Last week, I wrote about saying “no” in your business.

In the days after posting it, I realized another place where we need to say “no”, if you will — and it’s one which is possibly much more important.

It’s about how we, as business owners, process the world around us.

Frankly, I’m tired of seeing small business owners who are “beaten down” by all the fear and stress in their lives, and there is one major source for it — which I would like to have you understand is entirely optional.

And I suggest you “opt-out”, if you will.

Randall Hancock On Saying No and Staying Focused in 2015 (Part 2)
“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.” -John Burroughs

Life as a small business owner isn’t always a trip in the sunshine.

But it’s made so much harder by the tendency of our world to suffocate you with mental junk and global negativity.

I believe that the number #1 danger for small business owners moving forward in 2015 is allowing today’s world to starve your brain with “junk food” and deaden your spirit with the overwhelming feeling that you are small, insignificant … helpless.

I’ve learned to avoid the 24-7 news channels, and the sites online that traffic in fear. I figure that I’ll see what I need to when seeking out resources for our clients about current events. But recently, I did, in fact, watch some CNN.

Now, CNN is about as bland as you can get — it’s “normal” to “normal” people. But I also realize, most “normal” people accomplish relatively little in their time on this planet (at least on the outside). Those of us who are going somewhere in life must have better things to do than to listen to talking heads opine about dozens of tragedies that we can’t (and won’t) be able to do anything about.

But right now, the world is swimming in negativity. And you need to be serious and proactive about it. Because — if you don’t — it’ll kill your business, kill your sales, kill your dreams and everything you really care about.

The mass news media is NOT your friend.

They feed on fear, and they sell paranoia, division and hyperbole. It’s what they do.
And not only must you protect yourself from this drip, drip, drip of depression, you need to fight it on behalf of your clients.

Tell them what’s good. Greet them with a smile and with encouragement. Tell them what they’re doing right. Give them a voice to the hope within their bones–which is too often buried in a junkpile of media-fueled negativity.

You (and they) need to celebrate little tiny victories. Every. Day.

This is an essential skill for a business owner: when you have a major victory in your life, you need to find encouraging people who will celebrate it with you. Because good news is good news indeed.

Best to you. May your 2015 be full of JOY.

Feel very free forward this article to a Birmingham business associate or client you know who could benefit from our assistance — or simply send them our way? While these particular articles usually relate to business strategy, as you know, we specialize in tax preparation and planning for Birmingham families and business owners. And we always make room for referrals from trusted sources like you.

Warmly (and until next week),

Randall Hancock
(205) 715-4488
Randall M. Hancock CPA, PC