As creative experts and solopreneurs, facing challenges is part of what we do. If we didn't love facing challenges, and do so willingly... and if we weren't at least somewhat good at coming up with solutions to those challenges.. we wouldn't be entrepreneurs.
That said, there's a limit to the coping skills, time, energy, and resources that any individual or business has... and when that limit is reached, a deeper level of resourcefulness is needed than ever before.
My premise in this blog post is that we have reached that moment now. I'm calling it a "Tinkerbell" moment... when your own level of belief in the importance of what you're here to do, and your clients' and customers' commitment to supporting your business endeavor, are critical to the well-being and survival of your enterprise.
Business experts and CEO's of large corporations,
reflecting on the first quarter of 2022 and its implications for the year ahead, seem to agree on one thing:
there is continuing volatility and unpredictability in store for all of us.
We in the online course space are in a very fortunate position, compared to many industries.
Let's count our blessings:
That said, I'm seeing signs of financial and emotional stress out there (and in here, too) that are starting to take a toll, even on us.
The conditions of prolonged, unrelenting, and continually worsening stress that have been impacting the world for the past several years have energized and inspired us to grow, to get creative, to found our businesses.
But these same conditions, especially as they continue to get worse, and worse... and worse...may also be wearing you, me, and our clients and customers, out.
Since about last November, it's been harder for people to make and follow through on financial commitments... and this becomes a vicious circle.
If your OWN suppliers are charging you more, due to supply chain issues. .. and your OWN customers are able to pay you less, or less reliably, or in smaller numbers, due to the stresses THEY face... and if inflation starts making all this worse... a downward spiral can start to set in.
Can you relate? Have you faced this? How can we best cope?
The MOST important thing we can do at a time like this, is to take good care of ourselves first.
This really IS a "put your own oxygen mask on first" moment.
To help you do that, I've created a "Mindset Reset" workbook for course creators.
It's a fillable PDF and you can
(or click on the arrow to access it).
Be sure to download it from the web,
save it to your own computer,
and after you fill it in, hit "print to PDF" to save your inputs.
How are you taking care of yourself, your business, and your customers in these challenging times?
What lessons are you learning about what works for you, and what doesn't,
as a result of facing prolonged and ongoing stress under unpredictable and volatile conditions?
Once we take care of ourselves, we are here to take care of each other.
The premise of business in general, and an online course business in particular, is that we are creating products, programs, and services that provide solutions to other peoples' pain.
There's a lot of pain out there in the world these days... which means there are a lot of ways we, as online course creators, can be of service.
What pain points do YOUR products and services solve?
How are those pain points being impacted by current events?
What are the implications for the courses you're creating, and the way you're offering them to the people you serve?
Understanding the PURPOSE of your business = KNOWING YOUR WHY.
WHY are you working so hard to create online courses and learning programs that improve peoples' lives?
WHY are you here, in this online business space?
WHY do you do what you do?
How will peoples' lives be DIFFERENT AND BETTER
as a direct result of using your products and participating in your services?
If you have read my book,
taken my Streamlined Course Creation course,
or participated in the Course Design Formula® Master Course,
you will recognize that what we are talking about is:
the OVERALL LEARNING GOAL
for your business as a whole.
Your business' learning goal determines the overall shape or structure you create for the way you offer your products and services.
My business, as a whole, is here to promote MINDSET CHANGE.
I want to change the way people approach creating online courses,
so that they always put GOOD LEARNING DESIGN FIRST.
How about yours?
What's the driving purpose, mission, vision of YOUR business?
What's your WHY for doing what you do?
What makes fulfilling that "why" even more important now than ever, in these very challenging times?
Let's talk about it!
Send me an email
to
Rebecca@learnandgetsmarter.com
Come to the Learn and Get Smarter Community Meeting
Where we talk about how to survive and thrive
with online courses and online business
in these challenging times
