We live in the southern part of the United States and we get a very, very hard freeze a few times each year! Ohh, it gets cold, and we occasionally get snow and often ice, however the hard freeze is the one that seems to shut everything down.
Fortunately, with meteorological advancements, we get plenty of advanced warning from the weatherman, the internet, the app on my phone and that one neighbor that seems to know it all… you know who I’m talking about 😊.
Last week we got one of those hard freezes and it was brutal. Fortunately, it only lasted a few days. I know my friends up North are snickering at this with comments like, “0h you’re so cute with your short-lived cold weather.” Or, as it often said in the South, the equivalent is, “Bless your heart.” But hey, to us, this cold is brutal!
When we hear that weather like this is coming, we start to stock up and prepare. We make sure our cars are all gassed up (even though we don’t plan on going anywhere), we make sure we have food and the basics to sustain us, we do an inventory on household items to make sure we are set and finally… we drip our faucets! (Oh, and making sure our Netflix is paid up and we have plenty of popcorn on hand.)
For those that don’t know what this means, it is a routine that is necessary in our part of the world. You see, when it gets extremely cold the water in the pipes will freeze and expand causing the pipes to rupture. Once the pipes thaw, the running water goes through those busted pipes and now you have a huge problem.
One recommended preventative solution is to slowly drip all the faucets in your home to keep a constant flow of water. The purpose of this task is the hopeful idea that if there is a steady flow of water, the pipes may be kept from freezing. It’s certainly not a guarantee. But it is at least a small step toward preventing a disaster. It is also recommended that the cabinets under the sinks be opened to allow warmer air to aid in heating up the pipes.
For those that have experienced or have seen first-hand the damage done by busted pipes, this routine is essential. My water bill will be a little bit higher next month to accommodate for the dripping faucets but that is a small price to pay compared to the cost it would be to tear up the floor in your home and repair the damage.
Now to find that perfect drip is another story. You certainly don’t want to turn the faucet on at full flow and you don’t want it to drip so slow that the water is not really flowing. My wife and I have this routine of going to each faucet to find that perfect drip. After what seems like hours (not really as it’s only a few minutes) we have accomplished our task. I even made a TikTok video about it you can see here.
And then when one needs to wash their hands, and they have to start the whole process over finding that perfect drip. It’s a never-ending quest to save the pipes!
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
Having an online business can be very rewarding and oftentimes very fun… until it’s not. There are those difficult times that you can anticipate and should prepare for to keep you from something might deter or distract you from your task.
Of course, one cannot prepare for issues and problems that occur without any forewarning or ability to predict. This post is not about those unfortunate events. It is about being aware of current and possible future situations that could have a negative impact on your business.
For example, this latest weather event got me thinking about making sure that my system was backed up, my laptop and phone were charged and my desktop computer was secure just in case there was a power surge caused from potential electricity issues.
There are those seasonal issues to consider when selling products or services. Understanding the seasonal environment is key to making sure that you are providing needs to your customers at the right time.
Taking a close look at the analytics of your business will give you a good idea of what is working and what is not working. For example, I have mentioned that I have started to use TikTok as an additional way to monetize my online business goals. I’ve started to take a close look at why some videos work and why some videos fall flat. These analytics have been very helpful. Another example would be my use of Facebook Lead Ads that drives potential customers to my email list. The analytics help to suggest why some emails don’t get opened and why some emails produce better results than others.
Another example would be how I spend my time. I have started to track my time to see exactly where I spend my time each day so that I could be more efficient and productive. This budget of time allows me to spend time on my online business as well as spending time doing some of the things that I want to do and finally spending the most important time with those I love.
These are just a very few examples of what I can do to prepare for my success and to help in preventing any hiccups in my online business. There are many more examples. And there are many more things that I have not thought about but will encounter as my business grows.
The key is not to be paranoid but to be prepared. Having the mental focus to look ahead, to learn from what works and doesn’t work and to use as much information as possible. This is how I’ll continue to set myself up for success.
I’m curious. How do you prepare for those situations that you know may possibly interfere with your business? What are some of the things that you do and what are some examples of negative situations that you have avoided because of your preparation? I’d love to hear from you and I’d love to learn from you. Please comment below with your thoughts.
In case you were wondering, we survived the very cold spell. And I must say, it was a doozy! But our pipes weathered storm. It was a very nice feeling to go around the house and stop those dripping faucets once the temperature warmed up.
Our weather here is so unpredictable and should be in the mid-60s today. Who would have ever thought that last week we were in the low teens and, at times, in below zero temperatures. I think I’ll spend some time outside today and take advantage of this beautiful weather while I can.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
“What do you call a snowman with a six-pack? An abdominal snowman!”
“I tried to catch some fog earlier… I mist.”
