A few of my coaching clients who are entrepreneurs across industries have been reaching out to me as they continue to feel insecure and uncertain about the looming recession in 2023. They continue to deliberate if they should quit or continue to reinvent and rebuild. I guess there are many of you going through the same emotional rollercoaster of what’s next and how to come back. My advice has been: “reinvent, rebuild, and make a comeback,” as that’s precisely what I am doing in my own business. It’s never too late.
Legendary tennis player, Andre Agassi, went from being #1 in the world in 1995 to #141 in rankings by the beginning of 1998. When he hit bottom, he also got into drugs, fell into a depressive state, and faced personal relationship challenges. That’s when his coach asked him this question: do you want to quit or rebuild? He chose to reinvent, rebuild, and make a comeback. The journey was slow, painful, and full of challenges. He went back to basics and started playing with local and low-ranking players to win again, as every win made him feel accomplished and encouraged him to play more and more tournaments. By the fall of 1999, he was back as #1
I have paraphrased some of his key messages from interviews, adding from my own experiences as an entrepreneur, that I believe are very pertinent for everyone as we swim against many tides that seem to continue to challenge us.
Go back to the Basics: When you are in crisis, step back to the basics and think of all the highs and successes you had before the crisis. That will encourage you to move forward. Research shows that positive thoughts have a massive impact on future outcomes.
Plan and Goal Setting: Plan your work and work your plan every day. Set tangible daily goals and make sure you accomplish them–take it one day at a time. Please reach out to me if you need help here with goal setting
You are the Barometer: Compare yourself from the past and the present and focus on the future. Don’t get distracted by what you see around you, as that can slow you down. If you play #golf, you know what this means.
#Resilience: Yes, every day brings new struggles that are not in our control but what’s in our possession is how we choose to engage with them. So, have a positive mindset and engage with courage and clarity.
Look Ahead: Focus on what is ahead of you rather than what’s behind you. “Rear View” is essential to analyze but looking forward is the need of the hour in the current environment.
One of my favorite phrases is, “Action brings Clarity,” so keep moving ahead, and things will fall in place. In his book, “Think and Grow Rich”, Napoleon Hill says, “Have a DEFINITE-NESS OF PURPOSE which is the knowledge of what one wants and a burning DESIRE to possess it.
