What if it works?
Being a business owner is not for the faint of heart. When it comes to inner peace, there are a lot of “what ifs” that can steal it from you.
Let me explain what I mean.
This week, I was talking with a good friend named Randy who owns a company in Ellijay that is in a major growth phase. He started with a handyman business, taking on all kinds of odd jobs. Randy is very knowledgeable in many aspects of home repair and even holds an HVAC license.
Over time, his business evolved to include landscaping. Today, he and his crew handle everything from basic lawn maintenance to larger projects like sod installation, retaining walls, bush hogging and grading.
Like many entrepreneurs, Randy is a dreamer.
In the book Traction, Gino Wickman describes this personality type as the “Visionary.” Visionaries are the ones who look ahead, generate big ideas and determine the direction of the company. They are often charismatic, generous and driven to bring others along with them.
And because of those traits, people want to follow them.
Randy, being the visionary he is, is always looking for new opportunities, new niches and new ways to grow. I’m proud to say one of those paths has included becoming a real estate investor and landlord.
More recently, he has stepped into the septic business as well.
On a recent call, Randy told me about a large account he was pursuing in this new venture. He explained that his team had poured significant time and effort into landing it. If it worked out, the business could take off in a big way.
But Randy did something many entrepreneurs tend to avoid doing out loud. He voiced some of his worries.
You see, visionaries tend to be risk-takers. They understand that growth rarely happens inside the comfort zone. But being willing to take risks doesn’t mean you don’t feel the pressure that comes with them.
As Randy talked, I could hear it in his voice.
The “what ifs” had started creeping in.
What if this doesn’t work?
What if they turn us down?
What if I fail and have to let people go?
If you have ever been in this position, you know how that goes.
I know I do. I’ve had those same thoughts many times.
In fact, just two nights before that call, I had a hard time sleeping because of my own “what ifs.”
We have a property with a boundary dispute — one I didn’t fully understand when we purchased it. The neighboring property owners had already been working through it with attorneys for months before we ever got involved.
Right now, it looks like they may win.
If that happens, the mobile home that I purchased will end up partially sitting on their land. Even worse, the entire septic system would be on their side of the line.
Fixing that would mean moving the home and installing a new septic system — at a cost of around $20,000.
And that’s assuming the land even perks.
The night I couldn’t sleep started after meeting with the neighbors and realizing things weren’t trending in my favor. When I laid down, my mind immediately went to all the negative “what ifs.”
From the moment my head hit the pillow until about 12:30, I lay there running through worst-case scenarios.
But while I was praying through it, something came to mind that I had seen earlier that day:
“You can overthink what can go right just as easily as you can overthink what can go wrong. So why not overthink the positive?”
So I did.
I started asking, “What if this works out?”
For the next 30 minutes, my mind shifted. Instead of spiraling into worry, I moved into problem-solving and possibility.
By the time I finally fell asleep, I felt at peace.
When I shared that with Randy, it reminded me of what Scripture says in Matthew 6:31–34:
“Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
Notice it doesn’t say the “what ifs” won’t come.
It says don’t dwell on them.
Instead, focus on trusting your Father in Heaven and seeking Him first.
Another verse that comes to mind is Proverbs 3:5–6:
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
The next time worry creeps in and the “what ifs” start piling up, lean into those truths.
And ask yourself:
What if everything works out better than I could imagine?
Because I can tell you from experience — that shift in mindset brings a whole lot of peace and quiets a whole lot of worry.
So give it a try next time.
Because… what if it works?
Joe and Ashley English buy houses and mobile homes in Northwest Georgia. For more information or to ask a question, go to www.cashflowwithjoe.com or call Joe at 678-986-6813.