build resilience over time.
You have a certain goal, how can you cut those up into small pieces? And forget to celebrate each achieved mini-goal!
- Remember that setbacks and failures are a natural part of the process.
Life would be boring if everything was going your way, right?
- Practice bouncing back from setbacks and finding the opportunities for growth within them.
Try to find a way to play with it: collect as many no's as possible, create a failure's jar, compete with a friend and see who is having the most obstacles and how to turn those around in opportunities.
And finally: review this process. How can you have fun with this and see obstacles as opportunities?
Look, I am not a saint and just today I heard something I did not find great, but you know what? This is an opportunity to make it better. This really takes practice, so do not give up after one try.
In this week's podcast
Currently I'm coaching a few people privately to help them create and sell a new offer and now we're in the phase of actually selling it to their ideal clients.
And this is not as easy as it seems. In this week's episode I'm sharing with you how I've helped them reach the right people for them.
Do you have a question for me for on the podcast?
It's really easy!
Happening in my business this week:
Today the doors are open for my signature program, the Big Business Mastermind.
I can not wait to start with you and help you make you happier in your business, create a business on your terms and help you turn more profit.
Do you need:
– more money/clients?
– more time?
– more fun?
For every business there's so much opportunity and I believe I can help you too. We're working together in close proximity from May 9th – August 9th and in these 3 months I'm helping you turn your business around.
Curious to what the Mastermind looks like?
The next round starts end of September, you can wait until then, or jump NOW!
I wish you a very happy week and I'll see you the next!
Love,
Sarah
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