Before we get to the 5 simple ways to work through the mental change let’s look at an example of how mental changes or growth require process.
Teaching your kids kindness
A friend of mine once commented she would like to be able to add “kindness” to a list of traits she could teach her young children. She would like to be able to jot “Teach Kindness” on the list, teach the kindness trait, then check it off.
If you have young children, or if you’ve simply been exposed to the darling little monsters, you probably already know teaching “kindness” is a long-term endeavor. Heck, sometimes as adults we find we must pick up where our parents left off, teaching ourselves to be kind, reminding ourselves of the merits of kindness. Somewhere along the way we find the teaching of kindness is a process.
Scaling your construction contracting or service business
Turns out, scaling your business is also a process – it isn’t something you can put on a checklist and then check off after it is completed. It isn’t a destination you can point to on a map.
Yet, scaling requires a purpose and a vision. As a matter of fact, in order to scale your construction contracting business, you must develop a scaling frame of mind. You’ll need to make the mental change from being a tradesman, to being a business owner, then to being a business owner whose business is profitably scaling.
5 simple things to practice through the process of becoming a scaling contractor.
Set an example of trustworthiness for your employees and crew. Integrity – it goes a long way.
Be flexible, very flexible – except when it comes to your core values.
When new ideas, solutions, or concepts come your way practice thinking “maybe” rather than jumping directly to “no.”
Begin instilling your “company culture” into your own thought processes as well as those of your employees. “Company culture” is how you pass on the “values” of your construction contracting business.
Get in the habit of surrounding yourself with other successful and goal-oriented people. For example, join your trade association, hire great people, and select your service vendors well.
When you develop a scaling frame of mind you move beyond the bounds of your craft to the realm of successful business owner.