What every business owner needs: Gumption and common sense
How many times in your life have you found yourself on the precipice or facing a sliding door and not knowing which step you should take?
Recently I gave a ten minute talk on "gumption". In preparation for the talk, I reflected on why I had started my business, why my life has played out as it has and why I applied for an Award and went to Sydney as a Finalist.
What is gumption?
Let’s start with what is gumption and why is it relevant to talk to you about it?
Gumption. It's not just a word, but a force, an energy. By definition, gumption refers to the shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness. But it's so much more than that. It's the inner fire that prompts us to act, to push through, to innovate, and to overcome. It's that voice inside that says, "You can," when everything outside seems to scream, "You can't."
Step out of your comfort zone
In today's everchanging business environment, business professionals need a mix of initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; It can be a game-changer and to make those changers and keep up you need to step out of your comfort zone and engage in the following:
Risk-taking & Innovation: Gumption propels us to take calculated risks. It's that daring voice that whispers, "What if?" leading to breakthroughs and innovation. It was what drove me to start a business and evolve over the past ten years, adapting to the market and times.
Your Time Matters was a mere thought in 2009, driven by managing a part time job , my ageing mother and my children needing support and transport . Something had to give. I needed more flexibility and I realised that in my mid 50’s , if I wanted to be able to create some income and keep active, I needed to do my own “thing”. I wanted to manage my time, my way.
I remember sitting at my desk, buried in a sea of 'what-ifs “ and amidst the mental chaos, there was a whisper of gumption, urging me to find another way, to take a change of course. I did. And that step led to another, and then another. Today, that journey has become a testimony to what gumption can manifest.
I registered my business in January, 2010 and for three years used my transferable skills in so many ways. I worked with business owners, seeking new office space, I organised a photography exhibition, I decluttered houses, I was a mystery shopper and continued to develop my skills, network and resourceful approach finding solutions for lifestyle and business.
Facing Challenges Head-On: When obstacles arise, gumption is the driving force that says, "I can handle this." I knew I had the resources to find a solution for anything by tapping into a trusted network. It was this awareness of the need to cultivate a network, that made me evolve into designing networking events that went beyond a set agenda and transactions. I wanted to create a space that fostered resilience, ensuring we bounce back, learn, and move forward. So YTM moved into a event platform bringing together business professionals also seeking knowledge, support, opportunities and camaraderie.
We have faced many challenges, from facilitating in person events from 2013 until 2020, and moving to online formats, the change was big but worth it. What else was there to do?
Learn, evolve and grow
Gumption is the catalyst that transforms dreams into reality. It's the drive that propels us to learn, evolve, and grow. In the face of adversity, it’s gumption that becomes our armor, turning setbacks into setups for greater things.
Advocacy & Authenticity: With gumption, professionals not only advocate for their ideas but also remain authentic to their values, building trust in the process.
Without gumption, ideas remain just that—ideas. The journey from ideation to realization is filled with challenges, doubts, and hurdles. Without gumption, we risk becoming stagnant, paralyzed by fear or indecision. It's like being trapped in a dense fog with no compass, unable to see the path ahead or find direction.
However, like any skill, gumption can be nurtured and developed. One of the most effective ways? Conversations.
🔹 Engaging in meaningful conversations with peers, mentors, and diverse professionals can ignite fresh perspectives, boost our courage, and strengthen our resolve. I have developed skills that I now pass on to support my clients and show them that conversations can move from "awkward " to "awesome" as you listening to others' stories of challenges and triumphs , reminding us that we're not alone in our journey.
🔹 Collaborating fosters an environment where gumption is not just individual but collective, driving teams and businesses to succeed together.
So, as we navigate our professional journeys, let's foster gumption within and around us. Engage in conversations, share experiences, and remember – with enough gumption, no challenge is too big.
If you have the gumption to engage yourself or your team in more conversations. let's consider the various ways that I may be able to support you and take your vision to a reality.
Hello, I am Kerryn Powell, The Network Catalyst and founder of Your Time Matters and podcast host of Conversations and connections to amplify and inspire. I am a connection strategist, conversation starter who thrives on building communities and creating the right connections for those seeking strategic allies to make a positive impact through connection, contribution and community.
I draw on my diverse career portfolio, experience, skills and knowledge to encourage, support and empower business owners, professionals, teams and individuals to create true connection through authentic conversations that build real relationships, boost confidence and generate business and opportunities.
Since 2013, I have provided opportunity for more than 3000 business owners to engage in real life and online events through her business, Your Time Matters. BOOK a discovery call TODAY, and let’s have a conversation to see how I can help you .