If there’s one inevitable thing in life (besides death and taxes), it’s that there are going to be some bumps in the road – especially for anyone running their own business.  There are just too many balls in the air for surprises to never pop up … even if almost everything (99%) works out for you, you’re still going to have at least a curveball or two every week.

A good example of this is with something that I have a love/hate relationship with: Skype.  Before I knock Skype, I’ll say that it’s been a big help to my business and it would be hard to do what I do (coach and host a daily podcast) without it.  Most of the time, the connections are fine and the recording of the podcast goes off without a hitch.  But sometimes I get that odd “Skype-Connection-From-H-E-double hockey sticks”) that just doesn’t want to cooperate.  You’ve probably had the same experience … the one call where Skype decides to disconnect about five times in one conversation?  The one where you get tired of calling the person back and debate whether you should use a couple of tin cups connected by a string, walkie talkies, smoke signals, or anything less frustrating?

I’ve had a few of those Skype interview recordings recently.  You may not know it by listening to today’s Natural Born Coaches episode with Dallas Hardcastle, but our call dropped off four times in a little over half an hour!  I have to give Dallas credit – he’s a more patient man than I am and he took it all in stride, but I was ready to ring Skype’s virtual neck by the end of the call.  The advice given by Dallas during that call, including how he bumped his sales up 500%, motivated me to finish it and get it out there to help the listeners.  But it was a real battle!

Later in the week, coach Judith Morgan will be on the podcast.  Like Dallas, Judith gives lots of good advice that coaches can implement in their businesses.  But when her call went to my editor (the awesome 317 Sound Design company), we discovered that half of the call didn’t record, and a re-recording was set up.

As frustrating as things like that are, you can’t let them get in your head and slow your momentum.  Sure, it’s natural to scream at the heavens and moan about setbacks that cost you time, energy and money.  But at the end of the day, the longer you stay in that state of blame and frustration, the worse off you’ll be.  I’m not suggesting that you slap a smile on your face the minute after it happens (we’re all human, afterall).  If you have to, take a few minutes to let out your frustration, but then move on!

I looked at the positive side of both podcast interviews that I mentioned.  They were each filled with tons of valuable content that will benefit my listeners.  The recording and editing took a little longer than expected, but no one died and the shows turned out great.  So I’ll be carrying on with my business using Skype, until a better alternative comes along (or if I find time to create one!).

Whenever you feel like the world is kicking you for no reason, watch this video from the great Rocky Balboa.  He sums it up pretty well!