So, you have gone through the hard stage of getting things going (loads of action, very few results), and you moved into the flood stage of business (more and more and more results coming faster and faster). Last time we talked about managing the flood stage by both keeping the actions going in the background, and adding the appropriate management structures to maintain and stabilize the growth.
What’s next? Well, if you did a good job managing your growth, you could move into a very stable stage in your business. The flood stage isn’t stable – it a very dynamic. But if you can ride out the flood, you can move into a place of steady, predictable results.
Like the other stages the preceded this one, there are specific actions and behaviors that area essential here.
At this point, how to produce the result is very clear. Everything needed is present. The structure of the project’s fulfillment is fully understood, and when an expected result isn’t produced what’s been changed or overlooked is easily identified. The accountabilities are clear and the measures and statistics for the project are also clear.
The biggest pitfall to this stage is boredom. There is no drama, and for some, no excitement. Predictability can be boring when you are coming off the high of managing the flood of new business. If you don’t know that you must be responsible for the boredom, then you could easily find your results falling off or disappearing altogether.
The upside to having the results be so predictable, is if you want to increase your results, you know what actions to increase. There is no more mystery. At this stage – the outcome is more fully in your own hands than at any other stage.
Don’t let boredom rob you of your hard earned and well deserved success!
Because, really, without a life, what’s the point?
Time Triage / Organizing For Your Life 
Interesting post. I guess that I am blessed to offer services that allow me to work with fascinating people. So, each project is fresh and new and boredom has never been an issue. I cannot honestly imagine a world where boredom comes into play (work or personal).
Perhaps if this is happening for people you can offer some tips to snap out of boredom and appreciate the normal routine or spice it up?
Write on!~
Lisa
Lisa,
Great point. I don’t think boredom is bad – but if you are used to excitement it can be a real problem! The road to mastery involves learning to love to take the actions – over and over and over and over – and that road also leads to success.
Terry
It’s interesting, your comment about boredom at the “maintenance” stage….entrepreneurs are often exactly that once things are up and running. There’s a gift in maintenance, though….time to think of ways to add and expand, or a decision to ride the wave and take the goodies for a while….and both work!
Sue Painter
Exactly, Sue. I never said boredom was bad. I just suggest you be ready for it. When you are hooked on the excitement of uncertainty, the boredom of stability can be devastating. But the blessing of stability is you know exactly what you have to do, and if and when you want to increase your results, you know exactly what actions to take.
I enjoy your comparison to the stages of a flood.
Thanks for sharing your insight.
I am blessed that I NEVER find life boring. Boredom is an interesting emotion. I find it to be the fulcrum between the “good feeling” places and the “bad feeling” places. If you are moving up, boredom can actually be a very powerful place because all the goodies are within reach. If you are moving down the emotional scale, then it is a good warning signal to catch before descending into the feelings that indicate things are really off track. Reach for the juice & excitement, and as you say “Because, really, without a life, what’s the point?” -:¦:- ♥ -:¦:- K.
Katherine, as usual, you hit the nail on the head. There is no one state that is better than another, it is just really useful to know, recognize and acknowledge the state you are in. Operating from where you are is always far more powerful than wishing you were somewhere else!
Enjoyed your article and have found it very true in my own journey. I have lived the “chaos before the calm” many times and prefer the balance. Consciously, in the moment works best for me.
Anita
And it takes a lot of practice to live, consciously, in the moment.
Thanks
Terry — great visual with the flood stages. I think that many entrepreneurs are hard-wired to be drawn to the hard, “pre-flood” stage. There is excitement, drama, and a clear purpose for every day. And when the floods come, that kind of entrepreneur might lose that energy that came with the “draught” stage. I am with Lisa that my career has always kept a huge amount of variety in my days, but the monotony of any kind of routine has always been hard for me. I love having every day be different (which is often an entrepreneur’s experience, thankfully). Thanks for raising the issue and reminding me to stay the course, and to get my paddle out! 🙂
Jessica
Jessica,
at least, remember to pack the paddle!
Terry
I know just what you are saying Terry. I’ve been there a few times over the lives of my different businesses over the years. I think entrepreneurs are just born with that inner ‘clock’ that makes stability seem like boredom. I enjoy the stability for a while and then simply have to create something more in the business. And I like that.
Something like doing renos in your home and swearing you will NEVER do it again. A couple of years or so down the road what are you doing? Renos!
Thanks for this post
Lynn
Lynn,
Yes it is exactly like that!
Terry
there really are seasons to everything, including entrepreneurship.
when we accept the seasons and let ourselves embrace where we are things can flow
Laura,
I love that you put it in terms of seasons. That is such a great way to look at it!
What a great discussion this is!
I certainly find myself yearning for re-invention every 5-7 years as I achieve a mastery stage around a certain set of skills. It’s not boredom, per se, but more of reaching equilibrium where tasks that used to be challenges become mundane and the mind/spirit starts seeking out new challenges…
I like to believe it is tied more to a “you stop, you die” outlook than getting bored ;-)!
Phil
Phil –
Exactly! When what used to be challenging becomes mundane and routine – that is when we need to watch out. If we aren’t careful, we could throw in some sabotage just to create more challenges.
I also like the ‘you stop, you die’ outlook!
I’m with Jessica, Lisa and Katherine – life is always interesting and never boring and I love it this way. BUT a good reminder should the day come when I need this…
I find life to be interesting as well – and yet, at times it is only interesting because I say so…
This is an interesting point. One that I never thought about before because I couldn’t imagine ever being bored with my business. Thank you for brining up this issue so that I am now aware because I never want it to happen to me.
Awareness makes all the difference!