In my experience as business owner, discouragement and despair has come in many forms: ungrateful staff who remain unthankful and indifferent after I have ensured against all odds that their salaries are increased; vicious competitors who suddenly emerge from nowhere with alternative services that make nonsense of what we’ve tirelessly achieved as a team; personal relationship problems which sap my emotions and energy levels and attempt to affect my performance if I don’t get a grip over myself; pressure on me to come up with miraculous strategies when in truth, I am clueless about what to do!
These are transitions Business owners periodically battle with silently without anyone knowing about their dampened spirits. Indeed for me, sometimes the discouragement and despair have become so overwhelming that I’ve unconsciously taken it out on innocent people at work to their utter surprise.
Each of us must find the best way to handle our dark moments. What works for you may vary from what works for me. Sometimes, all we need is unburdening to someone who will just listen, empathize, encourage, advise or share their own similar experiences, for us to get back on track. Other times, we may need to seek solitude somewhere to assess the situation, pray about it or encourage ourselves to regain inner strength.
I’ve come across some colleagues who stifle or ignore their moments of despair. I don’t think that is advisable though because it could lead to impaired judgment, indecisiveness, flawed decision making or depression.
If you are reading this and you are going through your own bouts of discouragement and despair, know that you are not alone. All business owners go through this phase as long as we continue to direct visions, lead and interact with human beings.
Also, life has been designed in such a way that unexpected situations occur that are totally beyond our ability to control or avert. During such times, it is good to know that we have an Almighty God who can intervene in strange ways when we cry out to Him for help in our moments of fear, anxiety and uncertainty.
Let us be comforted in knowing that if we have come this far by grace and come through other despairing moments, somehow this too shall pass and our strength and confidence shall be restored again.
Coming up next week: START-UP VISION KILLERS: Ever heard of the “BP” type of CEO?
