I’m shocked at what some parents allow their early teenage daughters to do. With two young daughters of my own (Samantha, 11 and Gabriella, 9), it upsets me to hear the perspective some parents take with their parental decisions and choices. Oddly enough, it’s this same perspective that holds back many entrepreneurs.
Call me a stodgy, conservative prude… but… I just don’t feel it’s appropriate for fourteen or fifteen year old girls to walk around in skimpy shorts (a.k.a Daisy Dukes) and miniscule t-shirts with loads of makeup.
When discussing this with friends who have girls of this age, I often hear the following response, “I’d rather have my daughter be honest with me and know what she’s wearing, then have her get in the car with her friends and have her secretly change her clothes”.
I totally get what they’re saying. But, I believe there’s a flaw in their logic. And it’s this same flaw many entrepreneurs apply to their thinking about the choices they have in their business.
Here’s the flaw:
The way they’re presenting their argument, the only two options they believe they have are:
(1) Allow their daughter to go out in skimpy clothing; or…
(2) Have their daughter go out then secretly change clothes.
But, what about a third option:
(3) They teach their daughter the value of self-respect, boost their daughter’s self-esteem. and help their daughter find value in herself beyond just physical appearance… so she doesn’t feel the need to wear skimpy clothing.
(FYI: I’m in no way judging anyone’s parenting. I love my friends regardless of the way they choose to approach their role as a parent and/or the decisions they choose to make with their kids.)
You see, it’s my belief that – just like with many parents – many entrepreneurs limit themselves by not seeing the full spectrum of choices and options they truly have.
For instance, I love the way T. Harv Eker so succintly conveys an example of this point in his best-selling book Secrets of the The Millionaire Mind:
At the root of what T. Harv Eker is saying is that successful people see more options in every circumstance. While the not-so-successful folks arbitrarily limit their options.
With this example alone you can begin to assess your own thinking regarding your business.
Are you ever faced with two options and believe the only option is either one or the other?
For instance…
“I can either have a small business with the freedom that comes from having no employees or I can build a big business with a complete team and lose that freedom.”
Well, why not both – a big business with a complete team that gives you freedom?
Or, how about…
“I can either use ‘inexpensive marketing channels’ (i.e. email) and have more take-home pay or I can use ‘more expensive marketing channels’ (i.e. direct mail) and have less take-home pay.”
Well, why not both – use ‘more expensive marketing channels’ and take home more pay?
You see what I’m saying?
When you begin to look at the third option of both instead of either one or the other of two options you open your world to a whole new set of choices and outcomes.
The point is this: Assess your thinking. Be real, honest and transparent with yourself. And ask yourself, “Is there another choice or option I’m discounting?”
And going forward, instead of settling for either/or think about how you can have both. You’ll be surprised at the answers you’re able to come up with… and the decisions you’re able to make.
Question: What changes to the way you think and make decisions have had a positive impact on your business and life? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
