Three (Not So) Simple Things

In the ever-evolving landscape of small business, a simple yet profound mantra echoes through the corridors of our endeavors:

The only three things you have to worry about in small business are yesterday, tomorrow, and today.

These timeless words serve as a beacon, guiding us through the complexities of entrepreneurship. As we dissect its essence, we uncover the trifecta of learning from the past, planning for the future, and executing in the present—each a critical pillar supporting the success of our small businesses.

Lessons Carved in History

Every small business journey is rich with stories of triumphs and setbacks. Yesterday holds the key to invaluable lessons, offering us a chance to reflect on what we've accomplished or where we've stumbled. It's about understanding that every failure is not a defeat but a learning opportunity, and every success, a building block for our future endeavors.

The only way we can equip ourselves with the wisdom to navigate the uncertainties of entrepreneurship is by analyzing our past actions, decisions, and outcomes. This takes time, dedication and a willingness to admit where we still have room to grow.

Your Canvas of Possibilities

You're going to learn something today that changes your outlook about tomorrow. Tomorrow will arrive and the thing you thought you had right just doesn't pan out.

But there's another tomorrow on the horizon. Again and again and then again and they just keep coming like a freight train with more momentum than you can imagine.

Looking ahead, tomorrow beckons with a canvas of possibilities. Armed with the insights from our yesterdays, we're tasked with crafting a vision for the future. This involves setting clear, achievable goals and outlining strategic plans to reach them while balancing those goals against what your community is asking of you.

This doesn't happen on it's own, either. You need to set time aside to bring this to reality. Carve out an hour a week, a day a month or a weekend a quarter to sit down and take the challenge of writing the next chapter seriously.

Anticipating challenges and adapting to change are crucial skills for any small business owner. However, it's not just about bracing for what's to come; it's about dreaming big and setting the stage for innovation and growth.

Stay Focused On The Moment

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of running a small business is staying grounded in the present while juggling the lessons of yesterday and the dreams of tomorrow.

Today is about execution; it's where planning meets action. Focusing on the now requires mindfulness, discipline, and a relentless drive to push forward, no matter the obstacles. Some things that can help each day?

• Prioritize mindfulness and the well-being of yourself and especially of your team to sharpen focus and improve culture
• Break goals into manageable tasks and tackle them in short cycles for quicker adaptation
• Invite your team into the dream so they can help to shape it

It's in the day-to-day operations, the customer interactions, and the meticulous attention to detail that we find the heartbeat of our business thriving.

Learn, Dream and Do

How have your past experiences shaped your vision for the future? And how do you maintain focus and drive in the whirlwind of daily operations?

In the realm of small business, we are all perpetual students and teachers, learning from each other and contributing to a collective pool of knowledge. By engaging in this dialogue, we not only enrich our understanding but also fortify the community that thrives on mutual support and shared wisdom.

If you've got a small business and have stories to share online or in person, I invite you to do so. After all, it's in the unity of yesterday, tomorrow, and today that we discover the essence of true entrepreneurial spirit.