Dr. Suess and Small Business Success
“Today you are you, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is youer than you.”
~ Dr. Suess
What can Dr. Suess teach us about small business success? That it is your being “youer than you” that can be a key differentiator in your success and how long it takes. In other words, that only you can launch and grow a small business in your own unique way, which will be different from the way anyone else does it. Anyone.
Having worked with thousands of small business owners through the launch and growth process, I have seen this concept in action many times. How might that play out? Let’s take a look.
Your “Youer Than You” Attitude
Small business owners need a positive attitude to weather the ups and downs. Here are some of my favorite attitude quotes:
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Milton Berle
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford
“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” Albert Camus
I believe they are all true. It is your positive attitude that helps you see beyond your problems and discover your path forward. If you believe there are only roadblocks and brick walls in front of you, well, there are only roadblocks and brick walls in front of you. However, if you believe you can find a way around that roadblock or over that brick wall, you begin to see solutions and not just insurmountable problems. You see your personal invincible summer in the depth of winter. What is your “youer than you” attitude? Is it more positive than negative?
Your “Youer Than You” Perseverance
Launching and growing a small business is not easy. Perseverance is a requirement. You reach out to ten prospects and get ten No’s. What do you do? If you really believe in your product or service, you reach out to the 11th and keep going until you get your Yes!
As an example, years ago I was trying to schedule a speaker for a workshop. I knew I was asking a lot, and I did not have a lot to offer the speaker in return except the ability to give back to the community and maybe pick up a client – but honestly, picking up a client was not a given. My workshop date was getting closer, I had people registered, and I was missing a major speaker. I got on the phone and began calling. I was literally turned down by 10 people. The 11th person said yes, she would speak. I have never forgotten the awful feeling I was experiencing as I placed my 11th call, or my feeling of elation when she said, Yes! Perseverance in action. That experience forever changed my outlook on perseverance and how I feel as I continue to pursue a goal that seems impossible. I can now shake off the negativity as I move forward and achieve my goals. Make perseverance a cornerstone of your business practices. Do you have hour “youer than you” perseverance?
Your “Youer Than You” Action
Results require action. Endlessly thinking about your “someday” business in your mind may make you feel good, but it will not make it happen. Educate yourself, create your business blueprint, work with professionals to help you launch and grow your business. Results require action. What is your “youer than you” action plan?
Priority
Launching and growing a successful business needs to be a priority in your life. And by the way, “success” is defined by you and it is different for every business. Devoting time and resources to launch and grow a successful business needs to be alignment with your values, purpose, wants and deep desires. If you are not clear about this, stop. Get clear or, honestly, bag it for now. Without making it a priority, you may luck into success, but you probably will not. That’s okay. Just don’t waste your time or your potential clients’ dollars.
Getting Help and Support
There are many resources to help you launch and grow your business, from “family and friends” to books to professionals who specialize in supporting small business owners. Don’t do this alone. Get help and support.
Conclusion
People launch businesses every day, and many of them grow into the businesses the owners dreamed of and planned for. Many do not. The divide is often littered with business owners who did not pay attention to their attitude, perseverance, actions and priorities, and who did not get help and support along the way.
You are “youer than you” and you are the biggest factor in the success of your business. None of the items I have written about here are insurmountable. However, they all require you to make choices and to act. I wish you well on your small business journey and in making choices that best serve you!
If you have questions about small business startup and growth services, including Small Business Blueprint classes, 1-1 coaching or Startup and Growth Mastermind Groups, please contact me at [email protected]. Ask for a free consultation and let’s see how I can help you with your challenges.
About the Author
Robin Suomi, MBA, Founder of Startup to Growth, has worked with thousands of small business owners to start and grow their businesses through 1-1 coaching, mastermind groups, membership programs, and professional development training workshops and classes. Her passion is to help her clients become better…whatever that looks like in their lives. Check out Startup to Growth for information on Small Business Blueprint classes, Startup Masterminds and Growth Masterminds. Or email [email protected] with your questions.