Big life lessons happen where you least expect them. From your personal life to your business, and even in a kayak, those lessons are always coming.
In episode 6 of The Stern Truth: Business Unfiltered, I shared the danger of an “I will when” mindset. Let’s go over what that looks like as an entrepreneur.
Falling Into the Trap
"I will when" holds so many entrepreneurs back. We think we can delay or take all the time in the world to come to decision-making for our small businesses.
Let me tell you, my friends, that is a terrible idea. It can trap you into running your business as a second thought, and that’s not how to run a business.
I’ll tell you about the time I had a bit of a toxic employee. Even before I hired him, there were red flags in his references. I ignored them because I was basically desperate for his skillset at the time. This employee seemed nice enough, but he ended up having a dispute with a client (…okay, it was more like a battle). Choice words were said, and I apologized to the client, and I decided to move on.
He kept not showing up, and I was faced with an “I will when” – I will let this person go once I find someone new with his skillset.
What “I Will When” Costs
Something I didn’t anticipate was the reaction of my other employees. Three other key team members threatened to quit if I didn’t send this toxic one out the door. Once that decision was made, it was almost too late.
If I had lost my three key team members, where would that leave me? I would definitely be without a great team. I would still only be working with that toxic employee. I would likely be losing some clients. It could have even cost my business’ reputation.
A Sinking Feeling
I’ll give another “I will when” example. I was kayaking with my daughter a few years ago. As soon as I got into my rental kayak, I saw some water in the bottom of it. I thought, oh, I bet some water just splashed into it. No big deal.
I thought nothing of it and continued to paddle out. Suddenly, I start to notice more water filling up the kayak. I get to the middle of the lake, and I remember thinking, I’ll check this out in a few minutes. Finally, I made the decision to turn back. By the time I got back to shore, it was almost completely full of water. I ignored the signs and even knew what was going to happen when I did. The fact that I let the kayak get that bad was, I know now, a bad decision (for me or for the kayak.)
A Challenge: Face Your “I Will When”
Postponing important decisions until the perfect, magical future conditions are met leads to crisis mode. Maybe you’re dragging your feet on:
- hiring help
- outsourcing tasks
- looking for mentorship
- joining a supportive community
I challenge my fellow business owners to look at their business and see what they’re putting off. Choose one and be proactive about solving it, not reactive about it happening to you.
When you own a small business, proactive management of your “I will when” decisions can help you get the traction and the momentum that you want. Steer that kayak back to safety before you start to sink.
Interested in being my guest at the ONtrepreneur Inner Circle group? Join me and get connected with other business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs, and make progress happen.
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