Adversity

Why This Question Matters

By Paul E. Casey

Are you able to keep going when things go bad, not just in business, but in your personal life as well? Do you have the emotional capacity to handle a personal trauma and run a business at the same time?

In one period of about four years, I lost both of my parents and a brother. At times, it was hard for me to stay focused and keep my business going through all of this adversity, but somehow I made it through. Unfortunately, this is one of those personality traits that you can’t really measure until it happens to you.

If you have been through an emotional crisis before, and you were able to find the strength to keep going in the face of adversity, it will be an advantage to your business if and when another such crisis hits. If you tend to become unraveled for an extended period of time during an emotional crisis, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go into business for yourself. But you should be aware of your own emotional limitations and how they can affect your business.

Bottom Line: Your ability to handle emotional challenges will be a factor in sustaining your business. Your prospects for success will be much higher if you can endure during times of difficulty.

Click here to find out more about available resources on successfully sustaining your small business.

If you tend to become unraveled for an extended period of time during an emotional crisis, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go into business for yourself.