“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
― Albert Camus
I was first introduced to the idea of business seasons from my business coach last year. I love using this framework with my clients to identify where they are in their business and also as a tool to find where their strengths may lie.
Right now on the East coast we are still feeling the effects of winter. But, if you look closely there are subtle signs that spring is coming.
Business has seasons and rhythms too. It’s important to remember whether we are in a place of feeling stuck or stagnant in our business or if we are in a season of extreme busyness, that these seasons won’t last forever.
Let’s take a closer look at the seasons of business and get greater clarity about where currently are.
“When the seasons shift, even the subtle beginning, the scent of a promised change, I feel something stir inside me. Hopefulness? Gratitude? Openness? Whatever it is, it’s welcome.”
― Kristin Armstrong
Spring is the season of ideas and creation. Taking your visions and bringing them to life. It is a season of hope and creativity. Spring is probably the busiest of all the seasons and involves taking lots of action to move you towards the first blooms of summer.
Spring will be much more successful if you have a plan or a map of where you want to go. Similar to how someone might plan a garden, you will have much more success with a plan then if you just went outside and starting throwing seeds around in the dirt.
Summer is the season where things begin to come together. It is still very busy as we tend to our garden, but you also start to see the fruit of your labor. It’s important to remember your business still needs nurturing and guidance during this time so all of the hard work you did in the spring pays off.
When fall arrives business is becoming consistent and standards and processes start to become routine. Things may feel easiest in this season compared to others and it is a good time to reflect with gratitude on how far you have come. Don’t forget, however, as your harvest in this season to make plans for winter ahead. Whether that means reinvesting in your business or taking a fresh look at your current systems your planning in this season will pay dividends ahead.
Winter is an important season, both for rest and reflection. This is the perfect time to look at what is working and what isn’t working in your business and really refine the systems and tools that brought you this far. For some, business may drop off because the owner forgets that there are innovations or new ideas that can be implemented to make their business even better. Instead of skipping over this season, use it as a tool to enter spring reinvigorated and excited for what is ahead.
Even though winter isn’t my favorite season of the year, in business winter is where I really thrive. When things are tough for business owners that is when I can do my best. My strength is helping business owners look at their goals along with their current systems, and help create a path out of the downturn.
I would love to know – what season of business are you?
This is compiled from Erica’s podcast interview on Inspired Direct by Vishal Hemrajani. You can listen to the entire episode here:
iTunes
ShoutEngine
Quigley Management Consulting LLC (2019)
Erica Q's Blog 