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Opinion: How to feel grateful when business, life seem to fall apart

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You do all the right things. You have a solid business plan, a marketing plan utilizing all types of social media, networking and advertising. Your expenses and inventory are under control. Your income increases year by year with a forecast for continued growth.

Then the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing you to close your business or diverting your customer’s attention to the point that the last thing on their mind is your product.

Socially distanced from your colleagues and professional networks, you feel frustrated in your isolation.

Conversations with your creditors, the bank, SCORE, government programs or others offering financial and business assistance helps to keep your business afloat. These are viable entities designed to support the health of your business, but what about your emotional and psychological health?

How do you cope with all the stress, worries and concerns about your future? How tragic it would be if you survive the financial issues, but your attitude goes sour. If your outlook dives, your business could follow.

Staying positive is the key to succeeding. Your customers look to you for appreciation, encouragement and positivity. As businesses are allowed to reopen, customers may be slow to return.

However, we must remain optimistic and upbeat. How can you convey gratitude and positivity to others during a time of uncertainty?

Consider the things you can do. All of the following apply to your customers, colleagues and business associates. Whether you work with others or alone, you can utilize these suggestions in any scenario.

•You can call your customers, colleagues or associates to check on their well-being. The call is a friendly, “How are you doing?” It’s not a sales call.

•Think about the changes you can make in your business that will make others feel more safe and secure. You can share these thoughts and ask them for suggestions on changes you could make. If you own a salon, spa or other business that requires close contact with customers, offer free masks and hand sanitizer.

•Ask them if there is anything you can do to help them during this time.

•Call them by name as you let them know you appreciate them and look forward to seeing them soon. Telling Julie you appreciate her is different from mentioning to her you appreciate her business.

•Following up the call with a note is especially effective with customers. If they made suggestions, let them know how you are implementing the changes or why you cannot.

•Look for articles that might be of interest and send them an email with a link to the YouTube video or post.

•As you look through your customer emails and files, note the items or services they have used in the past. When you reopen, call or send a card reminding them about the availability of the product or service.

•Perusing your customer and professional membership list or business card collection is an excellent way to remind yourself of the positivity these individuals bring into your life and your business. It is also an opportunity to reflect on each one with positivity and gratitude.

•Note by each name why you are grateful for them. Writing it down is more impactful than merely thinking about, although both are valuable exercises that increase feelings of gratitude and positivity. Take it a step further and send them a note, email or text, letting them know what it is you appreciate about them.

Using this time to focus on your network of customers, colleagues or professional associates helps you to focus on the future and others instead of yourself and the current problems in the world. Reaching out to others with kindness and sensitivity cultivates deeper relationships with your customers, your co-workers and your network of professional friends. Each group offers a great support system that can increase feelings of gratefulness that will help your business succeed.

LaDonna Greiner is the author of the “21 Reasons to Say Thank You” series, a photographer and a motivational speaker with a focus on gratitude. She serves as national immediate past chair of the Association of Women in Communication. She can be reached at ladonna.g@21reasons.life.

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