Putting the Year into Perspective

It’s almost the end of 2019 and we are gearing down for the Festive Season.  As I reflect on the year that’s gone by, it can be very difficult to keep things in perspective in business today in South Africa. It is easy to get caught up in the negativity that makes its rounds and exaggerated by media and socially at the weekend braai.

As a business leader, I decided not to pay attention to this negativity and rather focus on all that’s positive and encourage other businesses and individuals to do the following:

• Always remind your team of what is going well in the business. Try not be distracted by what’s not going well and focus on the progress the business has made and that on-going achievements will only make your business stronger.
• Deal with a bad business situation immediately and don’t let it get out of control. Consider the best outcome so you can take action to achieve a solution.
• See every situation as a learning opportunity. Where things have not gone according to plan, see them as a learning curve to do better the next time around.
• As a leader, keep calm. When things are not going well, it is easy to panic, which tends to make everything worse. Remember to take long, slow breaths which will enable you to get things into perspective and decide what to do next.
• Focus on the bigger picture and your longer term goals. Understand what is really important to you and your business.
• Planning is number one. Put together an action plan and re-prioritise if necessary to move your business forward.
• Be transparent with your team and build trust with one another.
• Expect the unexpected. Have the mantra of “Change is Opportunity” and change will be easier to deal with and accept.
• Be positive. It is always helpful to have a positive attitude. This will make it much easier to keep things in perspective because you will see the positive side of each situation.

I leave you with this thought: When people ask “What do you do?” answer, “Whatever it takes”

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

– Thomas Edison

TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN AND BE A WINNER!