Let Go. Then Reach Out for Opportunities

During this time of the year, we all look back at the past while also looking forward. We realize that there are things we could have done better and things that went much better than expected. That’s the nature of life. It’s also natural to hang on to the old in an ever-changing world.

As business owners, we try to control every detail of our business while trying to grow. We tend to hang on to the old ways of doing things because they are familiar. We may hang on to the idea that our employees need micromanagement to be successful. We may hang onto daily control of the farm instead of allowing the next generation in via a transition plan. We may hang on to the idea our children are still under our control when in fact they are raising their own family. We may hang on to an employee that doesn’t fit the culture and doesn’t fit in with the rest of the team. Finally we may hang on to past insults and wrongs from others.

—————–

Turns out that hanging on to the old makes it harder to reach out and seize that next opportunity.

It reminds me about the things we learn raising children. When my daughter was young she needed me to survive. Just like your business, she needed your constant attention to survive in the early years.

Now that she is a teenager she doesn’t need me for survival; she has her core life skills and now needs more coaching and less parenting. She needs me to step back and let go. It is only by letting go that she will be able to fully mature and find her own rhythm in life. It’s not easy letting my little girl go, but it’s for the best.

Just like raising children, your businesses will be even more successful when you let go. Let go and delegate to the right people and it will free up your time. Let go of the problem employee and the rest of your team will appreciate it. Let go of the idea you need to make every decision in order to maintain your standing. This will allow the next generation to flourish and mature. Finally, let go and forgive even when you aren’t asked for forgiveness. You will be the better person for it.

Take a good look in the mirror.

Are you dragging things forward into the new year that should be left behind? Letting go is often the only way to reach out and grasp the next opportunity and phase in life.