The 10 Commandments of Small Business
Back in 2009, a year or so into the Great Recession, things were tough all over.
The ad agency I co-founded was on financial thin ice and the reality of paying two partners and a staff what they needed to survive was getting tougher by the day. Like virtually every business in America, our clients were playing rope-a-dope with the resources they had and marketing budgets were being slashed up, down and inside out. The trickle down effect was in full effect.
With the calendar about to turn over and no end in site, I reflected on what needed to be done to survive, and the ideas the emanated came to be in the form of “The 2010 Commandments.”
There was no Burning Bush. But there was a burning desire to survive, so the rules were a roadmap to that destination. They were designed specifically for the unique times we were living in. They were really created with small business in mind, but they were certainly applicable beyond that. Now, a decade later, I am wondering if they are still applicable? Here’s a recap:
I. GET UNCOMFORTABLE
Nothing important happens when you settle into a comfort zone. Instead, push the limits.
II. NEVER GIVE UP
If it didn’t work the first time, try again — but make sure you change how you are doing it.
III. KNOW YOUR DESTINATION
If you don’t know what you want or where you are going, it’s impossible to arrive there.
IV. ONE DAY AT A TIME
Make today a great and productive day. String a bunch together to reach your goals.
V. KEEP MOVING FORWARD
Make a goal to improve in some small way every single day. The sum of your efforts will show.
VI. PREPARE TO DECIDE
Wise, courageous decision making will pay dividends far greater than time saved by taking shortcuts and not thinking things through.
VII. MANAGE EVERYTHING
The theory of chaos says anything left unmanaged will eventually spiral out of control. Stay in front of chaos.
VIII. MAKE YOUR OWN BREAKS
Luck happens to those who put themselves in position to receive luck…not lucky people.
IX. BE A MACGYVER
Find your own solutions. It’s satisfying and improves one’s self in ways hard to measure. It also allows you to reduce your bottom line.
X. FIND THAT SILVER LINING
There’s always a good reason to smile or good that comes from bad. By all means, find it.
The “Bottom Line,” as I summarized back then, was to Dream Big, Plan Well, Work Hard, Smile Always, and Good Things Will Happen.
Does this doctrine work?
Well, fast forward a decade and I am enjoying great successes both professionally and personally. In reviewing The 2010 Commandments, I can honestly say I have not just talked the talk, but I walked the walk. More or less I have adhered to each and every one of the commandments, and guess what? Good things happened.
Will good things continue to come my way if I live by these golden rules? Time will tell, but I think they will. The recession changed me for the good. I’m prepared, adaptable, nimble and provide more value now than ever before…which happens to be what clients like best.
If you are looking for a resolution in the new year, here’s 10. Try them all.
