Survival Without Computers

Survival Without Computers 
By Kerri Salls, Mon Jan 2nd 

I was slowed down when my computer crashed and I had no data, noaddress book and not even my passwords to get back online. Ididn't think I was doing anything remarkable by bouncing back toproductivity even with this handicap for a week. But from thefeedback I've had from more than a few people, it seemsparalysis would have been the acceptable common option. 

Yes, I got slowed down, but nothing critical was lost and noappointments missed. Why? Internal reserves, resources anddrive. How do you survive in business today without yourcomputer (or maybe it's when your cell phone drops in the lakeor your Ipod gets lost)? 

There were three parts to my personal survival. They are: A. Resourcefulness -- When things don't go your way, you canhave a pity party and choose to be paralyzed. Or you can decideto dig in to your reserves and available resources to propel youforward in spite of obstacles. I start with a simple question:What's the most important thing that needs to be done now andhow do I do it (options)? 

It's a matter of choosing to get the work done and keeping yourpriorities in order, or using this problem (any problem) as anexcuse to procrastinate, or wallow in self-pity, or give up. 

B. Intestinal Fortitude -- This was my father's term for thedrive, determination, guts, stamina and the like to find a wayor make a way when you hit a roadblock. Intestinal fortitudekeeps you going because the vision is clear, your passion isunquenchable and you are a winner - and winners never quit. 

Of course when a glitch happens, what matters is how you handleit, not deny it. Handling a problem head on, gives you an actionplan. Action puts you in control. When you are in control, thefear and panic can't control you. 

If a glitch with your computer is enough to put your wholebusiness at risk, maybe you need a dose of intestinal fortitudeto make some hard decisions to reduce that risk in the future,e.g. strategic investments in your infrastructure, etc. Look atthe cost of the investment compared to the direct cost oropportunity costs of a week offline (think salaries, sales,customer loyalty, customer satisfaction, product delays, andshipping delays). 

C. Planning -- In this case, I was indeed lucky. The three daysafter the disk crash had already been blocked out to work on mythree-year vision and budget to get there and the detailed plansfor 2006. My schedule was already cleared of appointments,deadlines or correspondence. 

As business owners, we all need some reflection time to lift oursights and take a longer view of where we are going, otherwise,it's possible to short-change yourself and the business. 

The silver lining of my system crash was that without my owncomputer, I couldn't be tempted to procrastinate or avoid thesoul-searching and reflection this process requires. I was ableto really concentrate on what I want to do professionally andpersonally for the next 12-36 months. 

Putting a timeline to the vision and goals accelerates thebusiness momentum and recharges my batteries for the next 90days to set it all in motion. Try it.