What Are You Really Waiting For?

Are your results not what you expected or even hoped for? Have you made adjustments to your strategy, but things just aren’t working? Your results tell you something has to change soon, but what? I talk to so many people who are in this situation, yet they hesitate to act. Why? Are you waiting to see what the latest "expert" says is the best practice? Good luck with that. There is a new self-proclaimed expert every week. Are you waiting to see next month’s reports? If you don’t take any action, what is going to be different next month? Are you just confused and afraid if you take action things may get worse? How much worse can they get?

If you are waiting for any other of these events, then you are suffering from paralysis by analysis as you wait to collect every possible piece of information? Making small tweaks to the same tired processes or programs will get the job done. You have the proof. You see the results. Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

The best thing about the internet age is we have access to so much information. The worst thing is about the internet age is we have access to so much information. We cannot possibly gather, understand, and react to the daily avalanche of information.

I ask every company I work with three basic questions:

1. Where are you now?
2. Where do you want to be?
3. What fear is stopping you from getting to where you want to be?

Usually, fear shows up in one of three areas:

1. Not enough time.
2. Not enough money.
3. Not enough experience.

The reality is you have the time. You are wasting it chasing your tail. You are working harder and longer. You have added staff, but things are not getting better. Your frustration is increasing and it is affecting every area of your life. So what is the problem? I have heard “But Frank, it is faster and easier for me to just do it than delegate or train staff.” Do you want to be a leader or the highest paid clerk at your company?

You are wasting time working “in your business and not on your business.” You are too involved in the day to day details. Your staff is going through the motions. They are making their problems your problems and you are allowing it to happen. They go home at five and you spend another two to three hours doing their job! Is this going to get you where you want to go?

You have the money. You are just spending it on poor options while you hope for an epiphany. While you are waiting and ringing your hands, your cash reserves continue to fly out the door. You may have considered hiring a consultant, but probably decided you could not afford it. Wouldn’t it be better to spend some money working with someone who has been where you are and can address your situation with a fresh set of eyes and new ideas? Waiting is almost always more expensive than action.

No one will ever have all the necessary experience. Gather the available information, collaborate with your trusted advisors and make what you believe to be a good course of action. There is a risk to every decision. So, test the water by taking small steps. You are not locked into this action. Taking action starts the ship sailing. Once the ship leaves the dock you adjust the sails as needed.

So what are you really waiting for? Call me. Let’s talk. I’ll help you.