We all go through our share of ups and downs. Things that go right in our lives and things that go wrong. Those ups and downs are inevitable. What isn’t inevitable, is how we react to them.
It was a tough day for me. When running this business, things can happen that negatively affects my business as a whole, and in turn, negatively effects my psyche. I lost a client today because I didn’t check after an employee at a house we were cleaning. There were issues with crumbs on the floor and table. I got so wrapped up in my own work that I didn’t think to check after the person working with me.
This caused a rather large client to end our business relationship. I was devastated. This was one of the only times I have had issues with a client and the first client I have lost because of it. I just sat in the house I was cleaning allowing all the pessimistic drivel enter my mind. I wanted to give up everything and change careers. I started the negative self-talk, thinking I am not good enough to run a business, that this is the start of the end.
I am still feeling it. I am depressed, upset with myself, my confidence dwindled to the back wash in a cup once filled with pride for my work and accomplishment.
I am at the crossroads of thought. Choosing to either: make a negative situation into a complete dismantling of what I built, or spin things around and turn it into a positive. But how? How do I turn this around when I am already spiraling downward into the abyss of despair?
Choosing to not go further
I can’t allow myself to sink any further. Like quick sand, the more I try to move and panic, the quicker my demise. I have to stop and think on this. Process what happened and the mistake that was made. Not using the thoughts to tear myself down, but use the time to meditate on the emotions I feel. I want to place a mental location pin on this moment and decide that I want out of this hole.
Stop beating myself up.
It takes a lot of discipline to not beat myself up. I conditioned myself years ago to think: “everything that happens in my life, is because of me, that I was broken. Most of you already know that I was a alcoholic and a drug abuser. Now that I am a year and a half sober, I have the mental stamina to see past the self-loathing and discover my own self-awareness. I am human, we all have our flaws, we all make mistakes. It’s going to happen to us. ALL OF US. Why do I beat myself up for something that we all do?
Think of all the good
I take a lot of time dwelling on one negative thing. So much, that the the good fades into the background. One bad situation, makes everything else irrelevant. One thing I am figuring out that I need to still see the bigger picture. All companies have their issues. It will NEVER be a smooth process. There will always be hookups. I had to start thinking about all the clients who are pleased with my work. Clients that are happy with the service I provide. I have all 5 stars on google. People are thrilled with the work I have done in their home. This one bad day does not define all the good ones. This one failure does not compare to all the accomplishments I have made building this company up. Now that my mindset is focused on the good, I feel better about the bad situation because good things are still to come.
Get back to it
The whole “falling off the horse” statement is a huge cliche but it’s still true. It is not the time to give up on what I have built. It should never be a time to give up. When running a business, If I throw in the towel after one lost client then there is no hope of me making it at all in this world. Everything has it’s moments of frustration, anger and sadness. However, relief, joy and happiness is right around the corner and I choose to not sit in the shit if you will. I am prepared to make this business even better. I am prepared to improve myself as well. Changing gears and moving on.
If anyone is going through something similar or have the similar display of emotions, I hope this helps you. Whether it’s a business, new job, school, relationship…etc, the wheel of emotion flows through all of us and its turned by the things that go on in our lives. This system of thought can help process our emotions.
- Stop and let yourself feel these emotions. Meditate on them.
- Love Yourself
- Reflect on all the good in the world. In your world.
- Get up. Start again. While your heart still beats.
It helped me just to write this. I am not going to continue to let this get me down. I am going to let it motivate me to grow and be better. As a business owner, as a lover and as a human.