While there’s no question that the last several months have been very difficult for those in the custom home market, the new year provides an opportunity to start fresh.
Understandably, many builders had reason to be cautious in 2008, but now is not the time to keep your head in the sand. Now is the time to get organized about what you want to accomplish, how you are going to do it, and who you are going to ask for help. It’s called choosing to be responsible … choosing to be accountable … choosing your direction instead of being a victim of the winds of change.
Frankly, in the current economic climate, playing the part of victim is pretty easy to do. There’s been a lot of suffering due to the actions, inaction, and choices that others have made. Self-pity doesn’t pay the bills, however. Create a plan for riding out the market and being poised to pounce when it bounces back (and it will bounce back).
Second, get clear about what you want to accomplish during the next 12 months. If you aren’t clear about what is and isn’t important to you, the ups and downs of the market are going to continue to take you for a ride. Focus on what you want and don’t waiver.
Third, create a written plan that gets you to where you want to go. Your plan has to be in writing, because your brain is responsible for too many other things. Don’t make it a storage unit for your plan too. Write down the actions you’re going to take in order to go from where you are to where you want to end up on Dec. 31, 2009, and don’t be afraid to step out of the box when you need to.
Fourth, keep your plan visible and active. Refer to it weekly, if not daily; know where you’re going and what steps you’re going to take. This will keep you present enough to know when circumstances require that your plan be tweaked in order to stay on course toward the ultimate goal.
Fifth, ask for help. As we all know, life can throw some pretty phenomenal obstacles our way. The last year is proof of that! So select a team of people—staffers, friends, family members—to hold you accountable for getting through those tough times. They should encourage you to play full out, even when you don’t want to or don’t know how.
A word of caution: Don’t build your accountability team with a bunch of “yes” people. Tough times require a tough team. You need people who are willing to tell you what they see, even when what they see isn’t pleasant to hear.
Remember that what really matters is making your plan a reality. Yes, your goals may be tempered by the circumstances around you, and they should be. They need to be realistic or you will set yourself up for failure, but don’t retreat or sell yourself and your team short.
Opportunities in the residential home building market are out there, and it is up to you to get in front of them, sell yourself, make wise choices, and be responsible for the results you create along the way.
—Former contractor Clay S. Nelson is a radio talk show host, speaker, and business coach to home builders nationwide. He can be reached at clay@claynelson lifebalance.com.
