I had the privilege of taking my children out recently, and as we were going back to our car, I noticed a woman.  The purse was divine, she had on a fabulous pair of jeans, a stunning top, and a pair of shoes that I would’ve gladly have given up a kidney for.  Seriously—they were that cute; if I woke up in a tub of ice the next morning, but those shoes were on the counter, it would be worth it.  However, I noticed that she was walking—it was rather odd. Instead of having a Naomi Campbell Walk—fully strutting herself and outfit, she was walking as if someone had cut off her toes and ordered her to walk on hot coals to her execution.

Totally took away from her outfit.

Perhaps it would have worked if she were sitting down the entire day, she could get away with it, but that’s not realistic. 

How often do we do something like this with our businesses?  Buy a pair of shoes that don’t fit because they are gorgeous, but they cause us more pain than they are worth.  What about the awesome website design that is confusing to our visitors or putting our site on the three millionth page of Google?  Or the intern or associate that isn’t meshing well with our operation.  Perhaps it’s the relationship with a vendor that causes extra work instead of lightening our load. Whatever it is, you have to decide if your current damage or pain is worth the price of the “cute shoes”.  If there is anything in your business that is causing more work for you than it should, or is not working for  you—it is working against you. 

And you know what happens if you keep wearing bad shoes right?  Corns.  Bunions.  Full on surgery.  You will find yourself asking at that time if it was worth it.  If your brand, client experience, reputation or peace of mind (and “mine”) are at risk, it’s time to toss the shoes. Throw them out.  Gift it to charity.  Find something better and make it work for you.

It doesn’t matter how cute the shoes are, if they hurt your feet.