I’m a big fan of hard work. I think it’s essential for businesses to work hard to move forward, yet if success in your business is reliant on hard work alone, you’ve got a real problem. Because you also need to work smart, with effective, rock-solid systems in place.
Let’s have a look at a few reasons we need to move away from the hard work model of business growth, through to more sustainable methods.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Anne Lamott
PEOPLE GET TIRED:
It’s getting on through the year, and boy has it been a big year for all of us. Chances are you’ll be feeling tired, which is completely understandable. So if your business relies on being at optimum performance and consistent peak energy levels, then growth will start to slow. It’s vital to find more sustainable ways than just relying on hard work, otherwise, you’ll burn out. It can happen to you.
PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES:
Mistakes are a very normal, very human process, and you can learn a lot from them. Yet if mistakes are being made consistently, your progress towards business success business will be hampered. Move away from the hard work model, create simple systems to minimise mistakes, and this will provide more certainty and accuracy in your business.
THINGS CHANGE:
If you’re busy working hard on one thing, and then you suddenly have to pivot and respond to something new, then you’ll have to work even harder to make that change happen. Of course, this won’t be sustainable. Find ways to change the system, because responding strategically to changing circumstances is the only way to sustain lasting business growth.
CONSUMERS CAN BE UNFORGIVING:
The people doing business with you are paying good money for your services. It stands to reason they’ll want quality service all the time. If the only way you can deliver this is by sheer hard work, it’s only a matter of time before cracks begin to show. Building simple systems to deliver excellence is the only sustainable way forward.
YOUR REPUTATION IS BUILT ON CONSISTENCY:
This is true in every area of life, but especially in business. With the hard work model gaps will start to show, affecting how people perceive you. Good news spreads fast, but bad news spreads like wildfire. Finding sustainable ways to develop a systematic approach will allow your quality reputation to continue for the long term. This in turn will become a platform for constant growth.
There’s nothing wrong with honest hard work, but when you work this way without being smart as well, you’ll lose a lot of the benefit you would have gained. Build simple systems in your business, and let your hard work take you further!
