Are you ready to grow your business? It’s easy like 1-2-3

“Perfection of effort is not required, by the way. It is the consistency of attempting to work these tools that brings the progress. It’s like anything else. If I want to tone muscle, lifting a ten-pound weight a few times every day will move me toward my goal much quicker than hoisting a fifty-pound barbell once a week. Yes, it really is true: “Slow and steady wins the race.” Just try a little, every day. You’ll see.” 
― Holly Mosier

I had a trying weekend and needed to rest just little longer, then I heard rain drops crashing on the roof top. This was a rude call to reality for me, it was a Monday and it was raining. I needed to be at the office as soon as possible, as the owner of an SME I had traded off the fab life of sick days and calling in late for the grandeur life of ‘entrepreneurship’.https://sheleadsafrica.org/7-entrepreneurial-myths/

By default I am accountable to my clients for the most part, that meant a hasty shower and drive through the flooded roads leading to my early learning center. I arrived there at 6am, wet and still wanting to be under the duvet.

I forced myself down the car engrossed in my thoughts of the excuses, that would come flooding in from my team and a tiny bit of consideration on the hurdles that they may cross on their way here. I have heard all kinds of stories from genuine ones to the kind that makes you wonder if you were watching a movie.

Notwithstanding I was going to give it to anyone that would come in late, I find people to be very lazy and nonchalant when it came to showing up in difficult situations. This had been my struggle with my team, over time I had a feeling I wasn’t getting a good end of the bargain. Here I was trying to support people with jobs and yet, I had to put in all of the effort and hard work. My business was not growing at the rate at which I wanted because people skipped work and asked for excuses. It was almost always an emergency.

The red gate shone with the flash of lightning, I paused for a moment before opening the door. To my surprise I heard voices, I was dumbstruck! Unimaginable three members of the team were already there at 6 am in horrible stormy weather.

I could not hide my excitement as I hugged them each telling them how proud I was of the fact that, they made a way through the storm. Then one answered confidently, she said but you taught us this. You taught us to value our jobs and not to look for excuses. I had finally gotten them to understand this lesson and now it seemed as easy like 1-2-3.

Akiroq Brost tells us that success is built in love, passion, and enthusiasm. It is brought to fruition through consistency, routine, and good habits.

I am still in the journey of perfecting my craft and you might be too. Stay grounded in:

• Consistency
• Routine
• Good Habits

Happy growing!

Ariana Oluwole

Ariana Oluwole is an executive coach, holistic educator, and Multipotentialite Entrepreneur. Her flagship coaching program ‘Live and Lead Your Best Life’ provides holistic strategies for Africans, the diaspora, and professionals navigating multiple cultures and teams. When she is not Empowering People, Teams & Systems to Thrive.  Queen A can be found speaking to plants with a nice cup of tea.