We have this fabulous little business, one that has caused many a late and sleepless night, tantrums and tears and now … oh, great joy!

Like a new baby, we are elated! In fact, many of us refer to our business as “our baby”, because it causes pretty much the same as a new baby does when it enters the house!

It has taken blood, sweat and tears and we love it to bits and would do anything for it.

It is up there with the most important things in the world to us!

At times, it is everything to us, consuming all our thoughts and hours in the day.

We want to shout it to the world and let everyone know about it! How could anyone not see how fabulous it is and not consider it important?! They must be crazy.

The fact is, it’s really not that important.

Well, not to me or her over there. Or to him, or those lot sitting in the corner. In fact, it’s not that important to just about every other business owner in the world, or even those in your close, networking or business support group.

Nup. Not even close.

Their business is WAY more important than yours.

It’s okay. Relax, your business IS important and, for you and for each and every business owner, it’s one of the most important things in their lives.

It is, however, extremely easy to fall into the trap of thinking your business is the be all and end all, to put the blinkers on and wind yourself up into a frenzy because someone didn’t respond to that email! 

Not withstanding those who have a habit of promising things and not carrying through, there are going to be a heap of people that will offer you something and don’t respond immediately.

This often occurs when you’re after logos, products, gifts and giveaways for a competition you’re running or an event your hosting.

They reply comes late, you get forgotten about or things arrive at the last, most inconvenient moment.

Don’t take it personally, because it’s not.

It’s just that for each and every business owner, their business is Most Important. Just like yours is.

Just like you want that gift wrapped hamper a week before the event, or the logos by Friday so you can add them to your website, and you want them when you want them, damnit!

In pretty much the same way, those who are supposed to be sending you the stuff are dealing with things in their own business, something that, in their world, is much more important for them and their business than sending off that logo.

The logo for you is down their list of priorities because, as callus as this may sound, it’s not their business.

If you take an honest look, you’ve probably done the same to someone else; you’ve left them waiting for something. If you haven’t yet, don’t worry, you will, because there will be something you have to deal with that’s more important to you than whatever it is they need.

It will happen, and will happen a lot. The best thing you can do is appreciate they are busy, give gentle reminders, ask them if there is anything you can do to ensure you get what you want and need.

Keeping track of those who perpetually and pathologically let you down and avoiding them at all costs in future is also handy.

Mostly, just remember that for each of us, our business is most important and more important than anyone else’s; even yours.

Written by Amanda Cox (aka Mad Cow) founder of online parent support and resource website Real Mums, writer, speaker and business owner of 15 years or more. NOT a ‘social media expert’ she has been around for quite a bit and seen lots of craziness on and off social media.