Insights on Reigniting Your Business Growth: How to get from “Stuck” to “Supersonic”
As a business owner for over 25 years, I would be lying if I said I’ve never been short on inspiration. We all hit those moments when the grind wears us down, and the spark that once fueled our passion starts to flicker. But I’m not writing this to wallow in self-pity. Instead, I want to share some insights on how I’ve transitioned from feeling “stuck” to operating at “supersonic” speed.
Ian Melancon – River Road Coffees
One of the secrets isn’t even mine. It came from an inspiring conversation with Ian Melancon, the owner of River Road Coffees in Baton Rouge. Like many business owners, we were chatting about marketing and the everyday challenges of running a business. I was particularly stuck on a hiring issue, unable to find a clear path forward. That’s when Ian offered a piece of wisdom that has stuck with me: “You can’t have new output until you turn off the input.”
At first, it didn’t quite sink in, but after some reflection, I realized just how brilliant it was. The constant barrage of information—from emails to social media to news—was clouding my thinking. So, I took Ian’s advice to heart. I stepped away from my computer, turned off all the devices, and took a walk with nothing but a pencil and paper. It was liberating. With no distractions, I was able to clarify my thoughts and come up with several solutions to my problem. The lesson here? Sometimes, you have to remove all the input to get the best output.
How do we reignite growth every quarter?
This approach doesn’t just apply to problem-solving; it’s also the key to setting meaningful goals. Every quarter, we set new goals and milestones to keep our business on track. But how do you set really great goals? Here’s how we do it now:
With our 10-year vision in mind, we carve out time away from the business for at least three days every quarter. Day one is all about breaking routine—whether it’s visiting the beach or exploring a new city. By day two, we’re ready to brainstorm. We draft up ideas, expand on them, and then start filtering them down. Some ideas stick, others don’t. By day three, we’re solidifying our goals for the next quarter into something actionable that we can share with our team.
This process is another example of what Ian shared. By getting away from the day-to-day hustle, we’ve been able to ignite new ideas and set more effective goals than ever before. It’s a practice that has transformed how we operate and has kept our momentum strong, even when the road gets tough.
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
— Steve Jobs
As business owners, we know that challenges are inevitable, but so is growth if we’re willing to step back, clear the noise, and refocus our energy. Take it from someone who’s been through the grind and found a way out: sometimes, the best solutions come when you give yourself the space to think.
So, the next time you find yourself stuck, remember that a little distance might be all you need to get back on track. Who knows? You might just go from “stuck” to “supersonic” too.
– Adrienne Folse
