Are you in the groove or in a rut?

Here is how to tell the difference

When you watch a sporting event you have likely seen a player or team that has everything going for them. They don’t make mistakes and it appears they are winning with ease. If the event is broadcast over television or radio, the announcers say the individual or team is “in a groove”.

Away from sports, individuals, and businesses can have the same experience. It could be a year, month, week, day or just a single task. Everything is going their way. Being in a groove is a wonderful feeling and experience. Things are going right; goals are being met and exceeded; items on a deadline are being completed as they should or even earlier. Perhaps additional objectives are established because there is a high level of confidence. Someone might say, “We are on a roll”.

Then we have the situation that can occur in which the individual or business is “in a rut”. We are more likely to see this with an individual or business. The obvious signs of a rut can be heard; “We have always done it this way”; “That will never work” or “We will see if we get around to doing it”.

If you paint a visual picture of the groove and the rut, there would likely be a strong similarity in the two. We think of a picture of a person riding a bicycle along a dirt trail. One rider is staying in the deepest part of the trail. It is the part where many have gone before and few have ventured from.

The second rider is riding at both edges of the trail as they experiment with what works best and perhaps that which makes the ride more of an adventure. They are not taking unnecessary risks; just exploring the boundaries of what does and does not work.

What puts a person or business in a rut or allows them to be in the groove? Oddly enough there is not a direct relation between being in the groove and sales or profits. Over the years, three of the most memorable conversations this writer has had was with people who recognized their being in a rut.

Their businesses were very successful. They had no liabilities – personal or business wise. Each felt they had climbed every mountain and had nothing to strive for. Their concern was the rut would cause their business to diminish. They saw a direct and strong relationship between their business and themselves.

While we anticipate many can determine for themselves if they are in the groove or in a rut, we expect many in a rut will find a justification for what they are doing. We doubt, however, that many started or built their business by being in a rut.

Where does the rut begin to change into a groove? We know of several ways. Start by reading your trade publications and articles on business management. Put attending trade shows on your calendar and while you are there be sure to look for new product categories to add to your business. Just as you were reading articles on business management, look for the seminars in the same category.

Read business management books. You will find the time to do so by diminishing the amount of time you spend watching, reading, or listening to the news. And the books will do a lot more for you and your business.

Get active in your local Chamber of Commerce and business association. If you have a Main Street program, join it and participate.

Look around your community for six of the best run businesses. They can be product or service oriented; independent, franchise or chain. Invite the owners or managers to join you for a monthly Dutch-treat meal in which you exchange ideas of best practices.

Take a vacation away from the business; even if it is only for a couple of days. During the vacation stay off the cell phone and require your managers to do their job of running your business.

The rut and the groove can look strangely similar. However, we have to think the groove is better for your well being as well as the well being of your business and your employees.

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