Are you possessed? No, I don't mean by the demons that
enabled The Exorcist's Regan to turn her head a full 360
degrees. But I have a theory (previously unspoken) that most
successful people are possessed by some force (or spirit, if you
will) that drives you toward your goals. Sometimes this can
manifest itself literally as a voice in your head. Or it can be
just a feeling you get in your gut that leads you in a certain
direction. However your possession manifests itself, it's
important to pay attention. Too many of us are so fixated on the
real and tangible that we ignore the more ephemeral, though it can
lead us to the answers to our questions and challenges.
Now, I'm not telling you to go on a retreat, head for the
beach or take up meditation or yoga. (Not that those are
necessarily bad suggestions, but I, for one, am incapable of
clearing my mind.) Frequently the best solutions come to you when
you aren't even actively seeking them. Suddenly a "what
if" pops into your head. The key here is to not ignore the
niggling thought, but to play it out. What if you lowered your
prices? Would you make more by selling more? What if you changed
your marketing message? What if you targeted an entirely new
audience for your products and/or services? What if you teamed up
with a partner or another business for easier expansion? You get
the picture, right?
I have two good friends in the sunglasses business. The tight
economy (sunglasses are an impulse purchase) and the terrorist
attacks (they sell their sunglasses primarily at tourist
attractions) have hit their business hard this year. Though
revenues still easily top the million-dollar mark, they've had
to scramble to keep up. They've done everything they can to
roll with the punches: lower prices, offer discounts and give away
accessories. These ideas have kept them afloat, allowing the
business to ride out the tough times.
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But in the middle of the tumult, one of the owners had an idea.
It wasn't fully formed, but jumped into his head in the form of
a "what if." Without giving away his idea, I'll tell
you he basically came up with a whole different style of sunglasses
to sell. In a few short months, they had prototypes made, logos
designed, a business plan written and alliances forged. They're
about to go to a trade show to see if this idea will fly. The key
is, when the idea sprang into one of the partner's heads, he
was open to it.
If you think ideas never come to you like this, I would argue
that you're not listening. A psychic once told me every one of
us has psychic abilities; some just pay more attention than others.
So if the ideas are not popping into your head, make them. Play the
"what if" game. Just write down all the "what
if" questions you can think of that are related to your
business. Then look over your list and see what's doable.
Before you undertake any radical changes, ask yourself, what's
the worst that can happen if you do this? If your answer is, it
could put you out of business, don't do it. If not, why not
try?
This has been a rough year for many of us. As I've said
before, rough times don't last forever. Many of us have gone
back to business basics, which is a good thing. But now is the time
to go forward. Spring is about rebirth. 'Tis the season to try
something new. Something different. Anyway, that's what the
voice in my head is telling me.