When the Leader is Struggling: How to Keep Going in Hard Times

Cancer.

Death.

Accidents.

Flooding.

Sickness.

When unforeseen circumstances come out of nowhere like a punch to the gut, and you're left gasping for breath, how do you keep going?

How do you run your business when all the adrenaline, energy and excitement are gone?

When all you want to do is go crawl back in bed (or in a dark hole) and you're the leader, how do you react? What do you fall back on?

The first thing I do is pray.

Sometimes ALL I can do is throw my hands up in surrender and ask God for help, peace, and guidance.

He is faithful to take the wheel and drive for awhile.

The second thing I do is lean back on my systems.

When grief has left me limp and lifeless and I can barely get myself out of bed, I go back to what I set up for myself in times of energy and inspiration.

I look at my monthly marketing calendar: what am I supposed to be doing today? Even if I don't FEEL like it, I can start my newsletter, send my emails, update my website, and check our monthly profit and loss spreadsheet.

Even if I don't feel like CREATING or writing anything, I can do the mundane tasks because it doesn't take emotion to check off certain items on your to do list.

If you only rely on creativity and emotion to move forward, grief and loss can sink your ship.

In the good times and in the light, map out the plan for your month (it should rotate every month) and for the week. What needs to always happen? What is predictable? For example, I send out a monthly newsletter, so every month I have to:

• Write my article
• Select pictures
• Gather data and statistics from the month
• Send to the printer
• Copy to my website
• Email to my list
• Post on Facebook

Except for writing the main article, I can do the rest of those things without much creative juice flowing.

Huge Tip: Save your creative tasks for when you  are feeling creative.

Don't waste your creative energy doing mundane things, if you can use that energy to CREATE. Likewise, if you're not "feeling" it, go back to your systems and do what you know needs to be done.

Delegate.

I have many, many people around me, helping things to get accomplished every day of the week whether or not I "feel" like doing those things. My job is to manage and oversee those people, and even when I'm feeling less than 100%, these things get done, because I've trained them well. If I had not trained them and clearly explained what I expect, then when I'm down for the count, those things would fall down around me.

Instead, because they've clearly been taught the system, things can run "without" me for awhile.

Tips for Delegation:

• Write down what you expect (do not expect people to remember verbal instructions). Have an operations manual.
• INSPECT what you expect. Check up on them. Regularly. Tweak what is incorrect. Use technology to stay informed.
• TRUST them to do a good job. Empower them to make decisions on their own. Praise them when they do!
• Meet with them regularly to discuss what is going well and what needs to be improved upon. Have weekly staff meetings, either in person or on a conference phone line.
• Give them FREEDOM to do a good job without you looking over their shoulder 24/7. When they do well, praise them!
• Tell them you will "zoom in" occasionally and tweak what needs to be changed. By forewarning them, it won't feel like you are micro-managing. They will know this is coming.
• Look at the big picture. Are things running smoothly? What can be fixed or changed?

If you are in the dark and you have not set up systems, just push through. The light WILL come again. You WILL make it through. When hope has returned, and you have energy once more, set up your SYSTEMS.

Living in perpetual crisis-mode is not healthy.

Yes, crisis happens for all of us. We must expect it, for death and disease does not pass over any of our lives--it touches us somehow, whether directly or through our friends and families.

When you have come out of your crisis, do not just push forward. Look backwards--what can you learn from the experience? What systems or people can be put in place so things do not fall apart the next time life throws you a curve ball?

Take the time to analyze what can be changed and improved upon. Take notes. Write it down. Then implement it.

Do not jump from one crisis to another. We can learn from hard times and be more prepared in the future. For more help on setting up your systems, request our 13 Secrets to a Streamlined, Organized, Happy Team!
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You CAN make it through the darkness and to the other side.

Whatever you are going through, lean on God to be your strength. Surrender to Him and He will guide you through. Blessings on you, my friend.