Want to learn more about emotional resilience?

Any journey in life, be it retail, service business or a more e-commerce one - needs to build, experience and develop resilience. How we start out with clear values and intentions varies - and, allowing yourself time to build the idea is crucial. Setting out a clear direction of travel, values and business plan helps distil what your ideas are.

In business, it’s a rather brutal world of clever products sold at you, shiny options or marketing solutions you aspire to believe - and you are alone as a business owner without a good support system around you. If you are not careful, this can create destructive outcomes when the economy or market around you plummets.

Ensuring we set clarity ensures some resilience to the turbulence of trying in business. Pushing and focusing us on the issues of care and concern that are central to success - listening to others, serving our clients and not pushing too hard, too fast.

Here are my top 10 lessons

1) Understand that the pursuit of money (and the freedom that it allows us) - also comes with a “ying yang” opposite effect. It’s the driving force to our passion in business - but we must try our best to share it. To set clear limitations. Climbing too hard in a world where competition and under-handed behaviour is very common - must be factored into your business plan. Team up with others who have done things before and target each skillset with research and planning.

It is OK to stay small for a few years. To be clear about your principles and pricing.

Turnover is only the first step - gross profit and net profit matter most. Don’t buy into debt without clear and concise reasons.

2) Focus on the initial stage and focus on research - to get to know people on a low impact level. Don’t expect hard selling or approaches to work - they seldom do.

3) Try not to listen to massively overly powerful marketing agencies, too much. Don’t ask for personal service if you can tell they are stupidly busy - otherwise they cannot help but let you down. Be cautious about this - and the spend you setup for any advertising. Keep control of it yourself as long as possible - using sensible tools and genuine support.

4) Set a client avatar up - try and picture who your client would be in terms of likes, dislikes and what sort of job that they do.

5) Ensure you read more. Step away more. Focus on your health - and your teams.

6) Pick up the phone to the HMRC or business support services via the government. They are truly the best places to discuss.

7) Listen to those closest to you if things are going through turbulent times. The only ones who truly understand and see mental health are those closest to you.

8) Work on your communication with clients - ensure you don’t misunderstand how vital they are. No matter how tricky - it’s your life blood.

9) Stay humble and keep doing free stuff to spread the word. Although online is vital - networking is too.

10) Design a business with clients in mind - but don’t be afraid to set clear boundaries or even days off. You are human. Be kind to yourself and others.