Escaping the clutches of stagnation can be a daunting task if you fail to take decisive action. As a business coach, a big part of my role is to empower business leaders and their teams to overcome stagnant circumstances.

Every business encounters its fair share of ups and downs, which is an inherent part of the journey. However, there are occasions when the downward spiral persists or worsens, leading to a state of inertia.

Let's explore five telltale signs that may indicate you are stuck. Can you relate to any of these?

Lack of Motivation:

Are you witnessing a decline in enthusiasm, drive, or passion for your work? Do you find it arduous to initiate tasks or sustain motivation?

Persistent Frustration:

Has frustration, irritability, or discontentment become a regular companion? Do you often find yourself venting and complaining?

Feeling Stagnant:

Are you unable to make headway towards your goals? Do you feel trapped in a monotonous routine, stifling your creative thinking?

Procrastination and/or Avoidance:

Do you frequently postpone tasks or even evade them altogether? Does the workload overwhelm you?

Lack of Clarity in Direction:

Do you grapple with indecision or uncertainty regarding your purpose, goals, or the path you wish to pursue? Are you unsure about the next steps to take?

If left unaddressed, a state of stagnation can persist for an extended period. However, here's the good news: there exists a simple equation that can ignite change and surmount resistance.

The formula is as follows: (D x V x F > R)

Initially proposed by Richard Beckhard and David Gleicher, and later refined by Kathie Dannemiller, this model suggests that the combined force of dissatisfaction with the present, vision for the future, and the clarity around immediate action must surpass the resistance being experienced in order to bring about significant change.

When the "weight" of (D x V) + FS exceeds the "weight" of resistance, we become unstoppable as business leaders.

Now, let's delve into the formula.

Essentially, there are four crucial components that business owners must address.

Dissatisfaction (D):

First and foremost, it is vital to acknowledge discontentment about a specific aspect of your present situation. This dissatisfaction could stem from people-related issues (such as employee retention or workflow challenges), financial concerns (such as lower-than-expected profit margins), or even personal matters.

This serves as the motivational factor or the "why" in the formula and 'pushes' us to change.

To make this component effective, it is essential to delve deep into your problems, fears, and frustrations. How severe is the pain? What are the costs associated with these issues? The greater your dissatisfaction, the more driven you will be to initiate change.

Vision (V):

Take a moment to envision the best version of yourself and your business. Close your eyes and visualise. This represents the "what" factor in the formula—the desired future state. Invest time in connecting with your genuine desires and motivations. How will your life improve? What future vision is so compelling that you are willing to go to great lengths to make it a reality? The contrast between your current situation and the potential after implementing change can generate enthusiasm that replaces fear and dissatisfaction.

This 'pulls' as to change.

First Steps (FS):

Even if you experience high levels of dissatisfaction and possess a clear vision for the future, nothing will materialise until you take action. What steps do you need to take to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be? The key to this step is to start with small actions. You don't need a fully developed plan; just as you don't need all of the traffic lights to turn green before you leave your house every morning.

You simply need to identify the initial first/next step and then take action.

Resistance:

The final piece of the Change Formula puzzle is resistance. Change demands that you courageously step outside your comfort zone and confront challenges head-on. This is when resistance surfaces. If the resistance you face outweighs your dissatisfaction, vision, and first steps, you will remain stuck.

Resistance often presents itself as thoughts like "I'm not ready yet" or "This isn't the right time" or even "Maybe I'll take action in the future."

Overcome resistance by posing critical questions: Why isn't now the right time? When will be the right time?

If you had taken action three months ago, would today be better?

If you continue doing what you've always done, what do you think will change in the next three months?

If your current approach hasn't yielded the desired results, it may be time to reassess.

It might be beneficial to collaborate with a business coach.

The inertia resulting from an inability to change, grow, and evolve can be devastating for small business owners. It hampers progress, restrains aspirations, and prevents seizing opportunities as they arise.

If you have been experiencing a sense of stagnation recently or are unsure about your next steps, consider seeking guidance and personalised support. I extend a complimentary 15-minute consultation call, and I would be delighted to hear from you!

Please schedule your consultation call here.