Like the rules of wedding crashing, there are also rules of business. Although I am not the biggest fan of an environment dominated by rules and structure, there is one rule above all that resonates in my professional life.
RULE #1: Business is not personal.
There I said it. I know it may seem harsh, but in a world where the bottom line means everything and there isn’t a middle ground, you’re either growing or dying.
Recently, I’ve been in the position where I’ve had to make some very difficult business decisions that affected me deeply on a personal level. It was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with in my professional life. On one hand, you’re forced to put people’s feelings and personal life situations aside and need to do what’s best for the company’s long term success. However, in the process of building the business you realize the strong personal relationships that are forged by the shared experiences.
I’ve compared growing a small business to fighting a war in some of my past blogs. The sad reality is that in any battle you’re going to lose some troops and that is not easy to deal with. But it’s important to keep the faith because true success comes in winning the war.
“March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.” ~Khalil Gibran
Armed with a positive mental attitude and a renewed understanding and belief in the overall vision I am energized and excited about the prospects for the future!
