We are in the last week of our holidays and waiting at the airport in Cancun leaving Mexico and returning to LA for a few more days. And we stuffed up. We had bought small gifts for our family carefully chosen with each person in mind. Our daughter’s boyfriend loves spicy food so we selected a small bottle of hot salsa with a hand-made Mexican figurine glued to the bottle. It was something a little bit different. We decided for safe-keeping to bring the bottle in our carry-on luggage instead of checking it in forgetting that the allowable size for fluids in carry-on is 350ml and the bottle was 400ml. So we had to leave it behind. To say that I was unhappy was an understatement!
OK so let’s put that in perspective. We are on an overseas holiday during BAS-ON so it’s really not that big a deal but initially I wasn’t able to think that clearly. I was furious with myself for being stupid and not packing the bottle with our check-in luggage. Since my husband Neil and I started traveling overseas about five years ago we created a mantra that we have often used while traveling to help us quickly overcome unexpected issues. We say “no phasements”! In other words, there is a good chance that despite our best plans it is possible that the unexpected will happen like this or worse. Whether we let that spoil the rest of our holiday is our choice. We can stay angry or upset or we can get over it quickly by adapting, improvising or just simply letting it go.
In business there are often times where the unexpected happens despite your best efforts. Some things are out of your control like if a client suddenly sacks you saying they weren’t happy even though you know you have consistently delivered uncompromising service and they have distorted the truth rather than taking responsibility. And some things are in your control and maybe you just stuffed up.
My list of stuff-ups while growing my business is vast! And after initially beating myself up about each one and worrying about the consequences I make sure I don’t wallow in that place too long. That’s where an attitude of “No phasements” can help, along with a friend or mentor who understands you to pick you up, dust you off and send you on your way again.
I also ask myself an important question - “What system do I need to create to avoid that from ever happening again?” I take responsibility for what happened even if I wasn’t directly involved. I’m the Leader of my business and that’s what effective Leaders need to do. It could be a system about how the bookkeeping is done, a system about how you’re going to find great bookkeepers or it could be a system related to how you administer and manage your business.
I would love to hear what strategies you use when the unexpected happens.
Also Pete’s put up a new 12 minute video with some great tips about what to do at the different stages of a bookkeeping business – check it out.
And if you’re already a “Friend” feel free to post comments or thoughts whenever you like.
Article by Debbie Roberts
