"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." ~Harry Truman. Before opening the Redwood Sisterhood, I was in a job that I didn't enjoy. I was not challenged and wasn't really using my gifts and talents to my satisfaction. But, that job was a gift to me in so many ways. It gave me the opportunity to really take stock in my dreams. So, I left that job and opened the Redwood Sisterhood.
It hasn't been easy to have a new business in this economy. But, even the challenges and the many learning curves of a new venture have been opportunities. Technical glitches that felt devastating in the moment, were actually opportunities to fine tune the process and improve the customers' experience. I believe that if things are too easy, there is a danger in slipping into mediocrity. Every obstacle is an opportunity to learn something and improve.
If you want to be a good dream partner for someone else and want to attract dream partners for yourself, put on the lens of opportunity. When a partner comes along and is devastated by a problem or challenge, be the one who helps them see the silver lining. Pull them out of the negative place so that they can begin to climb out into the light of opportunity. Hopefully, you will be modeling that behavior for them too, so that when you are in a dark place, they can do the same for you. In every tough situation, pause and ask; What can I learn here? How can this challenge lead me to an opportunity?
Hi Patty - congratulations on finding a solution that works for you and for making a potential troubling situation an opportunity for success.
ReplyDeleteA business partner and I are working on a scientific collaboration site and I'm curious about your experience with business partnerships. We've started off well but everyone suggests that partnerships don't work.
Your blog speaks of partnerships but it's not clear if they're formal/legal partnerships or informal support networks.
Ed,
ReplyDeleteThe partnerships that I refer to in this blog are of the support nature, however, I have been an organization development consultant for 28 years and about 9 years of experience in nonprofit world around more formal collaborations and partnerships. Partnerships do work when you ride through the normal stages of development and honor the transitional needs that each partner will present. I would be very happy to have a conversation with you about the kinds of things to expect and what to do when they happen. You can't stop a person from going through the toddler and teenage stages of life and your partnership will have it's stage related challenges too. But, as long as you are prepared and handle them well, your business can grow up to be a healthy one, just like a person that matures past the teenage stage of life. If you want to talk more, call me at 877-733-7471.