Whether you have just started your home business, or have been at it for a few years—you no doubt know by now that the one sure thing you can count on is change. While you can plan for some of the more predictable changes, some catch us by surprise. Still, with a little planning, we can get through times of transition with some ease and smoothness…
There really aren’t any “tricks” for getting through changes and transitions without incidence—part of it has to do with attitude (are you accepting the impending change or fighting it every step of the way?) and part of it has to do with paying attention to all the details to make sure that a transition is accomplished without letting anything fall through the cracks. Whether you are dealing with a change in your product line, the loss of an important client or customer, a pending move, or a natural disaster—the steps for coping and maneuvering through transition are basically the same.
Start by assessing the situation and taking a good, hard look at where you need to get to—not where you’ve been or where your business is in the present. This will help you to make a list of all the steps necessary to get you where you need to be. Eliminate anything that you don’t absolutely have to pay attention to, get help and delegate the pieces that you can, and stay focused. Distraction and avoidance are generally the main bumps in the road when a transition is immanent.
Finally, try to keep very reasonable expectations of yourself. A seamless transition does not necessarily mean one that is fun, perfect, and jolly. Expect that times of transition in your business will take focus and energy and may have some bumps and insecure times. But, by making a reasonable and do-able plan, and not letting yourself get derailed, you should be able to become quite adept at handling change and transition—whether it is expected or not.
See Also: Coping With a Loss or Drop in Income