Acceptance is Where You Start

Despite being hard-working, dedicated and resilient, a lot of entrepreneurs are also resistant.?

The moment something bad happens, that we feel is out of our control, we’re primed to feel like this has happened TO us, rather than FOR us.

Let me explain with an example -

We all know how volatile Facebook ads can be. And Zuckerberg’s drones and algorithms seem to act in the most random ways when it comes to what is (or isn’t) allowed. You can have an ad that’s going gangbusters one day, that seems safe, compliant and effective, only to have it shut down for violating FB’s terms the next.

The obvious reaction here is to think - “Why is this happening to me?”

When instead, you should be asking - “Why is this happening FOR me?”

Reframing Negatives as Opportunities

Being able to reframe a negative as an opportunity for growth is a highly valuable skill. In fact, I’d argue this is more beneficial than being good at sales, or a naturally proficient copywriter, or even a great coach.

Why? Because negative things WILL happen in your business … A lot.

And so by being able to turn that around from you feeling all bent out of shape, and wondering why the universe is conspiring against you, to acknowledging what’s happened, and then asking - “What’s the opportunity here?” - you set yourself apart as someone who’s destined for wealth and success.

Thinking about our Facebook ad example for a minute, while it’s true that it’d suck to have a working ad taken down, how could you frame this into an opportunity?

Well, it could be an opportunity to go and test out a new platform. Maybe you’ve been tinkering with TikTok, or dabbling in YouTube, but haven’t pulled the trigger. A Facebook ad shutdown presents a perfect opportunity to explore a new platform you wouldn’t have done otherwise.

Or maybe you just write some new ad copy, with a different angle, and it works even better than before.

Or you do a deep dive into email marketing, build new bonds with your list, and get sales that way.

There are LOTS of ways this ‘setback’ can benefit you. But it’s up to you whether you see it as something happening to you, or something happening for you.

You Can Accept the “Bad” Stuff, Too

“But Russ, surely I can’t reframe everything?” I hear you ask.

“Aren’t there things that genuinely suck, that don’t really present any opportunity at all?”

My answer - Probably!

I always reframe as much as possible, and try to look for the good in the bad. But at the same time, I’m a realist, and there will be things in business that pose big challenges.

That said, it still comes down to whether you’re accepting, or resistant.

If you’re resistant, you end up burying your head in the sand. Over time, that problem then magnifies, gets a whole lot worse, and turns from an inconvenience into something that takes serious legwork to fix.?

Whereas if you’re accepting, problems are a whole lot easier to deal with.

Simply by acknowledging that setbacks are part of your business journey is huge. This gives you perspective, and allows you to be grateful for how far you’ve come already, while also giving yourself permission to look into the future, and plan for greater things ahead.?

You Can’t Start From a Place of Resistance

Whatever stage of business you’re at, having resistance as your default setting is never going to serve you.

Not only does this mean you’ll have a harder time getting around obstacles, but you’ll approach your business with much more of a scarcity mindset, and a whole lot of stress

So no matter what happens, good or bad, major or minor, learn to accept the situation, sit with it, and then work out how you’re going to move ahead.