Feeling Down? Call Another Entrepreneur

I received an email earlier today from a friend of mine who owns a company in New York. He woke up this morning (after not sleeping well over the weekend) feeling very nervous about his business, which is losing revenue and costs are going up. Last week we had lunch and he was very excited about the next few years; he is developing plans for new product lines and a new way to package his product. What changed? Really nothing. This is how many entrepreneurs roll. One minute, you closed a big deal and you are on the top of the world, and another, you are wondering how you will make payroll. 

So when I got the email, I knew exactly what to do. I replied and asked him to call me if he wanted to talk and a minute later, the phone rang. I listened to him for a minute, but I already knew what I was going to say. I didn't suggest what he should do in his business BECAUSE HE ALREADY KNOWS. What he needs is a change of scenery and a chance to focus for 60 minutes. I suggested that he takes a notebook and go to a Starbucks to spend an hour figuring out what to do. As we ended the call, he told me he was already feeling better and was going to follow my suggestion.

Why did this work? Simple – entrepreneurs know what other entrepreneurs are going through (I go through something similar every once in a while myself). So next time you are a little down on your business, and assuming you have a close friend who is an entrepreneur, just reach out and call him or her. Whatever they say, they know what they are talking about. They have been there too. This can also work if the entrepreneur that you know is down too. You will pick each other up.

Comments

[twitter.com/BogotaBistro]

We think about this notion quite a bit: TOPGRADE our friendships and professional relationships. Being around subordinates all day long sometimes leaves us thinking like they do vs. being around other successful entrepreneurs who can remind us of the vision we had when we created our businesses and the positions we are in to effectuate change. Quite often I forget that I am the boss and I need to be reminded of this ... it's other successful entrepreneurs who have been through what I may be going through who remind me of this. Great article.

[Mardy Sitzer]

This is such a powerful suggestion and thank you for writing about this. So many of us feel this way and never think to ASK FOR HELP - and that sometimes help is just a knowing ear. You are also on target about stepping away, getting into a different space with a notebook. Also this article demonstrates how an important nurturing relationship with other entrepreneurs is to not just growing our businesses but to our sanity. Thanks Rob and don't be surprised if you see my number pop up on your caller ID!

[John Hyman]

Thats why peer advisory boards are such a great tool for the small business owner. Surround yourself with other talented, successful entrepreneurs and let them help validate your thinking.

[Lauren Porat]

This is why it is so phenomenal to have a good business partner and co-founder - we never have to go very far for this kind of support.

Lauren Porat
Co-Founder (with Cari Sommer)
Urban Interns
www.urbaninterns.com