Why Won’t It Start?…

Something very cool happened a few years ago… we bought my wife a new car! Her previous car was great and served its purpose for over 15+ years. It hauled three kids around to school, activities, games and many other places. That car took us on vacations and drove us to countless memories.

But it was time and she deserved this new car.

I remember watching her take the test drive and watching her cute dimples in her cheeks form as she had the biggest smile. I just had to buy it for her!

Her new acquisition has been a great car with one exception. It has the pesky and annoying habit of not starting at the most inconvenient times. Well, anytime you’re ready to go and your car doesn’t start is inconvenient, right?

This has happened five or six times over the last few years and no one can seem to figure out what the problem is.

We checked the battery and it is perfectly fine. We checked all systems and everything seems to be in running order. We’ve made sure that the lights are off and nothing in the car is draining power. And while everything “checks out”, the problem remains as pesky as ever.

I was absolutely perplexed! That’s a very nice way of not saying the words that I really want to say, but let’s keep this is a G-Rated blog. 😊

Now the funny part is everything works perfectly for months and months and months and then it decides not to work. And then we get it charged and started and it goes for months and months and months until it happens again. It’s like that old shampoo commercial Rinse, Wash, Repeat! It is very frustrating.

The last time this happened was this past Sunday as we were just getting ready to go to church. My wife hopped in the car and nothing! I was finally at my wit’s end and had to calm down and get in a “church like” mood.

After looking at many online automotive forums and making calls to mechanics and technicians, I finally found a guy who said, “Oh yeah, that’s pretty common in your vehicle. It’s referred to as a Parasitic drain.” I looked at him with funny expression and said exactly what was on my mind … “WHAT?” I know, that was a brilliant and intelligent response. I’m just like that, I always know the right things to say. 😊 He then went on to explain that there is something, somewhere in the system that sporadically drains power. He then gave me some ideas on how to find the source of this problem.

Armed with this new information, I am on the hunt (no let’s call it an obsession) to figure out how I can fix this problem. I know I will find a solution, I just know it!

In the meantime, the car is running perfectly, go figure. I purchased my wife one of those fancy car chargers that she can keep in her car in case there’s no one around to jump start it or she just feels uncomfortable asking a stranger.

We continue to drive the car and it’s as if there is no problem. But I know I just can’t wish the issue away. So, I will persist and continue searching for a solution to the problem until this is no longer an issue.

So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!

In business, especially if you’re building something of your own, this kind of thing happens all the time.

There’s a problem. Something just isn’t working quite right. Maybe it’s a system that keeps breaking. Maybe it’s sales that suddenly stall. Maybe it’s a software glitch or a computer issue that keeps popping up like a game of Whack-a-Mole. And you think: Seriously? Again??

And just like my wife’s car, everything seems to run smoothly for a while… until it doesn’t. It’s frustrating. It feels like you’re back at square one. And sometimes, you’re tempted to throw your hands up, yell something very un-churchlike, and just walk away.

But you don’t.

You persist.

You get creative. You look for new answers. You ask better questions. You test workarounds. You plug in a temporary fix (like my fancy car charger), and you keep moving while you continue to troubleshoot.

Because quitting isn’t an option. Not when success matters.

And here’s the thing: The business is still good. The dream is still worth it. The mission still matters. Just because there’s a drain somewhere doesn’t mean you throw away the whole vehicle. You adapt, adjust, and keep showing up.

When things seemed broken or out of my control I eventually learned to stop trying to figure everything out on my own. I looked for and found someone who knew solutions to my issues.  Someone who’s seen it before and could help me identify the real problem. My wife’s car experience reminded me how important it is in business (and in life) to find people who’ve been where you’re trying to go.

Sometimes you need a mentor. Sometimes it’s a coach, a community, or even just a trusted peer who can say, “Yep. I’ve been there. Here’s what helped me.”

You don’t have to troubleshoot every issue in isolation.

So how do you keep going when the problems pop up again (and again)?

Here are 5 practical ways to overcome those frustrating, recurring roadblocks:

1. Step back and assess – Take a pause. Zoom out. Is this a one-time glitch or a pattern? Get clear on what’s really going on so you don’t waste energy on the wrong fix.
2. Document what is working – Before you spiral, remind yourself of what’s functioning well. Sometimes the problem feels bigger than it is because it’s loud. But progress is still happening in the background.
3. Find expert eyes – Don’t go it alone. Ask for help. A coach, mentor, peer, etc. to offer insights you haven’t considered.
4. Implement temporary solutions – While you work on the deeper issue, don’t be afraid to use a workaround. It’s okay to “charge the battery” while you figure out the drain.
5. Persist with purpose – Remind yourself WHY you started. The goal is still good. You’re building something that matters. Don’t quit just because it’s inconvenient right now.

Problems are part of the process. But progress is still possible even with a parasitic drain somewhere in the system.

Just don’t stop showing up.

I’m curious and want to learn from you. How do you handle situations when things are broken and you just can’t figure it out? Leave me a comment below as I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Now I’m off to go find something for my wife to smile about because those dimples really are cute and light up her already beautiful face. She’s going to read this, and roll her eyes, but I know it will make her smile. Mission Accomplished!

 “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:

Why did the dad keep fixing the broken lawnmower even though it wouldn’t start? Because persistence is mow-tivating.

I tried to give up eating cookies. But I crumbled under pressure.

Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!

 

 

 

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