Do you work in or own a business that's affected by seasonal cycles? Do you live in a community whose population changes significantly during the year (e.g., tourist influx, students returning to college)? Do you ever feel stressed out or frustrated by the seemingly constant changes or the extreme highs and lows of your life or your business?
Many people feel that these cyclical changes are just something they have to tolerate. Never mind that your relationships, physical health, and your sanity can be stretched to the breaking point during busy seasons. Or that you're so tired by the end of busy seasons that you simply don't have any resources left for anything else.
Cash Flow Can Be a Problem
If you make most of your money in three or four months of the year, how can you plan your expenses over all twelve months? And if your predictions about what you'll make during the busy season are wrong-you can have serious problems. Wouldn't it be great to approach a new season with money left in the bank from last season? By caring about and paying attention to your cash flow, you can stop worrying about making ends meet during the slower seasons.
Your Personal Relationships May Get Shortchanged
During your time of high activity, you see no one. Your partner, your friends, your family-all have to live without you for a few months. Well, what if they get used to doing without you? What if they become so tired of your not being around for them, that they stop being around for you? It doesn't take a great deal of time to pay attention to your personal relationships during your busy season, and it's an investment that pays off handsomely.
Your Physical Health May Be at Risk
How many more years can you push yourself to your physical limits in order to meet the ever-increasing demands of your busy season?
Getting Stuck on the Stress Roller Coaster
Do you love roller coasters? It's easy to get addicted to the adrenaline rush of the big hills and the loop-the-loops. Ever been stuck on one, or ride the same one many times in a day? It's one of the most boring things ever. The view never changes, the thrill of the unknown dwindles, and you just can't wait to get off. The same thing happens if you find yourself stuck on the roller coaster of seasonal stresses. Instead of rolling with the ups and downs, you become stressed all the time. How can you get off the ride? Check out the Ten Ways to Reduce Stress This Season?free!
Seasonal Changes Can Be Isolating
Living with seasonal changes can make you feel unique. Not many people get to live on Martha's Vineyard, right? Not many people get to have the summers off, especially if they're not teachers?aren't you lucky? Well, the very things that make your life or your business unique may also make you feel alone. You feel like you shouldn't complain because you live in paradise; or because summer vacation is built into your job. Luckily, there are many ways to find and communicate with people who are experiencing the same things you are: online communities, networking meetings, coaching groups. Sharing ideas, stories, and hints for dealing with seasonal changes can go a long way to helping you feel more connected and less stressed.
"That's the Way It Is" Is Not a Valid Argument
Just because you live in a seasonal community, or work in a seasonal business, doesn't mean you are required to be miserable during the busy season. Being able to successfully deal with the stresses of seasonal cycles can have a wide-ranging impact. If you are happier and more confident, your customers (family, co-workers, etc.) will be too.
(c)2005 Barbara Bellissimo.
Barbara Bellissimo is a women's life transformation coach, and author of the book, "Become Your Own Great and Powerful: A Woman's Guide to Leading Your Real, Big Life."
Visit http://www.seasonsofsuccess.com to get her no-cost special report--"Turn On Your Power and Lead Your Self to Greatness"--and her easy-to- use tools and ideas for leading the real, big life you want--right now!
Barrington South Lincoln Stretch rentals .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareIf you're a solo professional like I am, you know... Read More
Many companies are reluctant to dive into outsourcing ocean because... Read More
Storytelling and writing a business plan actually go hand in... Read More
Franchised companies often require what some believe to be excessive... Read More
Mobile auto detailing equipment becomes very inexpensive around March each... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
This will make some people angry as hell, but it's... Read More
In today's rapidly changing and highly competitive markets, many privately... Read More
"Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More
If you are looking for a partner, funding, angle investor... Read More
More than $117 billion passed hands from Internet shoppers to... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
Writing a business plan to help you direct and manage... Read More
When in doubt, cut that out! Yeah, yea, doubting Thomas... Read More
Creativity is one of the greatest tools for success in... Read More
These may sound like no brainers, but you'd be surprised.... Read More
A well known, national chain of restaurants discovered that certain... Read More
You have invested a lot of time and energy on... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits horizontal markets clientele and in case... Read More
Here is an abstract thought on studying nature and the... Read More
( * - the word 'product' can be substituted to... Read More
How you finance the expansion of your business is important.... Read More
One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More
The new check cashing instant clearing will take some time... Read More
Downers Grove limo Chicago ..Business plan financial projections seem daunting because they are so... Read More
As a franchisor it is imperative that you seek, find... Read More
While writing an article recently on effective ways to bridge... Read More
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
Writing a business plan for a franchised outlet of a... Read More
Writing a business plan is not an easy endeavor, nor... Read More
Why do so many companies languish and watch as their... Read More
I am not a big fisherman, but I do enjoy... Read More
For many consumers and producers, MSP is an acronym for... Read More
I love the excitement of starting up a new home... Read More
Regroup?is this a new management trend? Not a chance! Regroup... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains, former Great Plains Dynamics is excellent fit... Read More
Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
How you finance the expansion of your business is important.... Read More
I'm not talking about posting the HBO schedule on your... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains serves mid-size and large clients... Read More
Is there really anything as a problem? Does chaos or... Read More
Note to Northwest Airlines ? It's not about fuel costsFor... Read More
So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More
Many movies have been made about the tragic story of... Read More
Possibly THE most frequently asked question of me is "What... Read More
I am surprised how few sales professionals, independent consultants, and... Read More
Strategic alliances are increasing at a rapid rate. It is... Read More
A well known, national chain of restaurants discovered that certain... Read More
Strategic Planning |