There is an alternative to doing difficult things.

Q: What’s the alternative to doing the difficult thing?

My client was facing some colossal growing pains at work.

They had just acquired four new stores. They went from seven brick-and-mortar shops to eleven.

The week that they took over the shops, the computer system didn’t integrate correctly.

Sales people couldn’t access price quotes.

No parts could be ordered. No inventory checked.

Ringing up a customer was non-existent.

And the employees running the stores were now working for new owners.

They were pretty ticked off at what was happening at work under the new management.

It was a $75k/day in lost revenue kind of problem.

And that didn’t even quantify the morale issues that would hit the fan in the coming days because the ownership transition was less than smooth.

My client was feeling it.

The stress felt overwhelming.

He said, “But I have to take care of it. What’s the alternative?”

Let’s just stop right here.

I’ve actually heard this comment many times in my life.

My husband was a quadriplegic in a wheelchair.

We had many physical challenges throughout the 27 years we were married.

Months spent in the hospital.

It took us 16 years to have IVF work for us. We got one miracle baby.

Then my husband died 4 years ago. Unexpectedly.

People often tell me about difficulties that they are facing in their lives. We have a shared experience.

When I tell them that what they are doing is brave and incredible, they often say something similar to what my client said that week, “Well, we just do it. What’s the alternative?”

Listen.

I’m going to say it clearly and forcefully.

You have an alternative.

There is always an alternative to solving the problem or handling the difficult thing.

It’s called NOT DOING IT.

It is a choice to buckle down and face something that isn’t ideal.

It is a choice to lead in the middle of it all falling apart.

It is a choice to kick into problem-solving mode when the deck is stacked against you.

It is a choice to stand up, face it head on, and make intentional decisions.

Give yourself credit for choosing to sort through the mess.

Give yourself credit for having the guts to see the problem and work to solve it.

Give yourself credit for being the kind of leader who does the difficult things AND understands that there IS an alternative.

Whether it’s at work or at home, give yourself credit for not giving up.

Part of the reason my client was able to handle what looked like pure disaster during that transition month was because he had support.

The franchise head office helped with IT support.

The seasoned employees from other stores were brought in to figure out how to run things without an ideal computer system.

They set the tone for the employees who hadn’t worked for my client before.

And my client had a coach.

A person who could help him work from his highest emotional and mental ability.

He had support for what was happening inside the stores.

He also chose to have support for what was happening inside his mind and body.

And that support from a coach was just as vital as getting the computer system integrated properly.

This is creating success from the inside out.

You always have the choice to solve the problem.

Give yourself credit for facing the difficult thing.

For finding solutions.

For rallying the troops.

For fixing it.

For accessing ALL of the support that can help you.

There is always an alternative.

It’s called not doing it.

It’s called giving up.

It’s called blaming others.

It’s called walking away.

This is why I like working with you.

You do the difficult thing.

Sending love,

K