“Getting Back in the Game” – Five Insights to Get You Through the Workweek

By Bill Mulholland, an Octane blog contributor and owner of American Relocation Connections (ARC)

We’ve all had that week at the office when everything seems to go wrong; we didn’t make the big sale, our optimism is fading, and we can’t seem to please any of our clients or peers. It’s beyond discouraging – and as business owners, we usually don’t have the luxury of shirking our responsibilities to take a much-needed break.

I know during these times that I need to be resilient, as cliché as that may sound – and others continue to echo that same message. Nick Saban, famed football Hall of Fame coach, found this theme to be true for successful sports teams:

“One things about championship teams is that they’re resilient. No matter what is thrown at them, no matter how deep the hole, they find a way to bounce back and overcome adversity.”

Put another way: don’t throw in the towel. Quotations like this are a short, powerful reminder that I’m not the only one who’s been in situations like these. And often, it’s just the jolt I need to get my second wind and move forward.

I found a few insights and encouragements from five leaders in their own right. Maybe one stick with you and provide the refresher you need to finish the workweek.

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

We’re all human, and no one is perfect. I try not to be too hard on myself or my employees for making a mistake or not reaching a goal. I know we’ll have plenty of chances to redeem yourself and continue to improve.

“Listen to advice, but follow your heart.” – Conway Twitty

Twitty makes a good point. Looking to others for advice when there’s a crisis on your hands can provide a valuable outside opinion. I’m often amazed at what I can learn from my peers and how willing they are to help. Ultimately, though, we as business owners know what’s best for our companies and will do whatever it takes to make things happen.

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” – Lyndon B. Johnson

If I study the careers of successful entrepreneurs, I notice one thing they have in common: all of them have made mistakes and strove to improve on their past failures. Especially in business, I try not to focus on how things might have been better if I had just made a different choice. Instead, I’ll reflect on past failures and do my best to improve in the future.

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be.” – Groucho Marx

It is easy for us to get down on ourselves when we’re in a slump. Have you ever listened to an athlete in a post- game press conference after a loss? They speak to the media like the world is about to end. I think it’s important to stay positive during times of adversity. Reflect on of all the great things you have in your life and how this setback will be a minor blip on your radar.

“Say and do something positive that will help the situation; it doesn’t take any brains to complain.” – Robert Andrew Cook

Responding proactively to a bad situation helps us all continue to grow in our industries. From experience, I find putting pen to paper is always a good way to get my ideas organized so I can formulate a plan of action. If I’m unable to close a major sale that was supposed to be a sure-thing, I write down exactly what went wrong during the closing process. Sometimes, I even come to the realization that everything was out of my company’s control.

So, when you have a rough day, week or even month, just remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. When we learn from our mistakes and forge ahead, we become better, stronger people in the long run.

Bill Mulholland, CRP, GMS has been in the relocation industry for 15 years and is the owner of American Relocation Connections (ARC), a global third party Relocation Company. Mr. Mulholland and American Relocation Connections contributed content to this article.