I know for sure—more than once—I've created an uphill struggle for myself. I've tried to do more work than is humanly possible, I've tried to set up in niches and industries that 'looked good' rather than 'felt good' and I've certainly bitten off more than I could chew—on many an occasion.
We all do it (surely I can't be the only one?) and it's probably got something to do with the 'work ethic' we grew up with. I was certainly someone who grew up with and around a 'work hard and you'll reap the rewards' mentality. And there's nothing wrong with that—it means you get off your backside and take action. BUT there's comes a point where you don't actually stop taking action even when it's clearly an uphill struggle, and perhaps there's an easier way...
Now, we can all climb a mountain if we put our minds to it (and backs into it) BUT sometimes, surely, it makes sense to take the cable car? I mean it's there... would seem silly not to use it:) And sometimes in business (and life!) even though there's a cable car up our mountain (metaphors now, unless you actually own a mountain!), we either don't see it OR choose not to use it. Are we mad?
If the object of the exercise is to get to the top of the mountain, jump in the cable car then have fun slalom-ing down the mountain full of energy—if that's your Thing.
Now, of course for some people, the climb IS their Thing and in which case carry on. But so often, I think (in fact, I see), people mistake the climb for the view at the top when, in fact, that view at the summit is what they really want.
If your Thing is delivering a great service or product, don't think YOU have to do everything and be there every step of the way. You might want to outsource some of the steps or train a team in what you do (most of what you do if you still want to do the clever bit), or you may just want to 'buy in' pieces and components already made. Whether the chef butchered his own meat, or chopped his own veg (or not) I just want to eat the recipe he came up with and presents in front of me. If the chef tried to do everything himself in the kitchen he'll be struggling uphill for most of service. And my dinner might not be so lovely...
Think about where, when and why you might be struggling uphill. What is that real result you want to deliver and do YOU have to be a part of all of that? Really? If you do, that's OK by the way—just raise your prices, limit your clients and enjoy the climbs you take with them.
But if you're having to run up and down that mountain 10 or 100 times a day, you really need to use the cable car as, after all, what you're really after is the view.
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