Solving the Business Puzzle - "It Takes a Village!"

by Skip Cohen

Sometimes, the challenge of running a business is a real-life puzzle. Each piece is unique and often requires a slightly different skill to visualize and then put in its place. All along the way, it's like running an obstacle course with speed bumps that slow you down.

I've been working on an entirely new program for my upcoming keynote at ClickCon. I've done hundreds of programs over my career, but this one is special because I want it to be a retrospective about the people and events that have contributed to the industry's growth, as well as my own. Ever put so much thought into a project that you can rarely think of anything else?  

Well, I needed a break and decided to catch up on email. I found a message from a photographer asking my advice to jumpstart a business that's been slowing down. The company has had its ups and downs, but it's slowed down so much that how to build it back up has become critical. She wrote: ...Had some great years and terrible ones. We are ready to give up and close with nothing to fall back on and no retirement. 

There are so many of you who have experienced this kind of frustration. That old line of, if you build it, they well come, just isn't true. You built it, but they're not coming! Sound familiar?

Every business is unique, along with many of the challenges - but there are some common denominators. First is the level of frustration at simply not knowing what to do. Second is believing your situation is so unique that you think you're alone. Last but not least is that point where you just want to pull the blanket over your head and go back to sleep - you just want to give up.

We've all been through it. There isn't a business owner on the planet who hasn't experienced the challenge of not knowing how to fix something in their business or career. The challenge isn't in finding a solution; it's in recognizing all the ways you can pull out of the downward spiral and bring optimism back to the forefront.

Here's my point - just like "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" - it's time to phone a friend. Your frustration is amplified because we're all too close to our own business. You're not looking at the goldmine you're sitting on of past clients, your network, including associates and friends, the resources at your fingertips, or your skill set. You're trapped in a DIY mentality when all it takes is asking for help and a pair of fresh eyes to help you through the maze.

I fell in love with scuba diving in the 90s and the one rule NEVER compromised is that you ALWAYS dive with a buddy. You never hit the ocean alone. So, if you're frustrated because the business isn't growing as you had hoped - then step back. Pull yourself away from work for an hour, a day, whatever it takes to clear your head. Then, jump back in, but with a "buddy." 

Obviously, "buddy" is a metaphor for getting some help. Your "buddy" is everyone and everything you have to get the help you need. A buddy can be a friend or associate, a knucklehead like me, or a conference like ClickCon. Before you accuse me of twisting my point to turn this into an infomercial for a convention - attending every workshop and conference you can is how you build your network. It's how you can recharge your battery before you crash and burn! It's how you get new ideas because everyone has gone through so many of the same challenges.

Take a look at your "village." If you're stuck on a challenge and need a solution, bring in fresh eyes and get some new ideas on the changes you need. And don't forget: Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was your career. Not everything you implement will always work, but that's not the point. Success is about keeping your passion for the craft alive and growing as a business owner and artist.

Remember, as I've written in the past, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it. Step back, hit the reset button, utilize your network, and then make the changes you need to grow. Stop thinking you're alone!