Small Business Failure

Why Your Business is Stagnating Part 2

Written by Jay Shapiro for Gaebler Ventures

Have things ground to a halt with your small business? Then something's jamming up the works good and proper. Have you ever considered that it might be you?

In part two of a two part article, Jay shares four more things you may be doing that have brought your company to a hault.

Self-sacrificing behaviors-

This is often a problem with women in business, although it can be a trait in men as well. People who are natural nurturers can sometimes be so to their detriment. This type of attitude can lead to you sacrificing your own dreams and not utilizing your gifts because you are too busy paying attention to everyone else. When this happens we can end up feeling frustrated, resentful and restricted.

Playing the martyr isn't necessary and sacrifice should be balanced. Take a long hard look at your business and the life you. If you put everyone before yourself then you'll have no time and energy to devote to your business.

Superhero or savior behaviors -

Naturally we feel responsible for the well being of our loved ones. But it's very easy to get so sucked into other's problems that and leave no time to deal with our own concerns. If you've ever shut up shop to go rescue a friend then you are no doubt a good persona and the friend lucky to have you. Once in awhile that may happen. If you find yourself repeatedly putting business on the back burner to save someone in need then you're not striking the right balance.

That doesn't mean you can't be there for those who need you, but instead of dashing out to buy chocolates and a weepy movie for the friend whose boyfriend just dumped her, why not comfort her on the phone and arrange a time that's convenient to you both to do the chocs and crying routine?

Are you self harming your business? -

This is a bit of a taboo topic and the word sabotage does tend to indicate that the damage is being done on purpose. However, that's not always the case. You can sabotage your business on subconscious level.

What usually happens is that we say we require one thing but we don't really believe we can achieve it. Of course then doubt sets in and we become afraid to take action for fear of failure. Procrastination is a form of sabotage. In fact any excuses are a form of sabotage as they cause everything to grind to halt.

Second besting -

If there are areas of your business life, or personal life that aren't how you want them then you could be 'second besting'. This happens when you resign yourself to accepting situations that are not satisfactory. Why do you do this? You do it because:

• you've convinced yourself you don't deserve better or
• you think that making changes will be too complicated

It may well be daunting, thinking about change, and it will certainly take energy and time to implement it, but that's time and effort spent in a positive way. Sitting and stagnating can never have a positive outcome.

After examining the points above, see if you can think of ways to change the way you operate and the way you se things. A small step in the right direction won't hurt and it will definitely benefit your business in the long term. Sitting doing nothing won't. No need to kick ass here, take it slow, be good to yourself and your business.

Jay Shapiro is a freelance writer based in the UK. Jay has a particular interest in the emotive aspects of the entrepreneur's character. "Alongside the nuts and bolts of business, the character of the person is often the ingredient responsible for success."

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