In Business, As In Life, Take Things Step by Step

At Calkins Law Firm we have been privileged to successfully help and guide business owners for decades. Over that time and while building our own business, we've learned a few things. One truth that comes up over and again is that in both business and life, progress generally comes one step at a time.

As we all know, more often than not there is no handbook for either life or business endeavors. There are guidelines and principles, but there are also plenty of exceptions to every known rule. And almost no situation goes precisely as you imagine it should. Sometimes it will seem that you've taken two steps back for every step forward. That's hard to endure, but it's a reality that often yields a life lesson, teaching each of us to learn and grow. Through trial and error we're able to glean wisdom, incorporating what we've learned in the very next step taken.

While this growth might be lifelong and can feel all too drawn out when we're in the midst of it, this is not the time to give up. It's also definitely not the time to rush through. Keeping your eyes on the prize while putting one foot ahead of the other--proceeding step by step--is the key to sustained success. That determined and persistent forward motion is a must.

Now don't get us wrong: it's great--necessary even--to be excited about a project. In fact excitement seems almost indispensable if you're going to be able to dedicate yourself, your time, and your treasure to the extent that's needed to build a thriving business. We'd just warn against getting too excited too quickly. This is a recipe for getting ahead of yourself and ultimately finding that your business becomes jeopardized in the process.

Sadly, we saw this happen to a client who signed on earlier this year. They were brimming with enthusiasm and seemed to be doubling their head count on a regular basis. But down the road just a spell they ran into cash flow problems and had to scale back, lay off, and trim their sails. The heartbreak that can accompany a setback is far worse than soldiering through and managing the tedium that comes with setting up a strong business foundation.

Of course we can only wish our client the best. That said, we can't help but shake our heads just a little--we hate to see the damage a preventable downfall can cause. That's because we're keenly aware that when a business gets ahead of itself, investing and committing resources that it doesn't have, survival of the business can quickly be called into question. It's far better to take things slow and steady, delaying spikes in growth and spending until there's a sturdy base to rely on.

We love to see clients excited about their ideas, plans, and dreams. But we will generally encourage them to proceed with caution. Putting one foot ahead of the other and watching a business grow incrementally will allow ample opportunities for trying new things, learning, changing, and growing along the way. 

Solid Business Advice and Legal Expertise from Calkins Law Firm

At Calkins Law Firm we are all about building successful businesses--that's how we've come so far. And the principles we hold to be true are what have guided our own path to growth. We know from experience that keeping energy and resources in reserve is vital, as there can be no guarantee when the return on investment is coming.

If you're in the process of building a business and you could use measured but informed advice, give the team at Calkins Law Firm a call. We know the struggle well, and we're ready to put our experience to work for you.