I heard a story this week that surprised me. That person was describing what happened to someone that was about to leave our industry. I started reflecting about what keeps people building, moving toward a goal and motivated to complete it when everything seems to point to an easier solution – quitting! I remembered years back that I had taught a class about quitting. Sometimes it makes someone think about changes that need to be made so a person doesn’t quit.
During my conversation with that friend, I wondered why this person decided to quit. According to www.thebalancemoney.com, “People quit their jobs for a variety of reasons.” They noted that it could be due to hiring a bad manager, creating a toxic work environment, salary issues or even personal responsibilities that could prompt someone to quit. Those types of people could be looking for the reason to quit but just needed something or someone that they can point to before they do quit.
I’ll take it one step further. It could be a serious health issue too. Personally, I’ve felt that way lately because not only do I have Guillain-Barre, (an immune syndrome caused by flu, Covid, vaccines or surgeries – I’ve had all of those) However, it has now morphed into CIDP, the ugly stepsister to GBS. I must admit that this recent diagnosis crushed me because my future is bleak with CIDP. Without question, it is. However, I know that God has my life and health in HIS hands. I must do my part to keep my thoughts away from quitting because I don’t want a seat on the quitting fence. I can remember what people said before the CIDP diagnosis that I had the right attitude to keep going….no matter what. So, I’ll keep going no matter what I’ve been dealt.
What makes people quit something they supposedly wanted? Was it because they didn’t have a workable business plan, enough monetary funding, they’re tired or didn’t hire the right people? Here’s some answers.
Establish an Inner Circle
Speaking of people/employees, identify all those employees that can help you achieve your business plan and make them part of your inner circle. Subdivide your structural needs for the business as if you’re doing a reconstruction of it, and then distribute some of what you’re responsible for to the inner circle employees you’ve selected. This might help relieve some of your initial frustration and responsibilities that make you want to throw in the towel.
Social Media Posts
While you’re dividing your personal responsibilities, maybe a person within your company already has the marketing skills to boost your reviews on social media. Get them to start making social media posts. Social media posts can produce positive reviews too. That is important because a person who can market and generate positive reviews could help you with marketing. Always add a short tagline about what you do to every social media post that’s made. If others are posting besides one person, then ask them to add the tagline every time something is posted. Posting on a consistent basis will build trust and loyalty among not only existing customers but with prospective customers too. Don’t think for a minute that you can’t invest in something major like marketing. Anything done right with marketing is not an expense but rather an investment in your business.
Seeking Advice from Successful People within the Industry
Okay, now that we’ve discussed delegating some of your tasks to others within your established business, you should feel relieved of some pressure. Don’t think for a minute that you’ll be able to quit now and restart later. It’s harder to restart a business after you’ve already given up once. Ask someone who did, and they’ll tell you it’s hard. Try this idea instead.
Best Practices of Successful and Seasoned People within the Industry
When you’re at the next trade convention walk over to a successful business owner and drum up a conversation with them. If you don’t already know then, introduce yourself. After you have their undivided attention, ask some questions. Your job is to find out their best practices and what they did to change things. Most of them have been where you are at some point in their business career, and they would love to advise someone else whose sitting on the fence. All of these questions could be asked during the conversation.
- Ask them if they ever wanted to quit the business? What changed their mind if they didn’t.
- Was it one thing or multiple changes that made a difference?
- What practice did they add or change?
- After they implemented their changes, were tweaks made later?
This reminds me of a time when a certain businessman was thinking about quitting. They had been in business for a while, but the clientele had changed. People weren’t dropping by as frequently as they once did. So, the businessman and his wife thought about it for a while and decided to work on painting the entire sales reception area as fast as they could until it had been repainted. The transition took some time because they did it after hours and over the weekend.
It wasn’t long before all the employees invested their personal time to get involved. They decided they would help paint the exterior too. Those employees got their children to help paint, all ages above 15, that could use a paintbrush or a roller, and they started painting the exterior. It wasn’t long before the employees were rejuvenated about working there because the old place looked brand new. New flowers were planted where the old, weary bushes used to be. Weeds were pulled, and grass and trees were trimmed. They had transformed the broken-down business into a place where they enjoyed working, and in turn, transformed themselves too.
The employees loved the new look and so did the owners, and all because of the new comradery. The owners decided not to quit after all and began working on other things that could transform their business. The process of quitting had stopped, and they wanted to do whatever was needed to stay in business.
As I mentioned, a very long time ago, I did a class on quitting. When I asked the group for a show of hands of those attendees that felt they wanted to quit at some point, every hand was raised. Quite enlightening, wouldn’t you say?
So, if you have thought about quitting, you’re normal. If you need some advice, give me a call at 770-301-4122. I don’t mind listening.
I’ll see you on the next podcast.
