Highs and Lows

This week was another week of highs and lows. On the low end, I came face to face with D&B having a credit report on our new company. WHAT? I didn’t even know we were on their radar. We’re not exactly in stealth mode, but were not out there doing traditional marketing, press releases, parades and billboards. I guess they picked up info about us from public filings. So of course, their information is out of date and lacks details about any of the good stuff we’ve been doing; raising money, paying bills… So, now we’re faced with paying money (for help) for them to clean up our report. Sort of feels like highway robbery.

Speaking of stealth mode, I also got a very strange call this week inviting me to appear on a business television show. I was like… WHAT? How did you even find out about us? We’re still deciding if we’ll use this opportunity to begin more formal marketing. But it was SOOO weird to have someone reach out like that out of the blue. Highlight. I think.

Before the highlights…another fun LOW…both of our family cars overheated this week. Argh. If the only stress in life was related to the business. Maybe that would be too easy. When it rains, it pours. Not complaining. Just taking it in stride. What else can I do. Totally freak out and panic. Not helpful. Breath in… and breath out. Keep things in perspective. Even when it feels like things are piling on or crashing down around you. Rest assured that things will be ok. This last episode finally came into perspective when I realized that getting the tow only cost 1.5 tanks of gas. And, it was a stroke of PURE LUCK (blessings) that that same car that overheated and broke down today, got my wife home from St. George (temps above 110) safely, just yesterday. That was a 600 Mile trip where she was alone, and she made it there and back without trouble. Today for a moment, I felt the crushing pressure of disaster UNTIL I remembered how bad it would have been for my wife to be stranded 200 miles from home. Alone. Moving that LOW to the HIGHLIGHT column. It’s amazing how often a lowlight is actually a highlight when I look at it with gratitude instead of frustration.

Another one in the HIGH/GOOD column, this week was another week of meeting more great people. I’ve never felt comfortable in cocktail parties and mingling with strangers. So, I’ve rarely jumped at the opportunity to meet new people. I treasure my close friends and the intimate conversations we have. But I can no longer hide behind my shy introverted self. Meeting new people is a huge part of what’s needed to make this business successful. This week I had lunch with the son of one of my best friends (I’ll have to tell you about Max one of these days), and after an amazing engaging hour with someone else, I learned he was close friend with Don (read my EPIC $hit post). I had breakfast with a bright young controller (I learned a lot from him). I reconnected with some old friends and made new friends. The growing network of people, ideas, suggestions, feedback and support is amazing.

If you are thinking YOU COULD NEVER DO SOMETHING BRAVE like start your own business (or whatever your big dream is). In my case… I COULDN’T either. But me, my amazing partner, our amazing team, family and hundreds of supportive friends. Now, that’s ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. WE can do ANYTHING.  SO CAN YOU!  Have a great week.

PS: Just don’t make the mistake of doing it alone. Or worse, actually believing you did it all by yourself.