How to Transform your Business Problems into Opportunities

“The market is changing, and not for the better,” Grant said, at the start of our coaching session. “We used to get a ton of leads from our website, and now we’re lucky if we get one a week.”

The business world is in the midst of a revolution – and lately I’ve been hearing a lot of anxiety from my clients. Samantha tells me her division is being absorbed by a larger one within her company. “I’ll probably have a new manager,” she worries. “I don’t know what my new role is going to be. What if I’m part of the workforce reduction?” Katherine recently sold her company and is no longer calling all the shots. “I need to learn the politics of this new workplace, and quickly,” she says. “If I don’t, I won’t make it through the first quarter.”

In each of these cases, an event occurred that was out of my clients’ control: a market change, a division restructuring, the sale of the company. When circumstances feel like they’re changing too quickly, it’s natural to want to put your head in the sand and hope it will all go away.

But as a business coach, I wouldn’t recommend it.

I’m sure you’ve heard the adage that it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond to it. So how do you transform all this upheaval into an opportunity? Here are five ways to make the shift from your initial reaction (“Oh no!”) toward a more productive response (“How can I turn this to my advantage?”).

Create a vision of the outcome you want. This is not the same as daydreaming – it’s more specific. Include as much detail as possible. Where are you when you achieve your goal? Who is with you? What’s the weather like? What shoes are you wearing? Make the scene come alive for you, so you can see it, feel it, know it.

Be open to success. I just finished listening to Wayne Dyer’s recording, The Power of Intention. One point he strongly emphasizes is receptivity. Are you playing old tapes (“Why me?” and “This always happens to me!”)? Replace negative self-talk with affirmations like “I can figure this out!” and “I have the resources to make this work.” Whether it’s attracting new business, finding the right role in your company, or building relationships, you need to believe that you can and will do it.

Be creative. Times like these demand new ways of looking at the same situations. Whether it’s brainstorming, walking in nature, or taking time out to play with your dog, it’s important to get away from your desk and give your unconscious brain space to work on the issue.

Take care of yourself. No matter if it feels like too many things are coming at you at once, keep on working out, playing the piano, painting pictures, or whatever it is that keeps you sane. Taking a break from the stress is a way to support yourself, and it will remind you that you can handle this.

Seek out support. Where is it written that you have to figure out everything all by yourself? Ask for guidance from your mentor, your coach, your friends and family. Make sure you nurture this network along the way, so when a difficult situation arises, they’ll be there for you.

This last bit of advice – to get support – can’t be emphasized enough. There’s no need to spend your precious time and energy reinventing the wheel, not when others have walked the path before you. Many people will gladly share their insights and experience if only you reach out to them. Not sure whom to ask? A business coach can be an invaluable resource. Contact me today and let’s discuss how I can help.