This year Pete learned he sucks at the board game Sorry! It was a byproduct of being stuck at home with his family for weeks on end. We all know the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic was awful, but Nat and Pete enjoyed the time they got to spend time with their families. They turned lemons into lemonade.
They had the concept of "Good!" As business owners and entrepreneurs, they know you need to overcome adversity in all forms. You never know what is going to happen next. You have to take responsibility and make things work.
They have always had this attitude, but it was highlighted by a video they watched from the Jocko podcast.
Personal Responsibility as a Business Owner
Personal responsibility is often missing as business owners look for causes of their downfall. It is easy to blame outside forces, employers, or others for failing or setbacks. Certainly, there are things outside of your control, but your attitude can significantly influence your success.
When you get knocked down, get back up. Make more calls. Find some new leads. Discover a new way to market. Go to what you have to do to be a success. It falls on you.
It is easy to get caught up in the problem without a solution. We are programmed to see problems in life. We are not always good at finding a solution. But it is possible.
Nat had a candidate who purchased a failing Subway franchise. He could have blamed his location, the previous owner, his franchise consultant, or the franchisor.
But he didn't!
He looked to take responsibility for his decision and solve his problem. And he did. He started marketing B2B instead of B2C, and it was a HUGE success. He turned into one of the most successful Subway franchisees. He had a problem, went out and found customers, and was better for it.
When we all learn that our success or failure ultimately falls on us, it can change your mindset for the better.
Pete was a wrestler growing up. He remembers a match where he got beat... badly. He started complaining to his dad and was told, “That’s on you. You need to train harder and be better than anyone else.”
Pete learned his lesson and applies this mindset to business.
This concept doesn't apply to only individuals. It applies to franchises too!
Budget Blinds, a pretty successful franchise, switched to Zoom estimates instead of in-person during the pandemic. Their business was based on in-person estimates, but they hit a roadblock. They figured it out and kept selling. Companies like this may pickup margin and become more profitable in the future.
Being pushed to change could help discover new and better ways to do things. When there isn't a roadmap, don't wait for someone to provide one. Take it upon yourself and figure out what you need to do for success.
Get hit with a problem. Say "Good!" and get to work!
Take a listen to the HYS Podcast episode on this topic.
