Whether you’re trying to survive on freelance work or operating a full fledged company, there’s no easy way to approach business trouble. And while it may feel comfortable to close your eyes and forge on in hopes of things getting better, sometimes that simply isn’t enough.

When problems arise that compromise the stability of your livelihood you must be willing to take a long, hard look at why things are going wrong. It’s a uniquely frightening experience to worry about meeting your daily needs.  However, if you want to make a change, this is the place from which you’ll need to start.

Once you’ve acknowledged that things aren’t working, you’ll be in a far better position to assess what’s going on. What are you doing wrong? Where could you improve? Have you been giving enough time to the parts of your business you don’t “enjoy?” Asking yourself these difficult questions won’t be easy. In fact, they’ll probably have you doubting yourself more than ever before. However, it’s important to remember that self realization isn’t meant to make you feel good. It’s meant to make you grow. So take each inquiry with a very objective, grain of salt. Honest dialogue (be it internal or otherwise) is the key to creating change, but where that change takes you is entirely up to you.

At this point you will be faced with two options: keep going or change course. Only you will know what the right decision is for your business, your sense of security and your life, overall.

If after this period of evaluation you remain confident in the path you’re on, then now is the time to get creative. Exploring ways to enhance how you operate on a daily basis is beneficial on every level. From reaching out to mentors to stocking up on meaningful reads, there’s a ton of knowledge to be gained from those who have come before you. Better understanding how to market yourself, promote your brand and interact with others is a transformative and ever evolving commitment. Things that worked for you last year, may not hold the same weight today or next week. That’s simply the nature of the game. Acknowledging the fickle landscape of the business world may seem frustrating, but it is also a gift that will leave you far more capable in the long run.

But what if this period of exploration leaves you questioning rather than trusting in the path your on? What then? There’s no doubt about the fact that changing course is scary- especially when it involves business. It may sound uncouth, but the truth of the matter is that money makes the world go round, and when you decide to jig up a formula you’ve grown to operate within, fallout is likely to occur (even if you know deep down the formula isn’t working.)

Deciding tomorrow that you’re business is no longer sustainable will be uncomfortable. However, once you accept that sense of discomfort you will be left with the opportunity to see your situation as an occasion for growth. Now is the time to use what you’ve learned about the things you don’t want to do to bring yourself toward the opposite. It’s true what they say about smooth seas never making a skilled sailor. Consider this storm your chance to dig deep, to learn more and then, to begin again.