In some ways, though, I'm more hare than tortoise. Yes, I like to take my time and be as thoughtful and careful as tortoise in my approach when making the big business decisions about my business. Once those big decisions are made, though, I make secondary decisions with the great speed and precision of hare.

As the fabled main characters in Aesop's The Tortoise and the Hare lined up for their race, each was favoring her strengths. The tortoise was focused on the end goal and knew she could go the distance. The hare knew she was fast. She counted on being able to catch up when she made the decision to stop for some food and a quick nap.

When it comes to adopting new ideas and making decisions for your small business, are you more like the tortoise or the hare? Are you speedy at the start or slow and steady to the end?

The Tortoise Speaks

+ One of my most redeeming qualities is that, if I say I'm going to do something, I will.

+ I am steady and know how to pace myself.

+ I have an abundance of sustainable energy and have the focus and commitment to see things through.

+ I like looking at things from different perspectives and will often seek input before making a decision.

+ Having to make a quick decision makes me feel pressured.

+ More than once, I've waited too long to make my mind up about something and have found that the window of opportunity has passed me by.

+ I do things when they both "feel right" and "think right." Not before.

+ Hares bug me.

The Hare Jumps In

+ One of my most redeeming qualities is that I am flexible and can maneuver nimbly in changing environments.

+ I am spontaneous, adventurous, and like lots of variety in my life.

+ I can easily think outside the box and am great at generating ideas.

+ I'm at my best when starting up something.

+ Having to stay focused on one thing makes me feel pressured.

+ More than once, I've found it difficult to finish a project, losing interest half way through.

+ I do things when they feel "right" to me and trust my gut instincts, implicitly.

+ Tortoises bore me.

In today's business environment, you can see evidence of both tortoise and hare decision-making processes at work. You notice some small business owners who are jumping at anything and others who are slow to consider. Nevertheless, given our current economic conditions, it will take the winning characteristics of both the tortoise and the hare to get things done this year.

As a small business owner, when it comes to new business ideas and making business decisions, you'll do best when you can find ways to combine the thoughtfulness, sustainability, and commitment of the tortoise with the adaptability, flexibility, and maneuverability of the hare.

The Moral of the Story: Slow and steady wins the race when flexibility sets the pace.