How to Be Extraordinary

"Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and then become more extraordinary because of it" - Robertson Davies 

​Have you ever thought about what it takes to become an Extraordinary business owner? Does it mean you become an overnight success? Or could it be because you choose to take advantage of adversity and use crisis to your advantage?

The Chinese characters for CRISIS include two word, "Danger" and "Opportunity." Both are equally present during a crisis. The results you get are determined by where you choose to put your focus. 

Owning an extraordinary business, even during a crisis, is possible. In order to turn danger into opportunity, we need to continue to display a strong work ethic (even when the possible seems impossible), have a clear vision of the future business we want to create, and learn strategies to take advantage of adversity. A shift in focus is the starting point. 

How can we take advantage of adversity in order to rise above and become Extraordinary entrepreneurs and business owners? Here is what I know about adversity: 

• Adversity causes us to stop and look at our situation...and at ourselves if we have courage. Use adversity as an opportunity for self-discovery. Avoid the instinct to build walls, close your eyes or run away. Samuel Lover said, "Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; but they are the instruments of the wise." Use adversity as an instrument find new opportunities and new self awareness.

• Adversity comes to us as a teaching tool. We can "turn our wounds into wisdom" only if we want to learn from them. It requires the right mindset and a deliberate intention to find the lesson in the loss. If we don't embrace those things we end up with scars.

• Entrepreneurs know that adversity is often the door to opportunity. Business history is filled with examples of products and services that were launched during difficult times.

• The life of a successful business owner is filled with one transition after another. Time is always moving forward. We need to change with the times and adversity is often the catalyst.

• As a business owners expect to experience pain when you face adversity. Plan for it. By planning for adversity you set yourself up to benefit from it. Expect the road to be painful and create a strategy for dealing with it when adversity arises. 

• Adversity can either be a stepping stone or a tombstone. The difference is in the way you approach it and how you choose to see it. Do you best to see adversity as something that can help you become an even better business owner than you were before. Use adversity to write your story. Everyone has the chance to be the hero in a potentially great story. Choose greatness!

Your Friend on the Journey,
Donna

PS - This article is part of this week's IBGR Newsletter. If you found it valuable, make sure to join Community of Commerce to get on our newsletter list. Newsletters are sent every Monday with even more great and relevant information to help you start, grow and exit your business.