Never give up - July monthly ramble

Some may say there are times when you should give up. But what does that really mean?  Giving up may just be a form of changing direction or pivoting. Is it just semantics? But I think not giving up is about trying your hardest so you have no regrets. I have no regrets.

I am currently coaching some business owners and there are many conversations about giving up or pivoting due to the economic recession we are currently in. I think back to the covid times for my current business, if we did not pivot by keeping our sewers busy with making masks we would not have thrived. We thrived over that period due to pivoting quickly. I recall at the time there was no way I was going to let all my hard work go to waste. I was in control of whether to give up or not. I do look back now and believe it was really down to my mindset.

I also recall when we first went into a recession I needed to pivot quickly and paid off an enormous amount of debt due to finding new sales channels, moving old stock, cutting costs to name a few things. It was also at a time when my personal life was taking a dive. But again it was a mind set along with getting fit and healthy as I needed to ensure my base line held me together. As well as seeking out people to help me and reading books like they were delicious lollies. I also wanted to ensure I kept my mind and heart open to new opportunities. And I do wonder when you are at your most vulnerable some of the best opportunities in the world present themselves.

Over those times when you are ready to give up, we can make emotional mistakes. One of mine was that I took my business to the market to try and sell it as I thought this would help my personal life. I met a number of buyers and one was our biggest competitor. Unfortunately being so naïve at that time I gave away far too much information and subsequently that competitor has taken to market a number of our R&D lines. So I will be much more careful if I ever want to sell again. Why did I take it off the market in the end, well, that is for another day.

I think times when you question whether you want to continue are times to knuckle down and do the hard graft. It is time to think creatively, think outside the box and YES ‘never give up’. It is a way of respecting oneself.

I have had people give up on me over my life. Well in fact one key person and it was completely devastating. But I knew that I would not give up as I am a silly optimist!! I truly believe there is always a way, you just need to find a different path. But this is only if you are true to your purpose. I have a close friend of mine that use to be a monk and he lives by purpose rather than values or identity. I do think all those concepts are tied up but if you know your greater purpose it allows you to get through all aspects of life. Yes there is more to unpack here but that is for later.

Lets be real, life is not always easy. Although I dispute the idea that life is hard or we are here to suffer. Quite frankly I find that insulting as it is not being grateful for life. I know many religious ideals are about suffering but really!?

So I think even if others give up on you, all that really matters, is if you don’t give up. So to all those retailers who are struggling out there don’t give up; pivot, try new things and then you might go down a different path. But that is not giving up, that is seizing a new exciting opportunity. For all those people who have had people give up on them, that is their issue not yours, you were the one that did not give up. That is what is important. That is self respect. Don’t give up. I like the saying. I am keeping it in my box of sayings.

Another little pivot we did recently was our rebrand in June. We love it and it was definitely the right thing to do. I have to admit it took me three years to get there with a number of business coaches pushing me along. Due to the rebrand we also launched a number of cleaning lines and we would love you to try them. Insert FREEBTABLETS to get a free tablet of your choosing ie glass, bathroom or kitchen cleaner when you buy our spray bottle. BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE (thanks Ron Popeil of Veg-o-matic)….when you write a review on our website we will give you even more tablets.

Till next time.
Anna
www.nilproducts.com
nil waste nil harm