Perturbation (n):
a deviation of a system, moving object, or process
from its regular or normal state or path,
caused by an outside influence
During this time of uncertainty and change the question you should be asking yourself daily as a business owner is “what am I doing to make sure my business is stronger than ever when we come out of this situation?”
It may feel like there are no guarantees in life right now, yet I can guarantee you this – if you aren’t asking this question and actioning your answer every day, one of your competitors are. Simply put, this is the difference between a business that will thrive and a business that will fail under the pressure of the coronavirus business crisis.
I talk a lot with my clients about perturbation. About the need for change which can often be forced upon them by outside influences and the way to handle this type of pressure.
Visualise a pan of still water; this is your status-quo and the level at which you feel comfortable. When change is introduced, your pan of water starts to simmer. Your emotions and feelings begin to bubble and rise to the surface. At this point you have two options:
(1) you can turn the heat down – avoid all change and watch as your water returns to its previous still state.
(2) you can turn the heat up – embrace the change and force your water to boil and change into something new. You can take control of the process as your water evolves into steam.
I encourage you to embrace option 2. You see, there has never been a better time for your business to change and evolve than right now.
Moving from a state of ‘simmering’ to ‘steam’ is no easy feat. During perturbation you will experience a release of emotions that trigger your need for change. Be acutely aware of these. Let them out – cry, scream, curse, laugh, feel fear, panic, loss – then regain control and use your emotions to equip yourself for the fight.
You may need someone else’s support to encourage and guide you through this stage. Reach out and ask for help. Seek guidance. Don’t be afraid to try. You must push yourself to think harder, plan smarter, work more effectively and not only test your limits, but smash through them and discover more.
If you feel dissatisfied with the current state of your business, what are you going to do to change it? If you have a vision for the future of your business, what are you going to do to make it a reality? What can you change right now to shape your future?
Now is the time to get creative, to think outside the box, to make changes and implement ideas. The world as we know it is changing and it won’t ever change back. An online, virtual market place and working environment will prevail – are you ready?
