DISQUS

Raza Imam · 1 year ago

You're spot on man. For the longest time I thought my business was going to go nowhere. I figured that most companies already had a vendor that they like.

Then I decided to get aggressive and see what problems I can solve. I realized that most companies in my industry (outsourcing) are lousy and most clients are unhappy. Then I decided to make fun of my entire industry with a blog http://BoycottSoftwareSweatshops.com

The results have been great. I'm unique, personable, and funny. By changing the way I looked at my business I was able to grow with very little money and effort.

Raza Imam
http://BoycottSoftwareSweatshops.com

Joshua · 1 year ago

It's a valuable and self-confidence building things you have shared. great. Thanks

Daniel Sitter, Idea Seller · 1 year ago

I just wrote an article concerning change as well John. Accepting the inevitability of change is important; Directing your business activities to flow with it and take advantage of opportunities brought on by change is critical.

Getting uncomfortable, learning new skills and setting the bar higher will impact every aspect of ourselves and our businesses. Change is such a dynamic and wonderful occurence, something to be embraced, not feared.

Kelly Wissink · 1 year ago

I think your right John. Fear holds most people back. What if I fail? So what, that's what entrepreneurs are good at. Entrepreneurs learn from their mistakes. As a teacher, I'm a life long learner striving to get better at marketing. Find your niche and look for change and full steam ahead.

Kelly Wissink

How You Can Build a Successful Internet Business

pamslim · 1 year ago

Very wise and timely post John!

After 11 years in business, I am AMAZED at how much there still is to learn. And not just to "know more stuff," and not just because social media/Web 2.0 stuff is more complex, but because since we continue to change in our personal lives, our businesses change with us.

Pushing out of comfort zones is so hard, but so worth it!

We just got a new 2008 calendar with a great quote from St. Augustine:

"Faith is believing what you don't see. The reward of faith is seeing what you believe."

Kind of sums up the entrepreneurial journey, doesn't it?

-Pam

John Jantsch · 1 year ago

Hey Pam, Yes it would have made it so much easier if my parents would have just told me what I know now!

Jan Marie Dore · 1 year ago

Your post is very thought provoking John. Thanks for the wake-up call. I agree that change is uncomfortable, but very necessary in these changing times. I mentor professional women to shift their business model away from just trading time for money. Your steps are really a roadmap to get there.

Thriveal · 1 year ago

I agree with you, John.

Change is so necessary in my firm, as well. To continue growing, we always have to continue changing.

I, too, have written about change at my blog.

Thanks, Jason M. Blumer

Mike at Harbour Pilot · 1 year ago

I get uncomfortable when things don’t change, or at least intensely bored, which for me is the same thing. That can be just as dangerous, as you start to break things, just to provide some excitement. Hmmm, it sounds worse than it is, I hope.

I like the new skills approach – especially reading/learning new things. It gives me an outlet for that impulse, and reinforces my patience for execution. Lately - neurology and its impact on psychology and buying behavior. Of course, I am presently convinced that 25% of the world have only a weak grasp on reality as it is...

Often I find this does lead to new ideas that are world altering, or at least to new ways of doing things that can shift a lot of people’s daily lives.
Mike

Lee Knight · 1 year ago

I think your wisdom can apply more broadly to individuals as well -
"change is the ultimate secret to [personal] growth".

As a career/personal coach who specializes in helping overachievers (www.overachievercoach.com), I couldn't agree with you more - change leads to growth.

The difficulty comes when we aren't able to make changes. We have to overcome our own inertia, habits, and fear of change before we can get to our greater potential. Just as in business, we have to look past the "well-defined" path to immerse ourselves in more challenging situations where we'll learn more about ourselves and what works or what doesn't.

From a coaching standpoint, the first step is to help the individual or business recognize the benefits to change. Once they have the desire for growth, and knowing that it will require change, then the next step is to makes this change real. By focusing on smaller, manageable steps, we're able to create change without too much anxiety. Growth happens as we absorb the lessons and wisdom along the way as we work our way into new opportunities either in life or business.

Thanks for the insightful post!

Adam Kayce : Monk at Work · 1 year ago

Thanks for the post, John — it's just what I needed right now.

I don't know if I can add any more to the conversation than what has already been said, and, I think these are great points to keep in mind (I pasted them to my eternal planning document, so I'll be able to revisit them in perpetuity) as we go through all sorts of changes in our lives.

Thanks again.

Layla · 1 year ago

I think the best part of your post was the "Get What You're Worth". Too many businesses worry about having a large number of clients; instead of focusing on keep their best ones happy and successful.

Dana Suazo · 1 year ago

Thank you for the post. It has a lot of useful information. I agree with you that change is very hard for a lot of people and it seems entrepreneurs in particular get stuck working in the business instead of taking it to the next level.