There’s no doubt about it. The economy is facing some serious headwinds right now.
You can feel it in the conversations with business owners across the country. There’s an argument to say now’s the time to concentrate on what’s directly in front of us. Stick to the basics. Focus on what we can control.
And to a point, that’s absolutely right. Things are going to be tough. There are external factors at play that none of us can influence, and spending energy on what we can’t control rarely pays off.
But here’s the thing. There is something we can control, and arguably it’s the biggest thing of all: our mindset.
The battle in my own head
I had my own little mindset challenge last week as I was getting ready to head to the annual conference of the British Franchise Association.
One voice in my head, let’s call it the “fixed mindset,” was shouting:
“You’re too busy for this. Your inbox is out of control. The team needs more of your time. There are more pressing priorities. You can’t afford to disappear for a day and a half.”
Then there was the quieter, more persistent voice, the “growth mindset”:
“This is exactly what you need. A shot in the arm. A recharge. Inspiration. Community. Go.”
Now yes, I’d already bought my ticket, which helped. But if I’m honest, that’s not always enough to stop me talking myself out of something. It would have been easy to convince myself that staying home was the responsible choice.
Thankfully, the growth mindset won. And here’s what I’d have missed if it hadn’t.
The rewards of showing up
1. Clarity of vision
The reminder that your mission and purpose aren’t just slogans. They’re the backbone of how you make decisions every day.
2. The value of feedback
Act on it. Don’t avoid it. That’s where real growth happens.
3. AI insights from Piers Linney
Start small. Think big. The pace of change is staggering, but so is the opportunity.
4. Marketing wisdom from Daniel Priestley
People often “see you for the first time” on the 11th time they’ve actually seen you. Visibility takes consistency. And patience.
5. The human factor
People still buy from people. The more you share, the more they get to know you. Keep showing up.
6. Fun. Lots of it.
Brilliant people. Brilliant content. And a lot of laughter. Sometimes the best learning happens when you’re simply enjoying yourself.
And if all that wasn’t enough, I got to pick up two awards on behalf of the TAB Franchise UK team:
- 🏆 5-star franchisee satisfaction – only 44 brands in the UK achieve this out of around 1,000.
- 🥉 Top 3 in all UK B2B franchises.
A proud moment. Huge congratulations to the team.
The takeaway
When times are tough, it’s tempting to hunker down. To retreat into the safety of what feels urgent. But sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is step away from the day-to-day and reconnect with your purpose, your peers, and your energy.
Mindset isn’t a “soft” skill. It’s a competitive advantage.
Next time those two voices start arguing in my head, I already know which one’s going to win.
Thank you, BFA team, for the reminder that showing up, especially when it feels hardest, is often when we get the biggest return.
