This is one of my absolute favorite quotes. “Make sure everyone in your boat is rowing and not drilling holes when you’re not looking.” I don’t remember who said it first. But you’ll probably see me (or hear me) use it again and again. Because owning a business can sometimes feel like you’re rowing upstream. And you certainly don’t need the added headaches of someone drilling holes in your boat. Right?
But who would be drilling holes in your boat?
Well, doubters. And they’re everywhere. Sure as the sun is yellow. Or is it really some other color and we’ve just been trained, through our culture, to believe it’s yellow. See? That’s how doubters try to sneak into your brain. So, here’s what you do. Send your doubters somewhere else. Because you’ve got work to do.
It takes a lot of courage to own (and run) your own business. And that means the only people you need around, on a regular basis, are the ones who will support you.
Naturally they don’t have to be as passionate about your business as you. After all, who would be? But they DO need the skills and willingness to stick by you through thick and thin. And they should be there to listen and encourage.
You had the idea. And you brought it to life. And you nurture it so it’ll grow. Because you want it to be able to stand on its own two feet. And make something of itself. Right? Of course!
But then, along come the doubters.
The ones who, when the seas get a little rough, are ready to give up. And since they refuse to go on, they want you to give up, too. After all, what if you succeed and make them look bad for doubting? But you refuse to quit. So, they start drilling holes in your boat.
Doubters don’t see how your business is a part of you. They just see it as an idea you try as long as everything is easy. And they don’t wanna hear the old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
They just wanna let go. And get you to let go, too.
I remember talking about all this with one of my clients. The business owner’s wife doesn’t understand his passion for building his business. And her doubts slow down his productivity and success. A lot! Because he’s torn between consistently explaining his efforts to her and focusing on day-to-day business chores.
That’s part of why it’s so important to build your business to be more independent and self sufficient. Then it won’t consume you and your time. And you won’t be accidentally drilling holes in your own boat. Plus, it’ll chew up the doubters and spit ‘em out.
And you set yourself up that way with a proven system. It’s basically the only way you’ll build your business better and faster. And you know what that means? More time with those closest to you.
I don’t doubt it a bit.
So, get yourself a copy of my RondaReady System Book and Get Ready to Be Ready and…
Stay Ready,
Ronda