As a business owner, whether you own a yoga studio or are a freelance yoga teacher, you’ll experience many ups, and unfortunately downs.
This is the deal as an entrepreneur. I’m writing this post as much of a reminder for me as for other entrepreneurs.
This morning I received an e-mail about a tax situation that will cost me some money. It’s nothing illegal, but it’s a small mistake I made that will cost me money.
After reading the e-mail I was seething. I repeated to myself “How could I be so stupid?” and “Why didn’t I ask my accountant first rather than just assuming?”
I still may be able to fix the mistake, but that’s not the point. The point is I could spend the rest of the day dwelling on it OR I could focus my attention on the present and building my business. For me, building my business is focusing on my vision and the steps necessary to get there.
Focussing on my vision is healthy. I love the fact I’m building something that offers value. Yoga Baron is part of my vision and it’s a website I’m very proud of. Yes, I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve learned from those mistakes, and am moving forward with this website’s vision, which is helping yoga studio owners and teachers.
I’m grateful because I receive some of the nicest e-mail messages from readers which continually inspire me. Thank you.
Another much better approach to problems and mistakes is to focus on gratitude. No matter the challenges that arise, there’s always something to be grateful for.
After about 15 minutes of worrying about my little tax mistake, it occurred to me that focussing on this is not going to do me any good. Instead, I’d be much better focussing on my business and immersing myself in the activities I love the contribute to my vision. That’s what I did.
4 Steps for Dealing with problems
1. Acknowledge the problem.
Don’t ignore it. Acknowledge it. I’m not a fan of trying to convince myself “problems” or “mistakes” are “challenges” or “obstacles to overcome.” I don’t see that spinning the term does any good. A problem is a problem and a mistake is a mistake. It’s not the verbiage that matters, instead, it’s the way you deal with it that matters.
If calling problems or mistakes challenges or obstacles works for you that’s great. At the end of the day, it’s how you respond and deal with “challenges” and “obstacles” that matter.
2. Solve or accept the problem.
If you can solve it, then do so. If not, accept it and move on.
3. Learn from the problem.
Unfortunately and fortunately we learn from mistakes. I say unfortunately because we’re faced with a problem. I say fortunately because learning from problems and mistakes is effective. I know I learn fast and deeply from painful mistakes and problems. If I don’t, shame on me and chances are I’ll get to deal with it again.
4. Adjust your focus to your vision, your business, and the present.
You won’t do yourself any good dwelling on a problem. Deal with it and adjust your focus. Keep building. Continue serving your yoga students. Continue providing your core value. Immerse yourself in activities you love doing.
Get to step 4 as quickly as possible.
Inevitable problems, mistakes, challenges, and obstacles yoga teachers face
Why on earth would I set out problems yoga studios and teachers face? Isn’t that pointless? I believe not. In my view, there’s strength in knowing the problems you face, other yoga studio owners face as well. You’re not alone. Knowing you’re not alone provides strength.
2 Common problems yoga studio owners and yoga teachers face
1. Rejection
This is probably one of the hardest problems yoga studio owners, teachers, and business owners in general face.
Rejection occurs all the time. New students don’t return. You lose long-time yoga students. People don’t call you back. Employees leave. Website visitors don’t contact you. You receive criticism about your business, classes, staff, premises, etc.
2 Solutions to rejection:
- Accept you cannot please everyone. In fact, a business that strives to please everyone is a bad business model because it has no unique selling position (USP). Instead, view rejection as you doing something right. Focus on your loyal students and the positive feedback you receive. That said, sometimes you must make changes from rejection. If you receive many of the same criticisms from your core student base, then you should consider making a change.
- Focus on delivering your unique selling position. This is your core offering that makes your studio unique. Your USP is your vision. Focus on it and work toward it.
Don’t take rejection personally. Yes, this is trite but true. In fact, you, as a consumer, reject other business owners all the time. You mean nothing personal by it. Instead, you simply exercised your preference.
2. Money Mistakes
I could write a list many pages long of money mistakes entrepreneurs make, including me.
I’ll mention one pervading mistake and how to deal with it.
One of the biggest money mistakes is hiring the wrong people – whether teachers, staff, janitorial team, marketing consultants, website designers … you name it. Sometimes it seems easier to hire the wrong people than the right people.
Here’s the deal. You will hire and pay the wrong people. It will seem like you threw your money away. Accept it and learn what you can.
There’s no sure-thing when hiring or engaging contractors. Do your due diligence such as checking references as best as you can, and move forward. I’ve spent a small fortune hiring the wrong people.
BUT, in the process, I’ve hired some amazing people. In some cases, it took a while to find them, but it was worth it in the long run.
The entrepreneur’s journey is exciting. Seldom do days include watching the clock waiting for the clock hands to strike 5 o’clock. No, being an entrepreneur is exciting. There’s so much you want to do and there’s so much that excites you. It’s thrilling and frustrating. It’s a lively experience.
Dealing with problems as an entrepreneur beats boredom any day of the week if you are passionate about your business. Remember, if you’re making a living doing what you love, you always have that to be grateful for.