Are You Chasing Rainbows?
That sounds like an odd topic for the title of a blog posting here I suppose doesn’t it? What does it all mean? Anyone running their own business is always (or should always be) looking for ways to improve the way they do business or how much profit they can make from their business overall. Refining your business is healthy. Looking at new ideas is healthy.
There’s a limit however and you’ve reached that limit when you start chasing rainbows. This simply means that when you become so distracted from your own business and your own ideas by the thoughts, ideas and proposals of others that you’re no longer focusing on your business needs then it’s time to stop. Physically and mentally stop and look at what you’re doing. Are you really benefiting from that book you’re reading? Is that teleseminar of any actual value or is it just another pitch fest for something you don’t need? Is that business breakfast of any actual value or are you just going there to be seen?
Have you ever fallen into this trap? I know I certainly have. We all do to a certain extent and that’s ok. We need to be honest with ourselves too and accept that we’ve given up our time to the act of chasing rainbows and not do it again or at the very least minimize how much time we spend doing this.
I recently fell into this trap. I love learning new things and I love seeing what other people are doing with their businesses. If I can learn something new each day then I’m a happy man. I slipped up however. I put some of my own work on hold based on some ideas I was waiting to learn from an online training session. The training itself was deeply disappointing and the guy fell far, far, far short of what I was expecting to learn from him. The end result is that I effectively wasted 5 days of my own time chasing this rainbow (or at least waiting for it to arrive). Oh yes I’m annoyed with myself but I’ve forgiven myself this slip and it’s also allowed me to focus back in on my business.
There are very few “secrets” to be learned in business anymore. 99% of the important lessons have been taught and been learned. Be brilliant at the basics of your business and the rest will follow. There’s nothing at the end of that rainbow folks except perhaps frustration.
Hope you’re having a great day!
Niall