For many small business owners and solopreneurs, January marks a new beginning. A fresh start. An opportunity to develop and execute plans that propel your business from where it is today to where you want it to be.
Here are 3 Big Questions that can make the difference between surviving and thriving:
Big Question #1: “Where do you want to take your business in 2008?”
Maybe your marketing needs revamping. Maybe you need to understand your target market better. Maybe you simply want to get more done, better, faster and with less effort…
For me, the answer to the question is to finally share the methodology I’ve used to close the gap between where I am to where I want to be. When I decided to switch from the nonprofit/education world in the mid-90s to climb the corporate ladder, I used elements of this process. And at a recent Fortune 100 company, I set the direction and executed a plan towards our cost savings goal in the millions. It’s time to share this knowledge and skill with others.
Big Question #2: “What do you need to do differently?”
Most of us know what we need to do differently. We simply don’t do it. And if we don’t know what to do, we allow lack of knowledge to frustrate and limit us from moving forward.
If you want to change your results, then you need to change your behavior. If you want to change your behavior, you need to change your mindset.
When I looked in the mirror, I realized what I needed to do differently in order to expect different results: Simply Get Started!
Let me clarify. By nature, I am a starter. I get things going.
In this case, I had my “nose to the grind”. I was in a holding pattern and hadn’t realized it. I was no longer gaining momentum towards what I want to achieve.
Have you ever been in this situation?
STOP preparing to start. MOVE into the ‘doing’ phase.
Big Question #3: “What is the next action to move you closer to achieving that ‘different thing’?
Our desires are great. Our challenges seem overwhelming. Simply identifying that next action, doing it, then ‘repeat and rinse’ can help you get back on track.
Ever heard the riddle about the quickest way to eat an elephant?
The answer is one bite at a time.
To break out of my holding pattern, I took two simple actions.
The first was to write out my plans (using the model I had developed — duh!).
This was extremely helpful for obvious reasons:
(a) the power of the written word and
(b) freedom to create and do without having to sort through the details in my mental file cabinet.
The second action was to start each day fresh with the “Big Picture” I painted in the first step and enlist the support of my accountability partner. This helped me remain focused and respond appropriately to distractions (expert ‘help’ or other opportunities) that weren’t aligned with my Big Picture at that moment.
To recap, the 3 Big Questions are:
- Where do you want to take your business in 2008?
- What do you need to do differently?
- What is the next action to move you closer to that ‘different’ thing?
Whatever your personal circumstance, you want to take your business or Big Idea to the next level. You want to get from where you are to where you want to be. Your livelihood, your lifestyle and your legacy depends on your success.
And now I invite you to participate in a single question survey that will take no more than 30 seconds of your time. I promise. Those who participate will receive an invitation to a complimentary teleconference in February addressing the most frequently asked questions on how to catapult your business to the next level. Go now to www.JustAskMarian.com while the survey is still active.
Here’s my last question, “Will 2008 be the year you start thriving?”
If yes, then what are you waiting for?!
