Wandering through the Woods
I just got done reading Dawud’s answer to my question . . . What advice would you give to a friend whose audience wasn’t his niche market group? He laid out a set of six factors that the person might consider to refocus again.
At the end of his article, Dawud left me (and you) with a question.
So Liz, what would you suggest my friend do if they looked around and found themselves lost with their business?
Being lost is not a fun thing. I get that way on a regular basis, so I ought to know.
Whether we’re walking through the woods by the river in my old hometown, or navigating the issues of a business that seems out of control, getting lost is a real situation that we can only deny for so long. Walking in circles doesn’t get us anywhere.
If your friend is stuck, the first I would do is introduce myself and ask him to sit down. Then we’d take a moment to breathe.
I’d let him know that I’m on his side and that no one stays lost for long. He’d get a few minutes to tell me about his journey.
Only a few minutes. . . . no point in spending time talking about what isn’t working, at least not while we’re still lost.
If it’s possible, I get your friend out of his usual work environment. The best would be to get outside where there is sky and trees. Figuring out how to unbundle and unburden chaos is so much easier when we’re not surrounded by human-made things. As a second choice any neutral ground will do.
Then I’d ask, “Who are you What do you love doing? Who loves what you love to do?” My guess is that he’d probably try to tell me why he’s not doing it. I’m kind of relentless at times like that — I wouldn’t let him talk about how he got lost.
You can’t get “unlost” until you know where you are and where you want to go.
Some folks take longer than other folks, but we’d talk until I understood what his answers to those three questions are. All along the conversation, I’d keep checking to make sure that I was hearing what he said.
When we agreed that we both had a clear picture of who he is, what he loves doing, and who loves what he does, then we’d return to the state of his business now.
With the first part decided, the second part becomes easier. Hold up the business to day to see how it’s not doing what we’ve just defined. Then carve the path to bring reality back in line with the definition.
That’s how I’d start to help your friend who is lost.
Many paths lead out of the woods. How would you help a business friend who is lost?
And Dawud, I’ll leave you with this question for next week.
What do you do when your business is going well and close friend’s is not?
If you’re reading this, I’d love to hear your answer too.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
One2One is a cross-blog conversation. Find the answer at dawud miracle on Monday. You can see the entire One-2-One Conversation series on the Successful Series page.
Hey Liz,
I love your list of successful women bloggers. My blogging career is just getting started and I would love to be considered with the best. Our focus is very similar. My direct sales specific site is all about resources and ideas for the direct sales professional: http://www.CreateACashFlowShow.com The world of the entrepreneur does not have to be a man’s world. I am really impressed that you are speaking at he bloggers summit. I love Chicago and just got back from presenting a direct sales seminar down town. Deb Speaks at http://www.DebBixler.com I will be checking my calendar to see if another trip to Chicago will be due so soon! Thanks for all of the links to check out of other women bloggers. Deb
Hi Deb,
Not sure how this comment ended up here, but I’ll leave a link to the post that you mention.
https://www.successful-blog.com/1/the-w-list-gathering-a-list-of-outstanding-women-bloggers/
If you make it to Chicago, be sure to give me a ring. 🙂
Hi Liz!
Those three questions you’ve just asked are really good to getting someone to figure out what to do next. As until now I haven’t had my own business, I never faced this exact situation. I faced situations where my career was stuck, I needed to decide what I wanted to do next and try to act on it. And I started by asking myself what I’d like to do in the future. Up to know, it’s been a great way to guide myself.
HI Alina!
Yep, it’s as basic as that. You have to know where you want to go to get there. 🙂