Thoughts Are Things: Are Yours Good For Business?

I can’t get this idea out of my head:  Thoughts are things. They have a way of becoming a part of your conversation and fueling your actions.  You can’t just ignore the bad thoughts and expect them to go away.  You have to check them and change them when they don’t serve your life or your business.

In “Let’s Quit Complaining And Appreciate What We Have” John Mariotti says:

“. . .that we whine and complain instead of. . .taking action.”

Whether or not you agree with what John has to say in the article, there is something to be said for mindset in the face of a problem.  Og Mandino, author of The Greatest Salesman in the World, says that:

“All my problems. . .in truth are great opportunities in disguise.”

For some of us, the disguise is too good and we can’t see past it so we miss the opportunities. But what if we lived and handled our business like Napoleon Hill, who was correct when he stated:

“Every adversity, every failure and every heartache carries with it the seed of an equivalent or a greater benefit.”

We face challenges daily and we have access to all kinds of solutions. It just depends on how you look at it.

Have You Ever Discovered . . .

The perfect product or software, became excited about it and were ready to buy it, only to realize that it’s priced out of your range? At your current stage in business you simply could not afford to purchase it.  So what do you do?

• Some give up and go back to doing things the way they always have.
• Some keep looking because they know there has to be a solution for businesses like theirs.
• And then there’s that group that creates the affordable answer and sells it to groups #1 and #2.

Where others see problems, the savvy business owner sees opportunity. It’s all about the mindset. After all, businesses are just solutions to a series of problems.

Innovation Begins With The Way You Think 

Referencing an article from The New York Times, Anita Campbell, Founder of Small Business Trends, in “Small Business Innovation Lessons From 3 Big Companies” highlights things that we can learn from Google, GE and DreamWorks.  They are simple nuggets to pull into our own businesses, but the best advice won’t work for you if the thinking doesn’t change.

We’re responsible for our mindset. It’s our job to evaluate (consistently) and update (when necessary) the way we think.  Tragedy has a way of shaking things up, but what if you created your own shift — so to speak.

Laurel Delaney in “How To Become A Winner, And Stay A Winner” says that among other things:

“Winning streaks are characterized by truth-telling.”

A healthy dose of the truth can do wonders for your creativity and drive to find new solutions.

Find Out What Your Clients Want

They will tell you the truth if you ask the right questions and just pay attention.  If you’re the owner with a big staff under you, then get back on the ground floor for a few days. You need to get eye level with your clients and your team. There’s no telling the type of problems and solutions you’ll uncover.

You were driven and stirred up in the early days of your business. Use the direct engagement to wake you back up. But don’t stop there.  Pursue the company of successful others. If you’ve been going it alone in your corner of the world, then become a part of a community that’s making waves. Just being in the same space may get you inspired again or lead to a new idea.

For leaders, maintaining the focus and fanning the flames is a big part of the job. If you become dull, your team will eventually follow (or leave).

Thoughts Photo via Shutterstock

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