Every business owner wants to be successful. However, each one has a different definition of what that means to him or her – money, security, recognition in the industry, material items (i.e., car, house, boat, country club membership), a legacy, independence or standing in the community. You might describe it differently, but there is something that defines success for you.
Every owner wants it, but very few do anything about getting it. This is because we all have faults keeping us from achieving our goals and dreams. But, successful people persevere in spite of their faults, while others fail because of them. Success does not come easy, which is why most people do not attain it.
There are a lot of reasons why some people reach their goals while others – who are just as smart and talented – do not. Want to reach your goals? Here are two good places to start.
Take personal responsibility
Not taking personal responsibility is a big problem for most owners. They rationalize and deny, rather than take responsibility for their poor management skills, expertise, and knowledge. They rationalize, or make up, what they think are reasonable or creditable excuses for their ineffective behavior. They, also, deny the existence of problems and difficult situations.
Successful people work at minimizing both behaviors; they do not make excuses for themselves. Good, bad or indifferent they take responsibility for and learn from their productive and unproductive actions.
We all have limited resources (time, money, people, help/support, and energy). People who spend them on making excuses, justifying their behavior and denying problems are not looking for solutions. At best their difficulties stay the same, but usually, they get worse. People who spend their resources on finding solutions pull far ahead of those who do not.
Expect more of yourself
Business owners often have different rules for themselves than they do for others. “It’s my company, and I get to act any way I want” is a common response when an owner’s poor behavior is pointed out to him. He will not hold himself to a normal, let alone high standard of performance, but he expects it of clients, employees, vendors, service providers, etc.
The typical owner has a “just get it done; it is good enough, I don’t want to deal with problems” philosophy. This produces work which: has to be apologized for, needs to be redone or fixed, loses clients and creates high warranty costs. In the workplace, the business owner’s attitude is equally short-sighted. It leads to distrust, low morale, high turnover, and theft. In many businesses “mediocre” turns profits into losses.
There is no secret to getting ahead – successful people do the things unsuccessful people are not willing to do. They hold themselves to a high standard, where excellent work is the only acceptable work. They understand that focus, dedication and a willingness to learn results in achieved goals and realized dreams.
Every owner’s situation is unique. Success is personal, and only you can say if you have reached it. Unfortunately, most people say they have not accomplished it, and probably never will. You do not have to be in that group. Taking personal responsibility and expecting more of yourself can keep you out of it.
At Cogent Analytics, we never stop looking for ways to improve your business and neither should you. So, check out some of our other posts for helpful business information:
