In the wake of major industry disruptions, many of my clients are feeling the pressure. I’ve had the privilege of working with people across various industries—real estate, network marketing, photography, and more — each facing their unique challenges. It keeps me on my toes and allows me to learn so much about different fields. But lately, things have been tough. The disruption is causing stress and making people climb metaphorical mountains they didn’t anticipate.
Real estate agents are dealing with new rules that change their financial landscape. Network marketing companies, which once provided stable revenue streams, are shutting down, leaving many high and dry. My photography clients are grappling with the rise of AI, and online business owners face ever-evolving ad restrictions. Even faith-based content creators are finding their work suppressed or censored. It’s enough to make anyone wonder how to navigate these waters. Do you fight, pivot, or start anew?
I believe there’s a strategy to navigate unforeseen changes, and today, I want to break it down.
Facing External Forces
When your business is derailed by forces beyond your control, what do you do? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself and the clients I work with. We often see industries outside of our control implode — network marketing, real estate, and more. For instance, imagine Real Estate agents adapting to major game changes and top network marketers watching their livelihoods vanish overnight. This is a reality many face.
If you’re navigating these waters, you’re likely asking: should we pivot or continue as is? I say neither. Instead, we should strategically embrace change and capitalize on new opportunities. It doesn’t have to mean failure; in fact, it can be the prelude to your next great success story.
Learning from the Fall
Some of the greatest innovations have arisen from failure. Consider Steve Jobs, who was ousted from Apple, only to return triumphantly. Or Stuart Butterfield, whose video game venture failed, leading to the creation of Slack. Each story teaches us that our response to adversity can lead to greater success.
In my own life, disruption has taught me invaluable lessons. For years, our family benefited from a successful network marketing venture. It was an impressive revenue stream, but fundamentally, we knew better than to rely solely on it. We diversified. Today, I’m not shaken by its sudden disappearance because we prepared. We diversified.
Strategies for Moving Forward
- Reassess Your Role: In network marketing or similar models, you are a contractor, not a CEO. Understand this distinction and protect yourself against becoming vulnerable.
- Diversify Income Streams: Planning for multiple revenue channels is key to withstanding industry shakeups. Think about investments, real estate, your brand, and other creative ventures.
- Strategic Leadership in Crisis: It’s easy to react hastily, but I recommend taking a pause. Consider a “visionary week” to reassess and strategize your path forward.
- Understand the Business Decisions: Often, companies make decisions based on survival. As a leader, choose to not dwell in victimhood but to learn and advance with intelligence.
- Start with the End in Mind: Map out your life and business goals, keeping your end vision at the core of your planning. This ensures you are building towards something meaningful, not just maintaining the status quo.
- Embrace Growth: Discomfort breeds growth. This moment isn’t the end; it’s the beginning.
- Invest in Yourself: Whether it’s skills, mentorship, or a community, investing in yourself can yield one of the biggest returns.
- Take Ownership: Acknowledge your role in your current situation. By taking ownership, you reclaim control and define the path forward.
Challenges are inevitable, but how we respond defines our future. For those in the network marketing or real estate trenches or any industry facing massive shifts, remember: this is a launching pad for your next big leap. Share these thoughts with anyone who needs to be reminded that an end is really just a new beginning.
Thank you for taking the time to reflect on this message. If you’re seeking clarity or strategies to face these challenges head-on, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s learn to thrive amidst the chaos, together.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. This isn’t just disruption; it’s the opportunity to redefine what comes next.
RESOURCES:
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