Rose-colored glasses make terrible business tools

Are you ready to look at reality?

As business owners, we often sense when something needs to change, but looking reality straight in the eyes? That's another story.

It can be intimidating to face your business reality honestly. It might mean making difficult decisions about aspects you've been avoiding - those things you sense, but don't want to acknowledge.

Strategic decisions get postponed because the consequences feel overwhelming. Yet postponing only compounds the problems and limits your growth potential.

I see this pattern repeatedly with small business owners wearing all the hats - CEO, sales, operations, and sometimes even janitor. When you're this immersed in daily firefighting, your perspective may not provide the clarity needed for breakthrough decisions.

Creating your own comfortable reality feels safer but can be perilous. What does it take to see what's REALLY happening?

• Honest assessment of your numbers
• Unbiased feedback about your products/services
• Clear-eyed view of market trends
• Clearly defining your true business goals and why they matter, then committing to the actions they demand

You will have to face reality to move forward! Sometimes getting out of your own bubble requires that outside perspective to ask the uncomfortable questions you've been avoiding.