The title for this blog could apply to your home business as a whole entity, or it could apply to individual customer or client relationships, certain projects, or other specific elements of your business that are giving you fits. Before abandoning a person, project or thing, it is a good idea to make sure that you have done everything you can to make it work…
A colleague recently reminded me of this valuable little truth when I was talking about a particular work situation. I shared that I didn’t really know what the lesson was or whether or not I was supposed to continue trying to fix it, or just give up and walk away. She said that she believed that a person has to do everything they can; examine their own motivations, efforts, etc. and make a whole-hearted effort; then if things are still problematic, it might be time to walk away. But she reminded me that walking away or giving up should not be the first choice. She even suggested that a person might need to take a break to gain renewed energy or perspective, but that until we’ve exhausted all our ideas and efforts, giving up should not be considered the “lesson.”
Sometimes it can be tough to remember this—especially if we are feeling over-stressed or overwhelmed; we think we just don’t have time to keep working on a problem person or situation. That might be true, but we really do need to leave no stone unturned before we decide to give up. When it comes to our home businesses, things can get a little rugged sometimes, but until we’ve tried everything we can think of and really worked hard to make things work, abandonment should be our last and final choice (not the first, second, or third!)
Also: Are There Things You Haven’t Tried Yet?
Are You Making Decisions in Desperation?