I love this quote, don’t you?
‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass it is about learning to dance in the rain’
I love it because it continues to remind me that whatever is going on beyond our control, we have the capacity to be able to choose our own destiny. None of us can stop the ugly economic times we’ve been facing for the past four years, and are likely to continue to face this year, but we can choose how we respond to it. There is literally nothing to be gained from hiding under your proverbial umbrella, waiting for this to all go away, because it’s not about to any time soon. Instead we need to dig deep and make the most of the opportunity.
And yes, I really do think there is an opportunity to be had here. When times are tough, many businesses batten down the hatches and stop marketing. It’s counter intuitive but we do it because we think it’s safe. And yet what happens is quite the reverse. We stop communicating with our customers and so they forget about us and go elsewhere. We start the nasty cycle of cutting prices. And our business retracts.
By contrast, if you continue to market your business when others are holding back, your message is amplified, your business will grow and you can use these tough times to propel your business ahead. I know which route I’d rather take!
To continue to grow you need to invest in your business. And that takes balls I know, but that’s why we’re in business isn’t it? Because somewhere, locked away in the deepest recesses of our soul, we have balls.
So come on, let’s get inspired, think big, get out there and make the most of the opportunity. And let’s focus on dancing in the rain rather than waiting for the storm to pass.
Image: ’Learning To Dance In The Rain’ Print by Hello Monkey, NotOnTheHighStreet
Completely agree
Very well put!
This is my favourite quote and one I live by! I agree, we should not just sit back and ride out the storm but grab every opportunity, sift them through the umbrella and make the most of the ones we really want to do! No point being a drowned rat.
Sorry enough with the rain analogies!! Have a great day
Zoe
x
Absolutely Fiona
Nobody told Apple there’s a ‘recession’ on – it’s the same with BNI, we had a badge a while ago that members would wear that said ‘I refuse to participate in a recession.’
I was reminded yesterday of the Hot Dog parable (from adventure stories) :
There once was a man who lived by the side of the road and sold hot dogs from his hot dog stand. In fact, he sold very good hot dogs. He put up highway signs telling people how good his hot dogs tasted. He stood by the side of the road and called out, “Buy a hot dog, mister?” And people bought his hot dogs.
They bought so many hot dogs, the man increased his meat and bun orders. He even moved into a larger premises. He bought a bigger stove so he could meet his customers’ demands. And finally, he brought his son home from college to help out in the family business.
But something happened. His son said: “Father, do you not watch television, or learn anything from the newspapers? Do you not know we are heading for a recession? The European situation is unstable, and the domestic economy is getting worse.”
And the father thought: “My son is a smart boy. He has been to college. He ought to know what he is talking about.”
So the man cut down his meat and bun orders, took down his highway signs, and moved out of the larger premises.
His sales fell almost overnight. “You are right son,” said the father. “We certainly are in a serious recession.”
http://www.adventure-learning-initiatives.com/hot-dog-stand.html
Thank you for all your comments. Love your analogy Zoe and James, that is a really powerful story. Thank you so much for sharing.
What a fabulous quote Fiona! And, you are so right, it does take balls. We’re six months in to our new estate agency and so many people we talk to say how brave we are to set up in the current economic climate – and I know they’re being very genuine when they say that, after all who dares wins!
Fantastic news Jo! Delighted to hear that you are grasping the opportunity by the balls