TURN YOUR OBSTACLE INTO AN OPPORTUNITY

Everyone encounters obstacles in their business.

It might be that you’re a single parent with very little money to invest in starting your online business. It might be that you already have a full-time job and you’re trying to build a side-hustle so you’re feeling pressed for time.

If you don’t have a healthy mindset, you could let all of the obstacles get you down and keep you from reaching your ultimate goals. But successful people that work on their mindsets know that obstacles can often be turned into opportunities to better yourself and your business.

Reframe negative thoughts

Reframing any negative thoughts is a great way to work on your mindset.  You might say things like, “I don’t have enough money to afford that expensive marketing course." 

That can be reframed to "If the marketing course is going to help me get from Point A to Point B, then sign me up!"

"I don’t have enough time to build a side-hustle so I can walk away from my job.”

Try reframing it to be more of a SMART goal (Specific - Measurable - Actionable - Realistic - Time bound).... "I'm going to set aside two hours a week starting today to work on building my business and I'll track those hours on my calendar."

Turning obstacles into opportunities

By reframing those thoughts, you might actually find obstacles can be transformed into an advantage.

For example, you could say, “Since my budget is tight, I don’t waste money on shiny objects. This helps me stay focused in my business."  or "Because I’m pressed for time, I have to be choosy about the projects I take on. This helps ensure I pick projects that are the best match for my skills and my time.”

Creative Solutions

Another helpful tactic for dealing with obstacles is to look for creative solutions. There are many stories of entrepreneurs who were looking to fix a problem they were experiencing and in the process created a product that they went on to sell.

For example, I was tight on time when I first started my business.  I was juggling a full-time job, a family, and other obligations.  To make the best use of my time, I designed a planner that helped guide me in my most important tasks.  That planner is one of the foundational tools that I offer to members of my Solopreneur Success Sisterhood.

Take a moment and write down 10 possible solutions to one of your current obstacles. Keep in mind these solutions don’t have to be plausible. They can be as bizarre as you want because the point is to get into a creative space. Once you’re inside the creative flow, it’ll be easier to see ways you could turn your obstacle into an opportunity.