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
**If you are curious about this process and wish to know more about an affiliate marketing business, please subscribe to my newsletter here to learn more. And please continue following my blog. My hope is not only to create the freedom I so long for but pass on what I have learned to others who have similar aspirations.
Ernie, Your post made me reflect on how preparation is crucial, whether for unexpected weather events or running an online business. Just like dripping faucets to prevent frozen pipes, small, consistent actions in business—like tracking analytics, securing backups, and managing time effectively—can help avoid costly disruptions. I’ve learned this firsthand in my own journey, especially in affiliate marketing and content creation, where reviewing what works and adjusting accordingly has been essential. Planning ahead doesn’t eliminate challenges, but it definitely makes them easier to handle.
Hi Atif – Yes, preparation truly is crucial especially when you know things are on the way… like bad weather, system issues that have been communicated, etc. Events that derail our progress are never fun and are never easy, but they can be overcome with the right mindset and outlook, right? Thank you very much for your visit to my blog post and I wish you a very productive week!
Hi Ernie,
I feel this! Those random deep freezes can throw everything off. Finding the perfect faucet drip sounds like a whole adventure. But you’re so right; being prepared makes all the difference, whether for frozen pipes or keeping a business running. Definitely made me think about what I should be planning ahead for. Thank you for sharing that.
Hi Alberto – Thank you very much for your visit to my blog post and for your comments. There would be so nice if we didn’t have things like deep freezes or business challenges that interrupt our productivity. But these distractions are a fact of life, and we need to have the right attitude to persevere. That’s what I’m trying to do and that’s what I wish for you! Have a great week!
Hi Ernie,
I can really relate to your post because, just like finding that “perfect drip” to protect the pipes, I’ve been working on finding the right balance in my own business, whether it’s consistency with learning a new platform like Pinterest, managing time efficiently, or analyzing what’s working and what’s not in differentaspectsof my business. It’s a great reminder that small, intentional actions can help prevent bigger problems down the road. Thanks for sharing this perspective, Ernie. I hope you have a great week!
Meredith
Hi Meredith – It truly is all about balance at times, right? Just like you dabbling in many different opportunities to ensure your success, finding that “perfect drip” in life or in business is what we all aspire to do every day. I’ve been following you for a while now and I love how your business has evolved. Your willingness to try things that are new is one to be modeled. Wishing you a very productive week!
Haha, I love how you tied in the whole “drip the faucets” routine to online business prep! The analogy really hit home for me, especially in terms of making sure your systems are backed up and ready for unexpected challenges. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of things going well, but having that mental checklist—like securing your devices or analyzing your business analytics—keeps things running smoothly when stuff hits the fan.
I think it’s great that you’re looking ahead and learning from both the wins and the hiccups. It’s definitely the mindset of a successful entrepreneur. Keep up the awesome work, and thanks for sharing your experience!
Hi Alison – Thank you for your thoughts and for your perspective! When we have events that we know that are coming and we don’t prepare, that’s on us if we don’t see success. I wish we could just close our eyes and wish all the bad stuff away but unfortunately, that’s not how life works. When we prepare for the known events, we can focus more on those things that are unplanned and unexpected. Thanks for your visit, my friend, and I wish you a fantastic week!
Oh, I felt this post! I’m in the same boat when it comes to scrambling to prepare for those random hard freezes, but in England it just seems cold all the time! The way you described the tap-dripping ritual had me laughing—finding that perfect drip is truly an art! And as always, I love how you connected it all back to running an online business. Being prepared and staying ahead of potential problems is key, whether it’s pipes or profits! Glad y’all (see what I did there!) made it through the freeze—enjoy that warm weather while it lasts! Looking forward to seeing more of your TikToks too
Hi Sarah – I see what you did there! We’re going to turn you into a Southerner yet, right? :). Preparation is key especially when you know of something that is going to derail or distract your productivity and your business. I look at warnings as a gift as now I can get ready. I am guilty of being lazy and not heading the warnings, at times. But I try to learn from every life lesson. If it’s going to freeze, it’s time to drip those pipes… Whether it’s “pipes or profits” as you say, we have an opportunity! Thanks for your visits, for your support and for your comments!
I had a birthday last week which messed up my rhythm! Not complaining, and I’m grateful for all the attention, but I’m now feeling my way back to the workflow. Freezing pipes aside, when we accomplish even 25% of what we set out to do, that’s a win! (I just randomly chose that number lol). Getting all the moving parts to work together is another challenge! Simplifying the workflow is my goal moving forward!
Hi Kate – I trust you had a wonderful birthday and that is the perfect excuse to give yourself a gift and take a little break away from the grind. But I am not surprised that you found your way back in your usual strong and motivating way! Simplifying the workflow and embracing efficiency is a great concept and goal. Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
Edit