#SMBTwit! Long time lurker, first time poster. Trying to do my part in providing value to the community (with my 6 followers, I'm sure this will go far...). One thing I think is highly underestimated (or less discussed) is the mental strength required to run a business (1/12)
It's lonely out there as the SMB CEO, and many people who come from the corporate world know it's going to be hard, but don't truly realize just how it will FEEL in the tough times. And no matter how rough it was in the corporate world (100 hour weeks, bad bosses, etc.)... (2/12)
For example, I'll admit to you all I've dry heaved into a toilet before I was so f****** scared (for no reason, really, it's funny how your mind will do that to you). Never did that happen to me during in my corporate jobs where I'd work a couple 120 hour weeks in a row. (3/12)
In case anyone else out there is feeling the CEO pains (or will in the future), a few things that have helped me improve my mental strength and gotten me through the harder cycles: (4/12)
1. Step back from your immediate thoughts ASAP. When you're in the rough times, remember that your thoughts are not a reliable partner. Your brain is hard-wired to quickly think of the worst case scenarios ("is there a tiger behind that bush")... (5/12)
...not a multitude of scenarios like you do rationally (with time and perspective). And, that worst case scenario is unlikely to happen because you would pivot/make moves to make sure it didn't happen... (6/12)
...Plus, in the event those worst case scenarios happen, it's more ego damaging than actually damaging in the grand scheme of things. (7/12)
2. Document your why and have well-planned goals. It's easy to get stuck in the immediate problems, but when you can remind yourself WHY you're doing this really hard thing, and the goals you're trying to achieve, you remember this was part of the deal... (8/12)
...If you want outsized returns, you're going to experience volatility along the way. (9/12)
3. Have someone to talk to. I've found it helpful to have an executive coach at times, but it doesn't have to be a formal arrangement. Just like you need to coach yourself, it's also great to have someone coach you... (10/12)
...IMO, that person shouldn't be a spouse or business partner. You need someone with truly outside perspective in the bad times AND the good times. (11/12)
Hopefully someone finds this helpful! Shoutout to the SMB gang who is always dropping knowledge on all of us! (@joshuamschultz, @JoeCassandra, @SullyBusiness, @SamtLeslie, @SMB_Attorney, @Codie_Sanchez, @WilsonCompanies, @girdley and others I certainly forgot) (the end)
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