Giving Business Strategies Another Chance – Lessons from a Leash-Walking Cat
Have you ever been presented with a solution and immediately thought, "I've tried that and it didn't work"? It's a common reaction, especially in business, where time and resources are precious. However, sometimes a previously unsuccessful strategy deserves another look. Let me share a story about my cat, Button, and how her unexpected behavior change led me to reconsider an old idea.
The Initial Attempt
When Button was young, I bought her a harness and leash, hoping she could enjoy some outdoor time safely. We had cats before that roamed outside freely, but we decided that it was safer to keep our current cats indoors. I don't remember what prompted me to think Button would want to go outside, but I tried. The first step was putting the harness on her. Button, however, had other ideas. She wanted nothing to do with it, and I quickly abandoned the plan to avoid getting scratched by her claws.
A New Problem Emerges
Fast forward to today, Button, now one of three cats in the house, started leaving "gifts" at the door. She wasn’t scratching or meowing to go out, just leaving these unwanted presents several mornings in a row. Initially, I blamed our oldest cat, Velcro, but soon realized it was Button. Faced with this new problem, I thought about taking her to the vet, but the potential cost and medication didn’t appeal to me.
Revisiting an Old Idea
I decided to try taking Button outside again. Without a leash, I opened the door, and she seemed to enjoy the porch. Encouraged, I dug out the old harness. To my surprise, despite some initial resistance, Button allowed me to put it on her. Later, I mentioned the behavior to my neighbor, who lent me a leash. The next morning, I put the leash on Button, and we ventured outside. We took a slow "walk-about" in the yard. She seemed content, and the behavior stopped.
What Changed?
Several factors made this attempt successful:
- Button’s Age: She was more mature and possibly had different needs.
- Patience: I was more patient and willing to take things slow.
- Adaptation: We both adapted to the new situation.
Applying This to Business
This story illustrates an important lesson: sometimes, a previously tried strategy can work under different circumstances. Here’s how you can apply this to your business:
- Evaluate Past Attempts: Understand why a strategy didn't work before. Was it the timing, the execution, or external factors?
- Consider Changes: Have any relevant factors changed? This could be market conditions, your business’s maturity, or new resources at your disposal.
- Stay Open-Minded: Approach the strategy with an open mind. Be willing to adapt and be patient with the process.
- Seek Advice: Sometimes, a fresh perspective or advice from someone else can make all the difference.
Conclusion
Button’s story reminds us that dismissing strategies because they didn't work once can mean missing out on potential success. In business, as in life, circumstances change, and so do the variables that influence outcomes. By staying open-minded and adaptable, you may find that an old strategy can work wonders in new conditions.
Christine Rothdeutsch
Stop Making Excuses and Start Thriving! My purpose in life is to help guide people just like you, coaches, consultants, and freelancers who are frustrated with all their wasted time being busy and not profitable. You can clear the chaos of self-doubt, procrastination, and disorganization and build a thriving, profitably productive business. Get started with a Breakthrough the Blocks call.