Do the Next Thing

In your business, you are going to hit walls.  Not literal walls (hopefully), but intangible obstacles.  Maybe a client is making unreasonable demands, or reasonable demands you’re not sure you can meet.  Maybe an unexpected expense has you wondering whether you’re going to meet your expenses in the coming months.  Maybe you have too much work, but you’re overwhelmed and not sure where to begin.   Or maybe, for no reason you can identify, you’re just overwhelmed.

When you started your business, you were probably burning with enthusiasm and purpose, and that momentum probably carried you for a while.  Each new success injects another shot of intensity into that purpose.  But if you’re in business long enough, sooner or later you’re going to hit that wall.

This might feel like time to grab a tablespoon and pint of Ben and Jerry’s and tune into the Lifetime Movie Network, and that’s okay for like half a day, but then drop the spoon in the sink and let’s get going.  Times like these will make or break your business.  Your ability to press forward will define you.

So here’s what to do:

1.  Plan.  Look at your plan, if you have one, and revise it to meet the current situation.  If you don’t have one, make one.  Know your end goal and identify the steps that will get you there.  Don’t make a goal to “get 5 clients” because you can’t control who hires you.  Make a goal to pitch your business to 20 people this month.  Join a public speaking group or professional group to get you face to face.  Make a list of small, manageable steps that lead to your end goal.

2.  Do the next thing.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the last thing you need to do is dwell on what you haven’t accomplished.  Instead, dwell on that next, manageable step.  Make the phone call.  Send the email.  Order the brochure.  Just do that thing without going sideways or succumbing to the lure of Ben and Jerry.

3.  Cross that thing off your list.  It’s amazing how satisfying that is.  Although you haven’t achieved your end goal, that small success will start rebuilding your momentum.

4.  While you’re looking at your list, look at the next step.

5.  Do the next thing.  Etc.

Of course this isn’t exactly revolutionary advice — anyone could have told you this.  If you see me in the doldrums, you’ll tell me the same thing.  And you’ll know I already know it, just like you do.  But memorize and repeat the mantra anyway:

Do the next thing.  Do the next thing.  Do the next thing.

Cross that bridge when you come to it.