Do you ever wonder why you are so quickly and easily successful at some things, yet you continue to fail at others?

Perhaps it is because the pain of creating or undergoing change in that area is more painful than thought or reality of failing. So, you choose failing as a way to avoid change. 

Mind.blown.

For example, I’m very good at failing to keep a workout schedule. It isn’t that I’m incapable of being more fit or meeting my goals. It is simply that my mind has decided the pain of actually going to the gym regularly (i.e., making time, getting dressed in workout gear, driving to the gym, prioritizing over other things, dealing with my belief that I’ll be judged, etc.) is greater than the pain of being less fit than I’d like. 

Now, consider this in the context of your business.

• Have you even launched your business? Or are you too busy perfecting things … one small step at a time? If the latter, the pain of not launching, not leaving your 9-to-5, not making money might feel less than the pain of being seen and potentially not being successful (it’s okay, we all have this thought).
• Are there programs, products, services, etc. that aren’t performing? However, the process of making change (e.g., sunsetting them, doing them differently, finding a new audience for them, etc.) seems more painful than the low-to-no money you make on them?
• Are your sales calls and consults ending with a ‘meh’ feeling? Perhaps the pain of confidently knowing, owning and ASKING for your value feels more intense than the pain of not creating a new client.
• Do you have partners, vendors, clients, contractors, employees who are not in alignment with your business, but you keep on keepin’ on with them? It might be that the process of making change (specifically the difficult conversations) seems more painful than continuing to work with someone who isn’t a match.

You see, It isn’t change itself that scares the bejesus us.

It is the process of change that holds us back.

In all the examples above, the end result of change could actuall be great:

• Launch business -> be seen -> quit unfulfilling job -> make money -> live free.
• Address underperforming parts of your business -> find innovative ways to make them work (or let them go and focus on something else) -> revitalize your business/create new revenue streams.
• Show up for sales calls and consults with confidence in your offer and value -> serve vs. sell -> create clients.
• Address business relationships that aren’t working -> have difficult conversations -> find resolution.

There’s always positive potential outcomes for the change we are avoiding. It’s just that murky in-between part that freaks us out a bit.

What would it look like for you and your business if change could be appropriately initiated, managed and communicated? What might you create, change or stop doing? How might your business thrive?

Change is what keeps your business successful and relevant. Don’t let the fear of the process hold you back from evaluating your work and adjusting to ensure your success.