Business as usual - interrupted.
In early April, what began as a routine day quickly escalated into a swift trip to the emergency room. The next day, I was ushered into surgery. This was my first-ever surgical experience and the weeks of recovery that followed were a profound journey of resilience and adaptation.
Being a one-woman-show in my business meant everything I had in motion came to a screeching halt. It was a bit chaotic and distressing – adding a layer of anxiety to an already precarious situation.
Nothing like riding a gurney into the O.R. to stir up an existential showdown with your best laid plans.
I was fortunate to have a great medical team, and to be honest, the whole thing was much easier than my imagination led me to believe. Nonetheless, it was six days before I could sit at my desk again and reschedule all my cancelled appointments.
Recently, I’ve been facilitating website Solutions Calls with a handful of social enterprises, witnessing firsthand the innovative approaches these businesses take to adapt and thrive, against the odds. It’s inspiring, just what I needed to restore my confidence.
And it got me thinking about some ways we might take notice and make sure we’re ready for the next setback – because it’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN.
Preparing for a catastrophe
One of my tendencies is what I refer to as ‘bracing for impact.’ It’s the M.O. of the anxious person to persistently get ‘ready’ for the next catastrophe.
It’s exhausting. If you know, you know.
Routinely, I have to very consciously relax my body, take a FULL breath and mentally remove the burden of being ‘ready for it.’ Trust the Universe, but also trust my undeniable ability to handle almost anything, even without preparation.
Even so, having some money in the bank really gave me comfort. I’ve worked hard to grow a safety fund, dropping a small amount into a brokerage account every month – an account that is a pain in the a$$ to withdraw funds from. And it was, hands-down, the best thing I could have done for myself and my ability to recover.
Financial cushioning can absolutely make or break your ability to weather a storm.
Safety funds (aka emergency funds): Aim to save enough to cover at least 3-6 months of operating expenses. I know, easier said than done. Just get started and keep dropping money into the ‘cookie jar’ until you get there.
Insurance: Review your insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage for various disasters, including property, liability, and business interruption insurance. Give some thought to short-term disability, as well.
Diversify revenue streams: Explore different revenue sources to reduce dependency on one line of business. Have at least one revenue stream from a more passive business activity that can continue being delivered, even while you sleep off your pain meds.
Leveraging Your Network
Admittedly, I can sometimes be a little TOO committed to my introversion. A friend recently told me, “You’re a cat. You need care, but not too much stimulation or holding.”
It’s true. It’s also true that my best friend IS a cat. An actual cat. Lol
The reality is that we are not cats (no matter how much we’d like to be). We are humans. And humans need to belong to a group or family of other humans.
It’s not all about finding your ‘besties.’ We need all kinds of people in our circles, even the ones who challenge us and don’t always agree.
We also need to be NEEDED, to be a source of support, candor and resources for others. Being needed is our core purpose.
When the chips are down in your business, who’s got your back?
Local Business Groups: Join some local groups where you can tap into resources, advice or emotional support from people who get you and care about your success.
Collaborations & Partnerships: Create an “A Team” of skilled people you can access when you need someone to fill a gap or take over a project you can’t finish.
Client Referrals: To bounce back from a financial setback, ask past clients to refer you to their contacts. Their endorsement helps boost your credibility and can stir up projects when you need them most.
Staying Flexible
There I was, in the ER with an IV hanging out of my arm. I had no choice but to start texting my clients and canceling meetings. I HATE canceling meetings.
When I returned home, it was several weeks before I slept through the night. My days were chopped up into bite-sized chunks of gentle productivity. I had to keep a notebook at my side to capture all the STUFF from my brain that my body couldn’t energize.
I was, in essence, forced to ignore the small stuff and spend my limited time and energy on only the urgent and important things.
I (re)learned how the small stuff can always wait.
Be honest: Trust people to understand and lend you some grace. Everyone knows a catastrophe is never avoidable.
Give Yourself a Break: Cut yourself some slack. Set reasonable goals for getting back on track and don’t sweat the small stuff.
Innovate: Use a time of transition as an opportunity to experiment with new ideas and innovation. Test different approaches to marketing, try new product lines, or streamline services. Small-scale experiments can provide insights without the risk of a major commitment, allowing you to adapt more effectively.
Whether it’s navigating a global pandemic or shifting market demands, the ability to persevere through adversity is a common thread for all of us running a business.
As I continue to recover from my recent off-road adventure, I’m reminded that each challenge, whether a health scare or a business hurdle, teaches us new lessons on resilience, patience, and self-compassion—qualities that define us as successful business leaders and individuals.
Always remember to look for the bright spots. Because there are always bright spots.
Leave a comment if you’ve had a recent interruption in your business. How are you doing? What do you need right now?
Experiencing a setback or slowdown in your business? Book a 90 minute Solutions Call to collaborate, take action and find your momentum again.