By Cory Halbardier of Peak Performance Group, Inc.
I hear from numerous small business owners and independent salespeople that they run out of time. They have so many things to do, they are going in different directions all at once.
Where are you going? What do you want? What’s important to you?
If we want to have a successful business, we have to start here, with ourselves. I clump independent salespeople with entrepreneurs because they face many of the same challenges. Both need to create the plan.
So the process goes as follows:
1. Discover your values
2. Discover/write your purpose
3. Write your vision
4. Write your mission
5. Create goals and strategies.
6. Time management with goals.
Over the next 5 weeks, we will be going through each of these steps, one at a time, helping you set the direction for your business.
Why Traditional Goal Setting Doesn’t Work
If you don’t discover what is most important to you, you will likely not achieve your goals and burn out.
Also, if you create a vision statement but it’s not a living document to you, it won’t have much meaning. Raise your hand if you have created a vision statement that lives in a drawer somewhere? If you have your hand raised, I ask you this: “How is that working for you?”
Why Set the Direction
There are so many reasons to set goals but here are a few:
1. When you get too busy, you can simplify to only the most important things. When you have a specific end you are seeking, it is easy to drop the things that don’t fall in line with the end.
2. When new opportunities come up, it is easy to say NO when they don’t contribute to your end. Yesterday I was meeting with a client who was telling me about many business opportunities that are coming up for him. It was clear to me that some of these fall in line with what he wants for the long-term, and some don’t. Without a clear vision, all of them seem to fall in line with what he wants. It is hard to say no to anyone and thus he is overloaded.
3. It gives your days meaning because it puts each day in context to what YOU want for your life in the long-term. Currently, we are receiving subcontracting work from the Small Business Advisory Network (www.sbanetwork.com). My current project is to survey owners of lofts in downtown LA.
On the surface, this is not related to coaching. I was purposeful in choosing this project because it falls in line with my vision. On this project, I’m learning how to survey and how people respond to surveying. It is also giving me the opportunity to work with a senior consultant and participate in a large-scale consulting project. In addition, I’m learning about viral marketing that can be applied to my business, as well as the businesses of my clients.
The Journey
So consider taking the journey with me on building the foundation of your business. Take this time to work on your business, rather than in your business.
I recognize that this will be harder for some people than others. Some people have a strength in visioning the future, while others don’t. It is important, no matter your strength in this area.
Pack your bags, because we’re all going on a trip together.
Until next week, take care!
About the Author
Copyright 2006 Cory Halbardier of Peak Performance Group, Inc., All Rights Reserved. To find out more information or view related articles, go to our website at www.PeakPerformance-CC.com Send comments to Cory@PeakPerformance-CC.com