Cautiousness is a trait that can come in handy in many different areas of our lives. The same goes for the business world, where a cautious decision can prevent a potential disaster.
However, more often than not, an overly cautious business owner won’t achieve the success they desire. Over-thinking decisions and failing to take risks leads to a failure to achieve your maximum potential.
If you’re finding yourself in this position, changes need to be made. Here’s why.
Conformity
Being overly cautious results in a desire to conform to the ideals that are expected of you. There’s nothing wrong with that, and you’ll achieve success to a degree by doing this.
However, you’ll only get so far. Those who succeed the most in business are the ones who sometimes bend the rules a little. They don’t go too far and put their business in danger, but they employ clever tactics to get ahead.
That’s just the way the business world is, and if you’re too conformist, you’ll fall behind.
Adversity
If you’re the sort of person that struggles in the face of adversity, you’re going to have a bad time!
You will find yourself facing adverse scenarios with customers, clients and more. You need to be able to stand up for yourself in the situations that matter.
For example, Business Insider on Hampton Creek talks about the company arguing with the FDA in its defense. It worked out for them, allowing them to retain an important piece of the company.
Would you have done the same, or would you have backed down and accepted what you were told?
Risk-Taking
When we think of a cautious nature, we think of someone who refuses to take any risks. The business world is littered with risks that you’ll need to face from time-to-time.
If you can’t handle them, you’ll probably make the wrong decision, putting your business in considerable danger. You need to be someone that can embrace these opportunities and make educated decisions.
Massive successes like Bill Gates have taken huge risks to get to where they are today!
Respect
There comes a time when your cautious nature will result in a lack of respect from customers and business acquaintances. Customers will start to flock to the competition when they see that your business isn’t moving with the times.
Acquaintances will fail to understand why you aren’t progressing your business properly. It will create a ripple effect, ruining your reputation and limiting your future opportunities.
Desire
If you’re overly cautious, you’re doing the same things all the time. If that’s the case, how can you possibly have the desire to achieve success with this business?
Eventually, it will all start to feel dull, and without goals to work towards, there’s no reason to keep pushing yourself. The attraction of profits will only motivate you for so long.
It’s OK to be a cautious person! However, don’t be afraid to take a few calculated risks every now and again.
Stand up for yourself and your business, and set future goals you can strive towards.
Charles Emmanuel says
August 4, 2016 at 11:01 pmWow Erik!
This is great
You spoke to me directly because most times we take some decisions in fear of outcomes.
At the end we come to realize they are gold.
Thank you sir
Just shared.
Erik Emanuelli says
August 5, 2016 at 8:24 amHi Charles,
glad you enjoyed the concept here.
In other words, good things come when you are outside your comfort zone.
🙂
Alison says
August 9, 2016 at 9:36 amThis is incredible
You addressed me specifically on the grounds that most times we take a few choices in apprehension of results.
Toward the end we come to acknowledge they are gold.
Erik Emanuelli says
August 9, 2016 at 2:57 pmThank you, Alison.