TMS #062: Unplanned Responsibilities

Turning Surprises into Strengths

MS

Read time: 4 minutes

Hey there, and welcome to your entrepreneurial journey. You're not just building a business. You're creating a movement. Sounds inspiring, right?

I want you to picture this: It's a chilly evening in Einbeck, Germany, and my band is set to perform at the local "Eulenfest" festival yesterday.

In the program, our starting time is marked as 8 PM, but guess what? The other band was still wrapping up at 8 PM. Talk about a surprise of timing! It is just like those times when you get a super important task for your business when you're already really busy.

Embrace the Unexpected

Let me be straightforward here. Unplanned tasks can knock the wind out of your sails. They can make your heart race. They can make you sweat. But, hang on. As entrepreneurs, we need to learn an important fact. Mix-ups, hiccups and doozies will always be part of our journey. Just think about it. Isn’t it worth the effort to adapt and overcome?

Let’s talk about those times when you suddenly discover a flaw in your product. Or when a critical team member decides to quit unexpectedly. Or when a game-changing idea pops into your mind in the middle of the night. What do these situations have in common? They're surprises that demand immediate attention.

Now, how do we approach these "pop-up" tasks?

  1. Firstly, Stay Calm: When the pressure is on, it's easy to let stress take control. But remember, a clear mind is a problem-solving mind. Take a deep breath and face it head-on.

  2. Then, Develop a Plan: Instead of approaching the situation without a plan, map out a strategy. What needs to be done? Who can help? Where do you start? Ask these questions.

  3. Lastly, Take Action: Don't let fear of the unknown hinder you. Dive in, make the necessary changes, learn in the process.

On that crisp evening in Einbeck, my band and I had the crowd waiting. But we didn't let the stress get to us. We took action. We coordinated our efforts to get ready for our performance in record time.

Similarly, surprise tasks in your business may seem overwhelming at first. But they're opportunities for growth, hidden in unexpected packages. So, seize them. Embrace the surprise, and let it propel you to new heights. It's a vital element in our entrepreneurship journey.

In the same vein, that night at the Eulenfest, we found ourselves missing a sound technician. But did that dampen our spirits? No. Instead, I had to change roles from drummer to sound engineer. And I can tell you that this was an unexpected, challenging, but rewarding experience.

While playing drums, I got to work with one hand on the volume settings for the sound outside and the monitoring for my band members. I didn't think I could handle it, but it worked out. The adrenaline helps you keeping your concentration high when it counts.

Building Skills Out of Chaos

Yesterday night was dramatic, yes, but it was also full of lessons. And two of those lessons are as clear as a crystal bell. They shine and resonate with every entrepreneur out there.

Lesson One: Become a Jack of All Trades

The concert night tossed a crash course in multi-tasking my way. I'd never worked on mixer settings while playing drums before. I mean, I'm a drummer and already have enough multi-tasking with the coordination of feet and arms.! But guess what? I embraced the challenge. Sometimes, life hands you lemons, right? So, make lemonade!

In a nutshell, here's what we can learn from twisting those sound knobs on the fly:

  • Innovation:

    • When we step out of our comfort zone, we learn to innovate. It might feel awkward at first. But soon, it sets in. You learn to think on your feet. You find creative solutions.

  • Grit:

    • Grit comes from facing tough situations head-on. When you persevere, you build strength. You become capable of weathering future storms.

  • Versatility:

    • That's right! When you learn to do more than one thing, you become versatile. It's like adding another tool to your toolbox. And in today's unpredictable business world, versatility is key.

Some businesses have grown from small teams who shed their roles and wore new hats when needed. They remind us of a truth. Embrace change. Be curious. Encourage learning. You never know when that "on the fly" skill might just save your venture.

Lesson Two: Speed Doesn't Sacrifice Quality

At our gig, we faced a tight timeline. The crowd wanted us on stage. We had to get ready. And yes, we had to do it fast! But did that mean we compromised the sound quality? No way!

The key takeaway here is about balancing speed and quality:

  • Balance Is Key:

    • When you're in a rush, you might forget about quality. But set the balance. You can be quick without being hasty. You can deliver without compromise. The balance is there, find it!

  • Focus on Decision-Making:

    • In business, every second count. Speed is crucial. But decisions must be rational.

    • Think, decide and act. And remember that every choice has a consequence.

  • Efficiency Matters:

    • In the hustle and bustle, don't forget about efficiency.

    • Aim to do more in less time. But always keep the quality intact. In business, this skill will differentiate you from the crowd.

That night, our audience danced happily. They didn't know about the backstage drama. Why? Because they were enjoying the high-quality performance we delivered. And guess what, they asked for more!

This is the lesson for all entrepreneurs out there. Deliver excellent service or product, despite the hurdles. It's not just about getting your job done. It's also about delighting your customers. That's the center stage of any successful business. Choreograph your steps, and strike a balance, even when the spotlight is hot!

Conclusion

So, my entrepreneurial friends, when the unplanned tasks pop up (and trust me, they will), just remember the Eulenfest night. Every surprise is a chance to improve your skills and grow your business.

Yes, running a business comes with a fair share of surprises. But hey, what's a rollercoaster ride without a bit of thrill? Right? Good luck out there. Your worldwide cheering crowd is waiting for you!

Keep Evolving,

Christian Founder - Mindtutorial
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TL;DR

Unplanned Responsibilities

  1. Embrace Unexpected Challenges: Treat unexpected situations as opportunities for growth, not hindrances.

  2. Stay Calm Under Pressure: A clear mind leads to effective problem-solving.

  3. Develop a Strategy: Before diving into a problem, map out your approach.

  4. Take Immediate Action: Don't let fear paralyze you; act, learn, and adjust.

  5. Become Versatile: Learn multiple skills; versatility is crucial in unpredictable environments.

  6. Balance Speed & Quality: Be efficient without compromising the outcome's integrity.

  7. Prioritize Customer Satisfaction: Beyond just completing tasks, aim to delight and exceed customer expectations.

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