The Next Challenge

By: Chris Pace

The past few weeks have been an interesting emotional “roller coaster” ride that has spanned the expectation gambit from incredibly low to extremely high. I have talked with people across the country in many varied job types and while the conversations are vastly different in content, the general theme is always the same… How do we overcome the next challenge ahead?

While this is not a novel dilemma for any business, the challenge to adapt and persevere has never been more critical. Often, when an obstacle confronts us, we tend to engage in a strong tactical response mode. While this may be handy at times, a tactical approach in all situations can lead to fatigue, uninformed decision-making, and almost always a stoppage of adaptation. We lose focus on our original vision and abandon our original mission and purpose. More plainly, when we act only to survive, we cannot grow beyond our current limits and this inhibiting of growth, of course, threatens our long-term progress and sustainability.

So, what is the key to effectively navigating this delicate process? Well, here is a short video that addresses exactly that:

What I enjoy about this video – and the classic Stoic Disciplines it discusses – is the simplicity it takes to hold steady through the storm and the gentle embrace of ‘the suck’ as it has been described in modern day. So, let’s examine those Disciplines as they apply to your business:

Discipline #1 – PERCEPTION “How you look at the obstacles you face”

Perception is a controllable variable. You may not think so, but it is. While it may be tough at times to shift from our instinctive reaction to crisis and see the opportunity, that shift in perception is something you can start to master. First, you must always (as Rockefeller puts it) “embrace the apprenticeship in difficulty.” When chaos arises, look first to learn and then to capitalize on the opportunity that the new environment has created. By shifting our perception of the crisis to opportunity, we’re able to minimize “the flinch” or paralysis that typically accompanies a seemingly negative turn of events and instead pivot our approach to optimize the reaction and steam ahead towards success… albeit along a new path or strategy.

Discipline #2 – ACTION “What you do to overcome the obstacle”

Action is best described as the stimulation of creativity and industry. How we organize our thoughts (based on perception) and institute our tactics are the keys to creating successive action to help us overcome an obstacle. These are the “rubber hits the road” moments where we put our collective heads down and execute the necessary elements, one-after-another, never ceasing until the obstacle is vanquished. For most of us, these are the “move the needle” elements of our business where we make more calls, close more deals, strengthen relationships, follow up on business matters, and of course… repeat over and over again. While some may call this “the grind,” it is better described as the journey and it is exactly this process that colors our story. When the environment calms and we can step back from that journey and survey our progress, it’s the outcome of our ACTIONS that get us through the tough times.

Discipline #3 – WILL “We don’t control what happens, only how we respond”

The world “WILL” always brings about complications and complexities. That is simply the way life occurs. Once we resolve that the only consistency in life is inconsistency, we can then steady our sights on how we respond to those inconsistencies and push forward. Often, we are not the most capable, the smartest, or the most creative…. But we can be the most WILLING. By this, I mean that we can choose to get up again, give it another try, and experiment with another solution. When we refuse to settle and instead forge ahead to fight another day, we give ourselves a 100% chance to succeed again.

Today’s Discipline

While none of these disciplines are easy, they are simple: See the opportunity, impose the action, and as Winston Churchill said, “Never, ever give up!” These times are difficult, complex, and complicated and we are all navigating a unique and intricate path. If we stick to these simple ideals, I find it hard to believe that we cannot prevail

Discipline is the watchword in any business. As business begins to restart from the recent events discipline will become more and more important. Establish company expectations early and encourage everyone to practice self-discipline It is the one thing that will ensure safety for employers, employees, and customers alike. 

Bonus Review of the same material:

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rQfr7XAQi0

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