How the Secret Art of Indifference Creates a Successful
Entrepreneur
Copyright 2006 Rasheed Ali
Did you know that business and the entrepreneur don't mix?
Seems counterintuitive but if you REALLY stop to think about it
you'll soon see what I mean.
You see, as entrepreneurs we all have high hopes and dreams but
of course we call them GOALS!
We all are all want to change the world in some way, but we call
it a focused vision.
We all want to be rich and famous but we say, that we're doing
it for the pride and fulfillment of accomplishment.
Now that all sounds pretty cute and even funny but here's where
the problems begin.
In our day to day business affairs, we are sometimes faced with
rather difficult decisions. Decisions that may alter the course
of our company's future!
They can sometimes be in the form of an employee or a competitor
or even a client.
Emotionally we want to scream, shout and jump up and down! The
sad thing is that for many entrepreneurs that's just what they
do. BUT, for a chosen few the successful entrepreneurs, they
choose a different method.
That method is the Art of Indifference!
Like the samurais of ancient Japan, the emperors of ancient
China and the generals of wars past and present; the Art of
Indifference is one of the successful entrepreneur's most DEADLY
weapons!
Picture this...you're faced with a constant bombardment of
issues like, a key sales person unjustifiably wants more money,
a client that thinks they're being overcharged, a potential
lawsuit is hovering overhead, your marketing department is
attracting garbage leads, and you're on the brink of closing the
biggest sale to date.
Hopefully, you're at a place in your business where you can have
someone else deal with this. Unfortunately, whether you're
running a $100 million business or a $2 million business or even
less, we're all faced with some type of dilemma similar to this.
Ordinary entrepreneurs would have a nervous breakdown by this
time but not a successful entrepreneur.
With a look and manner as sharp as a katana, the successful
entrepreneur would quickly cut each of these issues down to size
with the warrior-like indifference of the ancients and do it
with ruthless-efficiency!
Now if you're thinking that this method is rather cold, you're
absolutely RIGHT!
Think about it this way...if you're faced or rather forced to
make these decisions instantly, then you'd better be prepared to
deal with the consequences of your actions just as fast.
Why, well potentially, someone's getting fired or shown where
the door is, someone's going to be asked to review their
contract, someone's getting sued but litigation is just another
form of doing business, your marketing department is going to be
getting some serious constructive criticism (you know how they
always know everything), and you're still going to have the
laser targeted focus to close that deal and get your money!
The Art of Indifference doesn't teach you to play favorites and
waste time and energy on useless and trivial arguments.
The key to indifference is this: * Be emotionless in the
presence of your adversaries. * Know that no one is in the
business of being your best friend. * Show no weakness to your
problem clients and make them think that you're all about
keeping them happy. * Prepare to do battle in court and don't
take it personal. * Treat your employees fairly and pay them
well but remember, they too are not your friends because for the
right price they will be your competitor's employee as well!
Never let them see you in a state of panic or distress. * Stay
focused on your big goal and do whatever it takes to get there.
There will always be issues to deal with but there won't always
be big deals to be closed! * Don't be afraid to crack a smile
once in a while, let them know you're human too. * Your
customers should know you care about them but NEVER show them
any sign of weakness.
What we've just listed above will help you demand the status and
respect you deserve as a successful entrepreneur. Keep in mind
that Indifference should never over-power your enthusiasm for
your business. Enthusiasm and Indifference can and do work
together.