What you really need to know about owning a business…

by Robb Sutton

It’s funny. As a business owner, you hear a lot of the same things all the time. You need to keep pushing forward, be smart with your money and come up with new an innovative ideas. There are books that are dedicated to these facts as you try to find your way through the journey of making your ideas reality.

However, one of the biggest driving forces in business that brings you to those “next levels” is generally one that now one really talks about. I find it ironic…but I also understand why. I do not thing it is something that people want to talk about. So what is it?

To make the big gains, you have to step outside of previous comfort zones.

Ok…I know…right now you are thinking, “Robb…yes, we already know that. This is not new news so why are you treating it like it is?” And you would be right, but I am not talking about gingerly taking on new stresses like calling a new client for the first time, stepping out there and talking in public or finally deciding on a new logo. What I am talking about her is stepping WAY outside of where you feel comfortable to the point that you almost feel like you are in the wrong spot.

Anyone can make small gains by staying relatively comfortable and edging that circle out slowly, but the owners that make the big gains jump outside that box with both feat ready to take on new challenges. They take on the projects that they are not sure they can handle.  They get tasks done in timelines that were thought to be impossible. They reinvest back into the company through capital and education.

Bottomline…to make big gains in business (and in life for that matter), you need to make big, sudden gains in expanding what you consider normal and your area of expertise.

It is all about taking that calculated risk to achieve the impossible. Are there new markets you need to attack that has a risk of failure? Is there the next capital reinvestment gain that could land you more opportunities (for site owners…redesign…for brick and mortar…expansion…for consulting…new markets and clientele)?

Some of the more stressful situations in trying to make those big gains is wondering if the risk is going to pay off. But…when it is done right…they pay off in a big way and even if they don’t, you learn more about the process to insure success for the next time around.

There is one thing for sure though, you do not get anywhere by sitting still and staying completely out of risk as you sit safely in your comfort zone. It is time to get out and see what you are really capable of.

Note from Robb: As you can probably tell by the article and how I treat content in general, I write this sort of content when I need it the most as well. Sometimes by saying it outloud…you force your own hand at getting the job done and hold yourself accountable.

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1 comment

Keith January 27, 2012 - 1:50 pm

Ok, so I was watching the vid of Shit New Dad’s say, clicked on another article and the theme changed 🙂 Love the Eleven40 BTW, I think Brian Gardner really has the responsive stuff down….

See you around the net bro.

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