When Things Go Wrong

When Things Go Wrong….

Elvis Presley once said, “When things go wrong, don’t go with them.”

That may be easier said than done when your life savings is invested in a franchise, and it just is not working out, but it is great advice nonetheless!

What do you do when you find yourself operating a business that is not thriving?

My answer will really depend on when you reach out to ask for help. If you are just running into struggle, I and others may have more opportunity to help you then if you reach out months into your struggle.

First things first, you have to understand how you are doing relative to others.

Is your struggle real or perceived??

Sometimes business can feel off, but when you talk to other franchisees who started at the same time as you, you realize you are on track. It is your expectations that were off. If you are behind those who started at the same time as you, this is not the end of the world. This is a starting place! Let their success inspire you not deflate you. How you see where you are will determine what you are willing to do next, and what you are willing to do next will determine your future.

Success in business is created the same way success in anything is created in our mindset! What you are saying to yourself and others about your business is critically important. We really do create our reality with the words we speak, so the first and more important thing you should do is stop talking against yourself. Second, find other franchisees who have what you want. Ask them to mentor you. Often when I talk to owners who are struggling, I am saddened by their victimhood mentality, or their defeated tone. I know it is hard to be in a tough financial position, but there is ALWAYS a way out if you are willing to ask and do the work especially if you are part of a thriving franchise organization.?

Struggling is an important part to success.

How can you ever really know why you are successful if at first you were not? But, when you are losing money, I know tensions can run high very easily and quickly, thus it is imperative that you reach out for help as soon as you feel like there is a problem. If the franchisor does not satisfy you, find franchisees. Successful franchisees will want to help. But here is the key! You have to do what they encourage you to do, and do it with a positive attitude. Arguing for your limitations will only keep you where you are. Not following what is working for others will also not serve you.

When I went from an average performing franchisee to a history making franchisee, I did it by focusing on one thing. That one thing was the one thing that I could control. What can any struggling franchisee control: lead flow, customer acquisition, finding customers. Whatever you call it, it is the most important thing to get control of. The day you own your lead flow is the day you really own your business and your future. How do you do it? Well, you build your “Daly Plan”. With a clear, simple daily goal, you get busy. At first, you may have no idea how to achieve your simple goal, but with focus and consistency, you will get good. If you let yourself off the hook, then you cannot say you gave it your all. What does it cost to hold yourself accountable? It costs you nothing, but it builds character, integrity, discipline, and determination, and with time, joy and passion! When you can turn up your lead flow whenever you need or want, then you have a business that you will love. It is then that you will have the time of your life and be living the life of your dreams as a business owner.

Will it be easy? No. But will it be worth it? You better believe it! Don’t make excuses. Don’t talk about why it will not work. Just do it! Put your head down and go door to door if you have to.

One day, you will look back at these days as the greatest days of business ownership.

We always want to stand on the mountain top of success, but in reality, the mountain top is not what makes us happy.

It is the journey, and oftentimes, even the struggle in the journey on the way to that mountain top that really makes our hearts soar!

If you are struggling in your business, do not wait to reach out. You are in business FOR yourself but not BY yourself. There are people who want to help you including The Daly Coach!