...do you have a plan to re-emerge and thrive?

Autumn comes before Winter, winter precedes the Spring. Recognising the seasons has been the key to our survival for millennia

“Learn to sow in the spring, or learn to beg in the Fall” Jim Rohn.

Recognise the Season.

There’s no doubt we’re in winter right now.  A depressed economy, Tiered lockdowns and the furlough scheme running until the end of the tax year. For some sectors there is very little hope in sight, sectors such as the entertainment industry, exhibition industry, even to an extent hotels and hospitality.

It’s important to remember that some industries are still thriving and growing. Areas like construction and IT based services are a couple of examples. Remember as well some industries have been galvanised by the changed environment: the Personal Finances industry has adopted “Online Signature Policy” that was previously expected to take around 10 years to adopt.

A Spring always follows the winter, the key is to recognise the signs of a spring, the early shoots, the change in the mood, a change in the light. Recognising the change in ebb and flow around you. The succesful farmer already has a plan for spring, a succesful gardener has already planted, has prepared the soil and the fertiliser, weeded the beds and is ready for a growing season.

Have you prepared for a growing season? Are you aware of the signs of growth, of new beginnings? What would those signs look like for you, for your industry? What would be your first actions for a spring?

Don’t try to make it up as you go along

Firstly take time, to work out what you want to achieve, or review your plans if you already have them. After our experience of the last 12 months, I wouldn’t advise to  plan much more than 6 weeks into the year. A quarterly plan is always good, but if you’re starting from scratch here, things are going to change. What do you realistically want to achieve in those first 6 weeks. Write it down, reflect on it, does it still make sense, does it fire you up to make it happen?

Be Pro-Active

Take action. Action defeats even the worst of grey moods, action finds opportunities and action drives purpose. We are constantly faced with opportunities, pro-active people grab those opportunities faster, more enthusiastically. They recognise opportunity and are ready to grab it and turn opportunity into advantage. Sometimes this is just conversation we start without expectation, or networking meeting we don’t really want to go to, which brings new leads, new ideas, new inspiration.

Face the Fear

So by now we have a plan, and we have committed to take action. A well formed plan has actions, measures progress and has defined outcomes. Take the certainty from your planning and your experience and get started. Now some more subtle tools may be required: the use of affirmations, dream boards, and other tools that keep us motivated to achieve the goal…what is it that drives you forward? And by far the best tool is a simple action plan, taking you step by step through the tasks you need to complete.

Grow in the Spring

As I look out of the window I see buds on the Rhododendron and bulbs springing from the ground. We have entered the season to start growth in business. 2021 is the year of recovery and regrowth. There has never been a time quite like this, the truly brave and the truly dedicated will find ways to flourish and grow their business. What are the first moves you will take, what outcomes do you want to see in the first 6 weeks, in the first quarter of 2021. After winter comes the spring, be prepared for it!