Tax Strategies & Preparation Articles

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. - Peter Marshall

There are two ways of meeting difficulties: You alter the difficulties or you alter yourself to meet them. - Phyllis Bottome

The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, and light will dawn, and shine with increasing clearness on your path. - Jim Rohn

Everyone encounters personal difficulties at one point or another in their lives: the death of a loved one, sickness, divorce, or some other unthinkable tragedy. And if you’re not careful, your business can become an unexpected causality in the wake of personal crisis. We recognize that the last thing you want to deal with at this time is a failed business or a lost revenue stream. And while we know it’s easier said than done, you must focus some of your energy and attention on maintaining your business amidst personal struggle. Here are 5 tips that should help:

1. Be positive.
Easier said than done, right? While it’s important to grieve when you need to grieve, you shouldn’t become too entrenched in sadness and negative thinking because that will get you into an emotional hole that you may not be able to dig yourself out of for awhile. Avoid saying, “This is too much for me to handle.” Instead say, “I will get through this, even if I need to ask for help.”

2. Define the problem.
What, exactly, is the crisis? This may seem silly, but it helps to define the problem so you know what you can do about it. An example of this may read as follows: my mother is terminally ill and I want to be there for her as much as possible. In defining the problem you realize not only what it is, but how you expect it to impact your life.

3. Make a list of things you can do about the problem.
There are things you can do and things you can’t do. For example, in the abovementioned crisis, while you may want to take the terminal illness from your mother, that’s an impossible task for you to accomplish. However, there are some things you can do, and that’s all you have control over. Determine what you can do and then determine which of those things you will do. When you acknowledge those things, you’ve trimmed the crisis into something more manageable for yourself.

4. Take care of yourself.
In the midst of a crisis it becomes easy to forget about taking care of yourself. Ensure that you get enough rest, manage the stress and anxiety, and visit a professional when appropriate.

5. Revise your schedule and workload.
You can’t pretend like a personal crisis won’t impact your life in some significant ways. Ignoring the problem will often wreck more havoc on your business than working around it. Be realistic and alter your schedule and workload accordingly. This will lessen much of the stress and anxiety and better enable you to focus on business when you’re best able.

Personal crisis is inevitable. Unfortunately, it’s often what makes us stronger and wiser. And unless you acknowledge the crisis and deal with it in a healthy way, you and your business will suffer. Take the time to work through your difficulties and make a plan that will minimize the impact they will have on your business.

References
Lloyd-Martin, Heather. “Home-Biz Battle Stations.” 15 November 2006. AOL Small Business.