Keeping IT Simple: Removing 'Can't' From Your Vocabulary
Thereâs a contraction in our language we tend to lean on when times are tough. Itâs a word we say out loud (or even to ourselves) when weâre feeling powerless, defeated and scared. Itâs a four-letter word (with an apostrophe thrown in there for good measure) we all know well, a word weâve used more than once to get out of our responsibilities â and that word is canât.
Negative thoughts run rampant in my line of work. TruMethods Members tell me all the things they canât do: I canât sell; I canât charge these prices; I canât devote resources to my Super Power; I canât find good people; or I canât fire this person. If you say you canât do something, you not only eliminate any chance of achieving it, but you also limit your possibilities and make business matters more complex than they need to be in the long run.
Motivational speaker Matthew Michaelwicz briefly touched upon this on stage at Schnizzfest 2017, pointing out the real reason why people use the word canât: The desire isnât there â itâs that simple. Think about it for a second. What if I said you needed to triple your earnings next year? Youâd probably laugh it off and talk about how impossible it would be to accomplish, right? Okay, fair â but what if the lives of your children depended on you tripling your earnings in 12 months? Would your mindset change? Yes, of course it would.
Removing canât from your vocabulary is the first step in the right direction.
Altering your mental attitude can also help with cutting business complexities. Successful leaders in the MSP space have found ways to simplify their businesses. Simplicity leads to clarity and clarity leads to command, and when you have true command over the business, achieving goals becomes reality. Stripping everything down to the core simplifies any business.
If you run a business with five, 10 or even 15 employees, it shouldnât be that complicated. Look, you know Iâm a huge fan of the business planning process and discipline. Itâs critical to have three-year targets, a one-year plan and quarterly actions â just be sure your planâs complexity matches your business. Again, I see people with very complex plans for simple businesses. Remember this: Donât shoot an ant with an elephant gun.
It may seem difficult at first, but you can simplify your business. Viewing your business through a simpler lens allows you to use your time more effectively. You learn what to say no to and help team members do the same. If thereâs fat to cut, trim it â and youâll see your business prosper.
Donât let a word like âcanâtâ hold you back from achieving your business goals. Your desire is what will lead you, and itâs what will assist you with simplifying your business to where it needs to be for you, your team, and, most importantly, your clients.
Need a little help getting started with your business goals? Check out the Business Planning eBook from TruMethods to help you start putting actionable plans in place for achieving your vision.
Product Specialist - Market Analytics RealPage, Inc.
6y"What you mean is you don't want to"