A challenge can be an opportunity. While this statement seems obvious at first glance, I’ve come to realize that it’s really hard to embrace both in a personal life and in the business world. Below, I will explain why it is hard, and how to overcome the habit of unconsciously neglecting challenges.
We face many challenges of many kinds everyday. But constantly fighting them would exhaust us. Because of this, we have naturally developed a natural instinct to avoid, ignore, or forget challenges, especially harder ones. Over time, though, if we avoid all challenges (such as things that I am currently bad at), our future shrinks, and our growth stagnates.
I hear the saying of“low-hanging fruit” in business contexts, at least a few times a month. It can be translated into a thing that has a higher ROI. From an optimization point of view, harvesting low-hanging fruits makes a perfect sense. If a business entity overdoes this low-hanging fruit harvesting, it may become a problem. Imagine a business entity that has built by harvesting thousands of low-hanging fruits, but neglected any of seemingly hard challenges? It would become very commoditized. There would probably be fewer reasons, if any, that customers would particularly choose to hire the business or buy something from it.
One good strategy whether it is for yourself or for a business entity can be the following few steps:
We face many challenges of many kinds everyday. But constantly fighting them would exhaust us. Because of this, we have naturally developed a natural instinct to avoid, ignore, or forget challenges, especially harder ones. Over time, though, if we avoid all challenges (such as things that I am currently bad at), our future shrinks, and our growth stagnates.
I hear the saying of“low-hanging fruit” in business contexts, at least a few times a month. It can be translated into a thing that has a higher ROI. From an optimization point of view, harvesting low-hanging fruits makes a perfect sense. If a business entity overdoes this low-hanging fruit harvesting, it may become a problem. Imagine a business entity that has built by harvesting thousands of low-hanging fruits, but neglected any of seemingly hard challenges? It would become very commoditized. There would probably be fewer reasons, if any, that customers would particularly choose to hire the business or buy something from it.
One good strategy whether it is for yourself or for a business entity can be the following few steps:
- Step 1. Consciously realize challenges. Spotting them is a critical skill. If you cannot spot them, you don’t get to have opportunities.
- Step 2. Categorize those challenges in the list into four - you would address; 1) never, 2) someday, 3) this year, or 4) now.
- Step 3. Decide how much energy/resources you would put on one in 4). I would call it appetite.
- Step 4. Work on it. Dissect the challenge. Try finding a way to tackle them creatively. You may not be able to overcome a challenge of your pick within the appetite, but it’s okay. You would just need to move on and pick another challenge.
This way, you don’t get overwhelmed, yet, you can intentionally make progress. This sharpens the intent that allows you to take control of your personal or business growth.
The chance is, the challenges you face may also be the ones other businesses or your peers keep avoiding. That’s the nature. If you can overcome, then it may make you or your business more capable, and it can lead to an innovation. By tackling what others ignore, you open doors to new opportunities in both business and personal growth.
Next time you use or hear “low hanging fruit”, you may want to remember “A challenge can be an opportunity.”
The chance is, the challenges you face may also be the ones other businesses or your peers keep avoiding. That’s the nature. If you can overcome, then it may make you or your business more capable, and it can lead to an innovation. By tackling what others ignore, you open doors to new opportunities in both business and personal growth.
Next time you use or hear “low hanging fruit”, you may want to remember “A challenge can be an opportunity.”