Having your head in the sand and hoping nothing will go wrong is never the right answer. If you haven’t seriously thought about the technological risks to your business, here are some basics to get you started.

What is it about resilience that we think is so gosh-darn important? We want you to have the skills to succeed, and that is why we’ve dedicated a year of writing to this vital topic. Now that you have read all the articles, have all the data, understand the philosophies… what are you going to do?

Great calendar management keeps you from hitting walls. It creates both structure and flexibility. It supports your strategic plans, breaks your goals down into bite-sized attainable pieces - and keeps you focused on what matters, not just what’s on fire.

The protein to your operational meal is the creation and maintenance of powerfully resilient processes. The clear reason why you’re doing a thing, when you’re doing it, who is playing which part, the itty-bitty, nitty-gritty steps along the way, and the end game… all in one beautiful clear written (adjustable, editable, scale-able) document.

No, this isn’t going to be a little chat about your feelings - so don’t run away just yet. Emotional resilience is one of the most vital kinds of resilience a business owner can build. It’s your ability to persevere through difficult times. It’s optimism, and awareness of your own feelings, where they come from, and why. It’s believing you - and no other - are in control of your life.

What we rarely consider, because we, as business owners and entrepreneurs are naturally superhuman, is what happens if you cannot - physically or mentally - show up for your business? It’s a bleak consideration. Many of us just toss the idea away, simply seeing it as either impossible or unsolvable.

The combination of expectations, from ourselves as well as others, that we “should” be able to knock the socks off our businesses, families, personal development, health care and exercise regime, and somehow actually have friends and time to write that book or learn that language or travel or…well, it’s just tiring. So, if a sabbatical is impossible… what can you do?

Excellent service is your best marketing tool. It’s one of those slow-burn activities that takes a long time and a lot of work to build, but a great reputation with the customers you love is bar-none the most powerful form of marketing you can ever work on. It’s the first, and by far the most important, tool in your kit.

When you start building your company, and handing off those tasks to people are are frankly better at it than you are, your relief is palpable. Your sleep increases, as does your joy and—trust us—your revenue. You’re no longer alone in this business. It’s one of the most fantastic feelings in the world.