Does the dog wag its tail or the tail wag the dog?

Written by James Sanders

Last week we talked about seeing the forest for the trees.  In keeping with this theme, I think it’s important to circle back on the whole concept of perception versus reality. I try to scan headlines and read articles as much as time permits.  If you just paid attention to the headlines, you would think both the US and World economies are headed for disaster.  Coming out of the Covid downturn and the Great Recession of 2007-09, it would be easy to fall into that mindset. 

However, many businesses actually flourished during those times.  This is not to say that a pullback or bad economic environment does not happen. It certainly does.  Economies are cyclical and have both sustained up and downturns.  Thankfully, the US system favors more ups versus downs over time.  It also provides you the luxury of free will.    

Those business leaders that realize this phenomenon and choose not to let the headlines dictate their strategy are the ones that typically succeed over the long term.  It begs the question – Do you believe the dog wags its tail or does the tail wag the dog? 

I will leave you with this quote from Richard Branson:
“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” 

Keep moving forward and don’t fall into the trap of letting the tail wag the dog in your business.