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| Kelly Falardeau |
As entrepreneurs, we are used to tough times. We have to be able to pivot when things don't go according to plan.
When Covid hit, I lost all my speaking gigs and didn't know what to do.
I was upset. I still remember when the media said we’d be locked in our houses and wouldn’t be able to go anywhere.
I was a single mom with three teenage kids. I thought to myself, how am I going to support my kids if I can’t make an income?
I took the last $500 I had in my bank account and spent it on food for my kids and me.
I had no idea how long this isolation period was going to last and I was scared. Fortunately, my sister said “Kelly, don’t worry, if you need any money or anything, let me know and we’ll help.”
That eased my anxiety for the short term, but I was still worried about how I was going to make an income if I wasn’t able to get on stage and do public speaking.
So I laid on the couch for a week before I took my next step. Literally, I didn’t move off the couch. I was too shocked that this was happening to the world.
But then I thought to myself, if I can’t speak, what else can I do?
What else am I good at? And that’s when I said, “Well, I guess I’m going to do this book publishing thing full time then.” That’s when I started to put it on Facebook that I was putting on a ‘pay what you can’ book publishing workshop. K
I didn’t care what they paid me, I just wanted to get off the couch, get active and keep myself busy.
Low and behold, clients started flocking to me and these past two years have been my best years financially.
Here’s some strategies you can use to pivot when times get tough:
1. Don't Panic
The first thing you need to do when times get tough is to stay calm. It can be easy to panic when things are going wrong, but that will only make the situation worse. Take a deep breath and assess the situation objectively. Then you can start looking for solutions.
2. Look for Opportunities
When things are going wrong, it can be hard to see the silver lining. But if you look for opportunities, you may be surprised at what you find. For example, when Covid hit and I lost all my speaking gigs, I had more time to focus on my writing and coaching. As a result, I was able to make more money than as a speaker. Plus I also became an award-winning speaker and was nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year. So keep your eyes open for opportunities, even in difficult times. Ask yourself, “What else can I do?”
3. Be Resourceful
As an entrepreneur, one of your most valuable skills is resourcefulness. When times are tough, you need to be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. There is always a way to solve problems, you just have to be willing to think differently and ask for help.
"Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.'
It means you know you don’t know the answer, but you’re willing to ask someone who does. And then you’ll get over the hurdle and be able to move forward again.
Times will always be tough as an entrepreneur, but that doesn't mean you can't succeed. If you can learn to pivot when things go wrong, you'll be surprised at how far you can go. Just remember to stay calm, look for opportunities, and be resourceful, and you'll weather any storm that comes your way.