WOW #012: Sick Days: What's Your Contingency Plan?

Quote of the Week:
“There is one consolation in being sick, and that is the possibility that you may recover to a better state than you were ever in before."
- Henry David Thoreau

I came down with a cold last week.

When I succumb to a cold or get sidelined by an illness, I always feel as if it directly coincides with important projects that demand my most "dialed-in" self in order to complete.

Of course, those same projects existed in the days prior (when I was perfectly healthy), but it all feels very different when you're sick.

This, my friends, is the general frustration that comes with being sick when you own a one-person business or small business:

• Not knowing exactly how long you'll be out...or how soon until you're capable of working effectively again
• Not being able to make progress on deadlines that don't care if you're hopped up on 30 milligrams of DayQuil
• Not having a good plan or contingency before stumbling into a sick day...let's face it, it's inevitable.

It will happen.

We'll get back to that in a bit.

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The Red Pill or the Blue Pill

Getting sick isn't one of those Matrix Red Pill - Blue Pill moments that Morpheus made famous. If you don't recall, it's when Neo, (played by Keanu Reeves) has to choose between the Red Pill (a potential life- changing truth), or the Blue Pill (ordinary reality).

It's all Blue Pill. You don't feel well. It's temporary. It will pass, and you have to let it pass in order to prevent further damage. Possession is 9/10ths of the law. Own it. Acknowledge what's possible and what isn't. Recover and Rest. Let it pass.

The Red Pill represents a potential business-altering maxim that could be the escape hatch to solving urgent challenges. A romanticized version of outworking the shell of the state you're in and whatever ails you. Completing the hero's journey and winning.

Take the Blue Pill. Just Do What You Can on Sick Days.

Ordinary days for OPBs will translate into customer wins, sales calls that went sideways, beating project deadlines, and yes...Getting a cold.

Of course, there is no Red Pill for one-person businesses. You (for the most part), are by yourself. Reaping all the praise on good days, and shouldering most of the blame on bad ones. 

For any business owner, there's a fine line between Bravery and Bravado:

Bravery is believing your systems and programs are well thought out, comprehensive, and accountable.

Bravado is thinking you can outwork feeling compromised and not cause more potential problems.

3 Takeaways:

1. Play Defense when you're under the weather. Marketing, Sales, Product Management, Conf Calls (phone or virtual), are mostly "Offense oriented." Our hyper-connected world of barrier- breaking technology has made it easier and more acceptable for anyone to work until the wheels come off. AI. Cloud. Mobile Share drives. Transcription. VAs. Now is the time to Play Defense with technology and automation. Automated tools solve responses, future receivables (and payables). Play the more "Defense oriented" activities such as Finance and Operations.
   
   
2. Delete the Energy Takers and Upload the Energy Givers. When you're sick or run-down (or feeling on the precipice), you have to manage the energy takers and givers. Some key Energy Takers to dial down when you're ill: Overworking. Unrealistic Goals. Desk Clutter. Social Media. Junk Food. Dehydration. Sitting in Frustration. Overthinking. AND, some Energy Givers to focus on in your compromised state: Prayer and Meditation. Self-Care. Mindfulness. Affirmations. Deep Breaths. Water. Rest. Music. Fresh Air.
   
   
3. Today's Whisper, Tomorrow's Roar. You are quiet, less talkative, and unengaging on sick days. Who isn't? It's a great reminder to take advantage of the times when you're most motivated, healthy, and energized. These are the days when you Roar. If you haven't already, on one of these days -- build a contingency shared drive for your most valued Clients with scenario assessments. (If A occurs, go here and do this, if B occurs, call X and send to Y). Every business is different so I can't cover specifics, but you get the picture. Filter it by telling yourself, "I'll probably never have to send this, but in the rare case I do, I have crucial scenarios covered in this folder for my most important customers." 

1 Action:
Spend an hour of time in Deep Focus this week thinking about your current contingency plan. Document your responses to these 3 questions:

1. Can my contingency plan be covered by myself alone, an existing business partner, virtual assistant, or reliable emergency contact?
2. Does my contingency plan require additional funds or working capital in order to implement?
3. How much additional time and resources are required in order to satisfy the conditions of my current plan? 
 
Be well. Until next time,
Hubert