{"id":9301,"date":"2023-10-03T03:52:36","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T03:52:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ownrblog-preprod.go-vip.net\/?p=9301"},"modified":"2023-12-07T13:03:46","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T13:03:46","slug":"how-to-be-your-own-business-mentor-in-times-of-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/how-to-be-your-own-business-mentor-in-times-of-need\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be Your Own Business Mentor in Times of Need"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you wish you had someone to talk to about business, you\u2019re not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The vast majority of small business owners who don\u2019t have mentors <\/span>wish they did<\/span><\/a>, too. These entrepreneurs want assistance to help them grow and get through rough times, and a mentor can be an extremely valuable resource in both situations. A good mentor can provide perspectives you never had before and hold space for you to think through challenges and goals logically<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, though, sometimes you simply don\u2019t have access to mentorship. If you\u2019re struggling with a business issue and don\u2019t have a mentor to turn to, the good news is that, in a pinch, you can be your own mentor. In this article, we provide a mini-guide to becoming your own business mentor in times of need. This framework is primarily about helping you identify the right next step. This may mean fixing a problem, making a decision, or consciously choosing to do nothing. We will walk you through how to reach the decision best for you and your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1: Name the issue<\/span><\/h2>\n

When you first feel anxiety, pain, concern, excitement, or trouble\u2026 name it. When you name something specifically, you start the process of figuring out the best way to move forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Questions to answer<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 <\/b>What is actually happening? <\/span><\/i>Describe the specific activities, circumstances, or actions going on in your business, related to this issue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 <\/b>What specifically are you feeling?<\/span><\/i> Are you angry? Frustrated? Feeling helpless? Attacked? Irritated? Betrayed? Confused? Something else?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 <\/b>What negative impact are you facing<\/span><\/i>? What do you stand to lose? Is this a money issue? A business survival issue? A moral issue? Something else?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 <\/b>What positive impact are you chasing<\/span><\/i>? What\u2019s your goal? More money? More time? Something else?<\/span><\/p>\n

This activity is all about objectively engaging with your problem It\u2019s hard to see clearly when we\u2019re caught up in our own emotions. While it\u2019s totally normal to feel these emotions, you have to step out of them in order to plan future next steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2: Identify what you need<\/span><\/h2>\n

Different issues need different approaches, actions, and solutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how you can figure out what you need to move forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Write down what\u2019s going on with the following script<\/b>: [THING] is happening, causing me to feel [EMOTION] because it could cause [NEGATIVE IMPACT].<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Identify what you\u2019re building toward <\/b>outside<\/i><\/b> of this problem<\/b>: Write down your main goals with your business. Growth? Livelihood for your family? Financial freedom? Something else?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Ask yourself (honestly) if this problem actually needs to be solved in order for you to continue reaching your goals<\/b>: If it doesn\u2019t, you can instead focus on adjusting your feelings versus making an effort to solve the problem. You always have the option of doing nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 If you need to solve the problem to continue reaching your goals, what needs to be protected?<\/b> Sometimes solving a problem can cause another. Identify what you need to keep protected in your business while you fix the primary issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Identify the value of solving the problem<\/b>: What do you get in the end? Do you save money? Make money? Have more free time? Peace of mind? Name it so you can assess the value against possible action paths.<\/span><\/p>\n

These questions are all about level-setting what problem you\u2019re actually trying to solve. This will help you better analyze future options.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 3: Analyze the paths in front of you<\/span><\/h2>\n

This is the step where you need to look at the emotions and the situation, and think about getting through it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually, you have three options in front of you:<\/span><\/p>\n