Swimming With Sharks - It"s Ignorance That Costs You the Money
Ever heard that phrase - "pride goes before a fall"? Meaning that sometimes we find it really difficult to admit that we're wrong when in fact we should listen to our guides and mentors - people who are familiar with the terrain.
But there's one thing worse that being too proud - it's being ignorant of the facts upon which you can make an informed and intelligent choice...
One of things that I have had to admit on my own personal entrepreneurial journey - is admitting that I don't have all the answers; And in the beginning I definitely made loads of mistakes because I lacked skill in many areas - OK I will now hold my hand up and say that I lacked so many skills it was frightening! Even Peter Jones admits to being terrified when he started his business working from a tiny little office all on his own.
I made errors through ignorance of the facts.
Deep down I knew this of course.
But I was afraid to admit this and to ask for advice.
I felt that if I admitted I didn't know something that it would make me look stupid, and my credibility would go out of the window.
The trouble with that approach of course is that mistakes could have fatal consequences for your business - loss of revenue could cause your business to bleed to death, your reputation could be scarred forever and ignorance also wastes loads of time.
The problem with trying to do it all on your own (for fear of looking a failure) is that you make even more mistakes; it destroys your self confidence and creates anxiety which can paralyse your thinking.
You could be swimming in the ocean and dynamically interacting with lots of other fish, being dazzled by sea horses and rays, instead of being eaten alive by the sharks.
Or if you choose to stay in your safe little pond where nothing much happens for instance, you are in danger of only hearing one voice - your own.
You may have control - but the scope for growth is almost non-existent.
This could happen to you if you've made a good start with your business, but somewhere along the line, things have started to go wrong.
The recession is a case in point; did it take a big bite out of your profits last year? If you've got a nagging feeling that thing's just aren't right, then it is important to notice this, pay attention and consider getting some mentoring or coaching.
Because if you are ignorant of a few things and aren't prepared to do some investigation or get some feedback, you are leaving yourself open to random chance events, which could come out of the blue and might literally cost you an arm and a leg.
Could the shallow waters of the uninformed be a death trap? Don't make assumptions.
You need to get real, bravely step forth and do something different, which will ultimately lead you to safer waters.
In other words...
don't wait for change to be forced upon you, or wait for the next shark attack.
You need be proactive about things and be armed with the harpoon of knowledge and expertise, for your next fishing expedition.
You must search for the tributary that leads to the ocean where bigger and more experienced fisherman are waiting to help you.
Fail fast, fail often and success cannot elude you...
Until next time Warmest Regards
But there's one thing worse that being too proud - it's being ignorant of the facts upon which you can make an informed and intelligent choice...
One of things that I have had to admit on my own personal entrepreneurial journey - is admitting that I don't have all the answers; And in the beginning I definitely made loads of mistakes because I lacked skill in many areas - OK I will now hold my hand up and say that I lacked so many skills it was frightening! Even Peter Jones admits to being terrified when he started his business working from a tiny little office all on his own.
I made errors through ignorance of the facts.
Deep down I knew this of course.
But I was afraid to admit this and to ask for advice.
I felt that if I admitted I didn't know something that it would make me look stupid, and my credibility would go out of the window.
The trouble with that approach of course is that mistakes could have fatal consequences for your business - loss of revenue could cause your business to bleed to death, your reputation could be scarred forever and ignorance also wastes loads of time.
The problem with trying to do it all on your own (for fear of looking a failure) is that you make even more mistakes; it destroys your self confidence and creates anxiety which can paralyse your thinking.
You could be swimming in the ocean and dynamically interacting with lots of other fish, being dazzled by sea horses and rays, instead of being eaten alive by the sharks.
Or if you choose to stay in your safe little pond where nothing much happens for instance, you are in danger of only hearing one voice - your own.
You may have control - but the scope for growth is almost non-existent.
This could happen to you if you've made a good start with your business, but somewhere along the line, things have started to go wrong.
The recession is a case in point; did it take a big bite out of your profits last year? If you've got a nagging feeling that thing's just aren't right, then it is important to notice this, pay attention and consider getting some mentoring or coaching.
Because if you are ignorant of a few things and aren't prepared to do some investigation or get some feedback, you are leaving yourself open to random chance events, which could come out of the blue and might literally cost you an arm and a leg.
Could the shallow waters of the uninformed be a death trap? Don't make assumptions.
You need to get real, bravely step forth and do something different, which will ultimately lead you to safer waters.
In other words...
don't wait for change to be forced upon you, or wait for the next shark attack.
You need be proactive about things and be armed with the harpoon of knowledge and expertise, for your next fishing expedition.
You must search for the tributary that leads to the ocean where bigger and more experienced fisherman are waiting to help you.
Fail fast, fail often and success cannot elude you...
Until next time Warmest Regards
