Business Lessons from a Solo Trip: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Conditions

As my Upper Peninsula trip got closer, I kept checking the weather forecast. The forecast for my vacation week was mostly cold and rainy. I could have rescheduled. But I’ve learned that waiting for “sunny skies,” both literally and in business, means you might wait forever. I packed the right gear and went anyway. And you know what? The UP was stunning in the moody weather. The trails were quieter, and the forests felt more profound.

Are you waiting for the “perfect” economic climate to launch a new offering? The truth is there’s always a reason to wait. Success isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about being prepared to adapt and finding the opportunity within them.

Apply it:

• Create a “bad weather” plan: what you cut, what you keep, and what you double down on if revenue dips 15 percent.
• Keep 3 months of core operating expenses in cash or near-cash equivalents.
• Prewrite client messaging for delays, scope changes, and timeline resets.

In business, you will always face conditions you can’t control. The key is preparing for possible setbacks, showing up, moving forward, and making the most of what’s in front of you. Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I’ll dive into why prioritizing your work over distractions and unnecessary input can transform the way you operate.