How to survive tough times  in business without losing your mojo.

I have lost count of the times in the past week someone asked “How are you?” and actually listened to the answer.

The past few weeks have thrown me some hurdles . Seriously high jumps - the Winter Olympians in Korea would be proud of.

So it got me to thinking of other small business owners I know and the challenges that they face and how I could help them not suffer as I have done.

Here are my top 5 advice strategies when you face challenges and hardship in your business

1. Discover your allies - when I dropped my bundle - there was a coterie of people to pick me up, hold me, listen to me whinge and tell me to ‘do what I do = just better”. Never underestimate who is in your corner . People are humans and most will hear the human side of your story.
2. Protect against your enemies - not everyone is your friend - particularly in business - do not fall for this! People will lie cheat and steal to compete with you - your challenge is to see friend from foe - to see that some see you as a commodity rather than a friend.
3. Celebrate the wins - however small - when life serves you lemons - try try try to make lemonade - try to see any positive no matter how small to propel you forward
4. Commiserate the loss - its ok to cry, throw a tanty or yell - just expel the negative energy somehow - my favourite is to run - long far and uphill. Choose your poison and do it.
5. Look up to see the rainbows - think about the positives that come from weakness, fear and change and try to see the greater good.

Most of all understand that you started a business because you saw an opportunity, you had a skill, you developed a product - believe in yourself and the rest will come!