Do you find yourself avoiding tasks or situations that you know you need to face?
Many years ago, I avoided dealing with a website issue. It felt too difficult and a lot of effort to sort out, plus I didn’t know where to get help.
So, I didn’t do anything for months and months and months.
What a waste of time!
It held me back from developing my business, until finally, I found someone who had the technical knowledge, and then …. it wasn’t as overwhelming as I had imagined.
If you’re running a small business, there can be so many tasks and challenges to deal with, it can lead to avoidance tendencies.
Avoidance can show up in different ways, including procrastination, making excuses, or diverting attention to other, perhaps, less important activities.
It could be avoiding – an important conversation, reviewing and tracking finances, promoting an offer, or making changes in your lifestyle.
It’s often driven by a desire to escape discomfort, fear, or anxiety.
And it’s perfectly normal.
Are you avoiding something in your life or business?
While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it holds us back from addressing problems and challenges, which could move our businesses forward.
So, here are a few things to consider if you want to overcome avoidance….
~ Make a list of anything that you are avoiding dealing with or taking action on.
~ Reflect on why you tend to avoid certain tasks or situations. Is it fear of failure, judgement, overwhelm or lack of knowledge?
~ Do some research on the task and ask for support from friends, mentors, or a coach. Is there someone who could be your accountability partner? I’ve found having someone I can confide in and update on my progress, very helpful in facing up to issues I’m avoiding.
~ Develop a plan of action for each task or situation you tend to avoid. A simple plan provides structure and reduces some of the uncertainty about the steps and action to take.
~ Practise stress management techniques to soothe anxious thoughts and to stay calm and focused. I find breath work, exercise, and meditation useful.
~ If you do experience setbacks or find yourself slipping back into avoidance, be kind to yourself. Reflect on what led to the setback, learn from it, and use it as an opportunity to make any changes and get back on track.
Developing strategies to address challenges, seeking support or guidance, and taking small steps, will overtime break any habitual avoidance tendencies and lead to better business results.
If you need help to finally address anything you are avoiding contact me here and we can arrange a time to speak.
