subject: How to Be a Good Monday Morning Quarterback [print this page] How to Be a Good Monday Morning Quarterback
Why did the coach make this call or why they ran that play? I do the same when I think about businesses. Why is it that some thrive during periods of economic decline, while others fail in the best of economic times? Of course there are always regional conditions, industry trends, and other factors that are principally out of the company's control, but the truth is that more often than not, success or failure is in the hands of the business owner or leader. Proof of that fact often comes in the form of hindsight. If you ask a business owner or leader who has had to shut down a business if there's anything he or she would have done differently, the honest answer is almost always yes. While learning from mistakes is extremely valuable, avoiding mistakes in the first place is always preferred. I have listed three common pitfalls to avoid and tips to create a winning game plan.
1. Weak Game Plan. Success requires a certain amount of forethought and preparation. Like the old adage: Fail to plan, plan to fail. Figure out your purpose, your goals, and how you plan to get from here to there, and then execute your plan with decisive action. Many people tend to limit themselves when thinking about what's possible for their business. You don't have to be #1 in the world, but it's ok to dream big when planning and building your business. In fact, it's not just ok, it's really important. Setting your goals too small can stifle your business, because you're likely to achieve what you plan for.
2. Lets Wait And See. Do you suffer from this bad habit? This can be a guaranteed game killer. Putting off what needs to be done in your business opens up the possibility for a competitor to take advantage, inconveniencing a customer, or taking time away from another more important business tasks. Some businesses plan and plan, and never actually pull the trigger, while others won't expand or call a new play for fear of failing. The thing is, if you're over cautious, you don't end up protecting, but hurting your chances for success. Evaluate your options, learn from your (and others) mistakes and take decisive action.
3. Conceding The Game. The difference between winning and losing often comes down to your determination to win. If you expect to succeed as a business owner or leader, then you've got to expect to run into difficult opponents, and you've got to know that whatever plays they throw at you, that both you and your team will do whatever it takes to push through. Talk with any successful business owner about his or her journey to success, and you'll hear countless accounts of adversity that they needed to overcome and setbacks they never saw coming. And many will point to those moments when they persevered as the defining moments that made all the difference. Don't accept that it's too hard or too much work. Dig deep; you have what it takes to win!
