Self-Sufficiency or Self-Denial?

Recently, my neighborhood book club read Nothing To See Here, by Kevin Wilson. As I was walking my dog one morning and listening to the audiobook, this quote grabbed my attention.

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It was a EUREKA moment. I thought to myself, "This is it! This is the internal battle that prevents business owners from recognizing their need to invest in business coaching."

​I must admit that I'm a Gen Xer, and like my cohort's generalization, I tend to be a DIY gal. As a business owner, I am also diligent about cashflow when making business expenses and investment decisions. So I get why so many of us fall into the trap so eloquently names by Kevin Wilson's protagonist. 

That is why this week, I'm sharing THREE mindset shifts required to stop the cycle of denying ourselves the things we need in the name of self-sufficiency.​

ONE. It's okay to spend $$ on the easy way over the hard way.

Your time, happiness, and health matter! If your business is overwhelming your schedule, stressing you out with too many demands, or requiring knowledge and skills you don't possess, and yet, you choose self-sufficiency, then you are choosing the hard way.  

It's hard to make money in a business without investing in supplies, products, advertising, or other business expenses. Today's pace of new technology, tools, and platforms is continually changing and improving. Many of these are solutions specifically designed to streamline processes, increase response speed, and automate standard tasks. The problem is the time required to learn, customize, and implement these tools fully. This time is either added to your already demanding schedule or exchanged for time spent on your core business activities. 

Although it can be scary to spend money buying an expert's services, it is likely the best business decision you can make in the long run. An expert brings knowledge and experiences they can deploy immediately without the learning curve. When you do your diligence in researching providers and select qualified professionals, you get better results faster and save yourself many headaches. Check out this SWAAY.COM article from last year, "10 Reasons You Should Hire An Expert."


TWO. Spending money can help you make money.

According to a 2019 report by Small Business Trends, running out of cash is the second most common reason businesses fail. In light of this, being hawkish about when and where you spend money is essential. However, most companies go through phases that require short-term debt. 

Paying attention to cash flow and earnings is essential. And although it is preferable to collect and deposit money before you spend it, committing to expenses based on forecasted sales makes sense when those investments enable you to increase future earnings.

Check out this extensive resource on measuring ROI.


​THREE. Asking for help is NOT bad.

According to Dr. Brené Brown, a professor and vulnerability researcher at the University of Houston, insecurity is present in all of us and so strong that we often go out of our way to avoid situations that might make us feel fragile. Some people perceive admitting the need for help as inadequacy. For others, it is an adaptive response that allows them to accept their life and continue with it, even if it costs them a lot of suffering (learn more). These are mindsets that KEEP YOU STUCK AND SLOW YOU DOWN!

This 2017 article from Forbes makes four compelling arguments for why asking for help strengthens us. Two ideas that stood out to me include the infusion of new perspectives and that asking for help is a signal of trust in those around you. ​

Have you learned to live without the things you need in the name of self-sufficiency? What would it take for you to permit yourself to break this cycle? Share your answers in the comments. 

We are only one month into the new year, making this the perfect time to SAY YES to your mental health, life balance, and ultimately faster and better results.