You have probably seen some of your friends complain about something trivial via social media, and they might include the hashtag ‘first world problem’. It is a way of sharing a frustration but also acknowledging that it is only something that a privileged few in the world could actually complain about.

The very fact that you are reading this article means that you have an advantage over the 1 billion people around the world who can’t read. If you’re reading it with a cup of coffee in hand, made with clean drinking water, you are more fortunate than the nearly 1 billion people who have no access to clean water or flushable toilets.

Although you may have some health issues, you have access to health care – again, nearly 1 billion people have no access to health care of any description. If you are earning over $50,000 a year, you are in the top 1% of earners worldwide (2.2 billion people live on less than $2 per day).

Why all these statistics? Sometimes it is important to get some perspective. The fact that you have had access to an education and the opportunity to create a business, means that you are vastly wealthier compared to the majority of people in the world. Sometimes in the day to day of running a business, we can get jaded and negative about all the ‘woes’ that we have. But I think it is useful to remember that on your ‘worst’ day, the majority of people around the globe would trade places with you in a heartbeat.

None of this is intended to make you feel guilty about what you do have! But it is intended to help you ponder the abundance of resources and opportunity that are at your fingertips, and to encourage you not to waste your days bemoaning your difficult circumstances. Yes there will be times when life is hard, even though we live in wealthy circumstances by global comparisons. But perspective has a way of shifting our focus from a negative to a positive outlook and allowing us to make each moment and day count.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender

Most of us started our business with a vision. Most of us who have continued in business have done so because we have the personality type to dream big and reimagine that original vision. Do you realise that this is a valuable trait to have? And how few people have it?

In recent discussions with a variety of people, I have been reminded of how often people bemoan their situations but aren’t willing to do anything to change it. Or how some people have the ‘vision’ but aren’t prepared to take the risk or the leap of faith to make it a reality.

Most people spend their time worrying about what might be lost in the process of change, rather than what might be gained.

Others are waiting for the perfect solution to come along before they will change direction, and are content to use outdated methods or processes while they search. Although this can feel like the ‘responsible’ action to take, it generally ends up costing organisations a great deal of time and money, not to mention the effect on staff morale.

Every business has obstacles (i.e. the trees) that can make the forest (i.e. the vision) difficult to see. There is no point pretending the ‘trees’ aren’t there – if there are problems, they need to be addressed. But the key to a successful business is to acknowledge the areas that need to be overcome, without losing sight of the bigger picture.

Jack Welch, former CEO of GE Electric put it this way: “You've got to eat while you dream. You've got to deliver on short-range commitments, while you develop a long-range strategy and vision and implement it. The success of doing both. Walking and chewing gum if you will. Getting it done in the short-range, and delivering a long-range plan, and executing on that.”

So keep looking up at the forest! Don’t get bogged down in the short-term tasks or the obstacles. Remind yourself of your vision and take bold steps to make it happen.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender

"Snowboarding to me isn't about the accolades. It isn't about competing. I do it because I love to snowboard, not because I love to compete.". Torah Bright is becoming one of Australia’s most well known Olympians, not just because she has won, and continues to win medals. But more so because of her attitude to what she does.

Torah’s friends have described her as someone who refuses to be limited by outside expectations. This Winter Olympics she has added a third snowboarding challenge: her past success has been in half-pipe and slope-style, and this year she has added ‘snowboard-cross’ to her competition. When asked why she doesn’t just focus on the disciplines that are her strengths, she says “This is about pushing boundaries...I call it character building. It’s a chance for the inner Torah to come out”.

What an amazing attitude! In business we are often told “do what you love” and “focus on your strengths”. Which is not bad advice. But Torah has taken this a step further and decided that she needs to pursue areas that will grow and stretch her, even if they are not ‘areas of strength’ yet. She is choosing to challenge herself, not for reasons of glory and winning, but for her own enjoyment, achievement and sense of joy.

Do you feel that way about your business? Do you find joy in what you do? Or are you going through the motions of what you think you need to do, according to other people’s expectations? These are big questions, but important ones for ensuring that we are living our life truly doing what we love and what fulfils our potential.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender

Some business owners can be categorised as ‘working for themselves’ – that is, they have chosen to create their own job and workplace, rather than be employed by someone else. They are not seeking to ‘change the world’ but are very happy being their own boss. Other business owners can be better defined as entrepreneurs, which “is someone who is always thinking [she] can do things a different, better way...and sees them differently than other people do” (Sam Zell, Chairman of Equity Group Investments).

When you read those two descriptions, you will know which one describes you. Neither is ‘right’ or ‘better’, and to a large degree, you won’t have a lot of choice as to which type of business owner you are. That is, if you are an entrepreneur, you will think as Sam Zell has described: your automatic response will be to see ways that something can be improved.

This trait does come with a downside: entrepreneurs are often viewed as arrogant. And it IS a fine line: just because you think (or know!) that there is a more efficient way, doesn’t mean people are ready to hear that. At best, you need to find a tactful way to make suggestions.

Although it can be frustrating, the best course of action is to channel that energy into the things you can control, and showing the end product as proof. Most people are not going to ‘see’ the vision you have, either for something new or how your method is going to change current outcomes. Where you do need to get stakeholders on board in order to progress your ideas, make sure you provide concrete examples of benefits and outcomes.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender

Like most female business owners, you’ve probably got a list of great ideas for your business. You might even have a file full of ideas for new business ventures. So why haven’t you done anything about them? What’s holding you back?

Sometimes the things that hold us back are practical in nature: lack of financial backing, lack of time, lack of resources. But the biggest thing that holds you back is YOU.

Most of us limit ourselves without even realising. We make assumptions about other people and how they will respond. We make assumptions about the risks involved without really investigating them. We listen to the naysayers and stop listening to our ‘inner entrepreneur’.

And we often our set our expectations and goals too low. Why can’t you triple your income by the end of the year? Why can’t you make your business as big as you dare to dream it could be?

I love the quote: “Aim for the stars and maybe you'll reach the sky”. If you set your sights on a goal that most people view as “realistic” or “achievable” then you are aiming too low. Aim for higher than you ever thought possible. Give yourself permission to dream big.

And then: just take a first small step. You don’t need to achieve it all in one day. Start by doing one action that will take you closer to your goal.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender