For business owners, the last couple of years have felt like riding a rollercoaster designed by someone with a wicked sense of humor. First, the highs: pandemic shopping frenzies, booming online audiences, and viral success stories. Then, the lows: supply chain disasters, skyrocketing ad costs, and the dreaded return of out of stock.

And here we are again, staring down another year of “What now?”

Now, while we’re ringing in the New Year, we’ve got yet another curveball: the pandemic keeps evolving, people are still quiet quitting, and the workforce is in full rebellion against commutes and cubicles. Feeling a little shaky? You’re not alone—everyone from corporate execs to small business owners seems to have a case of the “What do we do next?”

Here’s what I’m doing: leaning into change and channeling nervous energy into excitement.

The Power of Emotional Agility

📚 Over the holidays, I revisited a book that rocked my world a few years ago: Emotional Agility by Susan David. Her key takeaway? Ignoring how you feel about challenges (or failures) is like slapping duct tape over a leaky pipe—it’s coming back to haunt you, probably at the worst time.

Entrepreneurs, listen up: you’re not a robot. When the funnel doesn’t convert, the ads flop, or customers ghost, it’s natural to blame yourself. But if you shove those feelings down, they’ll sneak back in, like the chocolate cake you’re not supposed to think about on a diet.

Here’s the thing: your emotions are data. If you tune in instead of tuning out, you’ll discover insights that can help you grow.

Anxiety vs. Excitement

Standing on the glass floor of Chicago’s Skydeck (yes, it’s still Sears Tower to me) is a good metaphor for entrepreneurship: terrifying at first, but exhilarating when you embrace it. If you’ve got butterflies about launching your business, try reframing that anxiety as excitement—it’s a small mindset shift with a huge impact.

🎥 Click here to watch the full VLOG on YouTube

Ready for Your Business Litmus Test?

If you’re wondering, “Will my business idea actually work?” I’ve got just the thing for you: the ASSESS MY BIZ™ Assessment and Workshop. (updated info 2024)

✨ Join the waitlist for my workshop, Assess My Biz for Entrepreneurs.
We’ll dive into a 36-point Business Viability Assessment to help you discover exactly what you need to start or scale your business into the profitable venture you’ve been dreaming about.

💡 Want to skip the wait?
Take the assessment now and book a 1:1 call with me to strategize your next moves: https://susankrautbauer.com/biz-assessment.

Your second chance is calling—are you ready to answer?