45% of corporate executives now rely more on instinct than on facts and figures in running their businesses, according to a survey that was conducted in May 2002 by executive search firm Christian & Timbers. It’s not enough to have all of the research, data points, surveys, etc. – you can have all of the data in the world, but you still have to make a decision.
Entrepreneurs who take data into consideration, then pair it with what their gut tells them have some of the most successful and exciting businesses. Each failure and each victory have a part to play in honing in our “gut instincts” for future decisions. Entrepreneurship is an exercise in intuition, so it’s a good idea to tap into it and hone in on it whenever possible. Here are a few things to try.
Why Looking Toward Your Inner Guidance Is Best For Your Business | Stephanie Burns
1. Turn Your Every Failure Into A Victory
With the number of businesses that fail each year, it’s easy to fall into a daunting, disheartening depression. But if you ask any veteran business owner how they’ve overcome that feeling, they will tell you that they have learned just as much from their failures as they have from their success.
“There’s always positivity in the lows and failures of business success. Those moments are building blocks to pave your path to greater rewards,” says serial entrepreneur Ricola Elizabeth. Elizabeth is also the owner of Perfect Distraction hair salon.
“I never allowed a failure in my business beginnings to prevent me from achieving my ultimate goal. Overcoming negative moments is how we build resilience as entrepreneurs.”
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2. Preemptively Create Solutions
Whether you find yourself in the finance, sales, real estate, or technology sectors, there are always problems. But what do you do when you are first faced with a problem – do you look to find more problems or create a way to reduce and/or eliminate them altogether?
“As business owners and entrepreneurs, we tend to focus more on chasing after the problems than preemptively creating solutions,” says Coltyn Simmons, the founder of Custom Fit Real Estate. Simmons created the “Update Before You Sell Program” to help homeowners maximize their profit on the sale of their house by removing visual objections through updates and repairs, creating greater value.
“Without a fix, potential clients, sales, and opportunities can fall through the cracks. Problems will always arise. But finding solutions before they do is what keeps you and your business ahead of the competition.”
3. An Adaptive Mindset Is Crucial
Stubbornness has no place in entrepreneurship, as it seeks only to destroy anything and everything in its path. Business owners who refuse to accept that our landscape has changed, and we are headed deeper into the digital frontier will be left out to dry, along with anyone who aimlessly follows.
“Without adaptability, you risk leading your employees down the wrong path,” says tax consultant Jackie Meyer. Meyer, the founder and CEO of Meyer Tax Consulting also runs the “Certified Concierge Accountant Mastermind Group,” and uses the old homage of insanity to describe one’s refusal to adapt to the evolving landscape around us.
“Expecting different results when you do the same thing over and over again is insanity. In our ever-changing world, adaptability is one of the most practical tools in your box. Hitting wall after wall with stubborn force might get you to your destination eventually, but learning to scale those walls, go around them, turn around, etc., will save you time, conflicts, employees, and headaches.”
By learning to adapt, pivot, and advance no matter what adversity you face is how to set you, your team, and your business up for success.
4. Listen To Your Inner Guidance
Our greatest source of strength and guidance comes from within. We know, deep down, what is best for ourselves, our business, and our team.
“It is essential that we learn to listen to our inner guidance for answers,” says business consultant Courtney Green, the CEO of Spark Consulting. “All we need to do is clearly ask ourselves a question. ‘What is the next step? What is the best decision for my business at this moment? What does my team need right now?’ We have access to a limitless resource inside ourselves that provides brilliant, simple, and straightforward solutions. Look within and listen.
“We look outside of ourselves for validation, confirmation, recognition. Those outside of ourselves are offering interesting perspectives for us to consider. However, it always comes back to asking ourselves what is right for me right now?”
Every single day, you need to ask yourself these questions and listen to your inner guidance so that you can continue to discover your pathway to success. It is a continuous journey. Ask yourself what seems impossible. Play with the new possibilities that show up in response. Have fun with it. That is the point.
