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… But when you can do something, ACT and don’t complain.

There are few power busters greater than worrying about the things over which we have no control. This is especially true for, and probably the real definition of, people who have control issues. We spend time trying, in vain, to gain control over situations and people where it is not our place or within our capability to be successful.

If being a “control freak” does not describe you, how about being a “worry wart?” Once we are resigned to the fact that we have no control in a given situation, we often spend needless time worrying about it. The weather is a great example of this. We have a big day planned of outdoor activities and the weather forecast shows a probability of rain. We hope that our plans aren’t ruined and then complain bitterly when the showers come as predicted.

Instead of obsessing about the weather, we can focused on the things over which we have control. There are several decisions that can be made:

• Determine that it is okay to proceed in the rain
• Figure out a way to hold our activities indoors, away from the rain
• Cancel the plans and wait for another clear day

When we acknowledge that we have choices and exercise our power to make those choices, their is no need to then complain. Complaining puts us in victim mode, while exercising choices keeps us powerful.

I used weather to illustrate this, but the same holds true in business. Today, our nation is facing one of the greatest economic storms any but the most senior of us has ever experienced. What are you going to do about it? Should you just sit back and worry? Hope that your plans don’t get ruined? Well, hope is not a strategy. Instead you can review your choices and exercise some options:

• Is your business’ economic position healthy enough to sustain itself through a credit crunch and depressed sales?
• Do you need to change your strategy and find ways to operate in either a new market or with a different business model?
• Is it time to realize that continuing with the current plan is a losing proposition and that it is best to halt operations and relaunch at another time?

These are all decision that you can make regarding your business. They may be easier said than done, but, unlike worrying, hoping, and complaining, making a choice and taking the difficult steps is what will lead you to achieve your desired results.

Have a powerful day!