CHARTING YOUR COURSE!!

Are you feeling lost these days? Were you ever a Brownie or Girl Guide? I recall that one of the badges I got was for camping – and learning your way around the woods. We learned to use a compass.

Steven Covey often speaks about the difference between the clock and the compass. Have you identified the priorities in your life and do you have a life plan……….? Just as important is having a plan for your business – a strategy, if you will. Are you lost or do you have a plan?

Many of my clients are running their business on a day-to-day basis. That is not effective. You must have a long-term plan and a strategy. And there’s no rule that says Business Plans and Strategies can only be created in January – the start of a new year.

When I create a plan, or strategy, I always include 3 elements: Personal, Professional and Organizational. I will keep things really simple here for you – and just want to give you some food for thought.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. When creating a plan, or setting goals, I always include a commitment to personal development. It is critical for me to continue to grow – and that includes everything from ‘changing my brain’ (critical thinking skills) through to personal health. It takes a lot of energy and drive to reach your goals – to live your best life – and to grow and succeed in business. You must get very focused on taking good care of YOU – eating properly, exercising, getting a good amount of sleep and having fun.

Action step: Where are you stuck, or feeling lost? What is one thing you can incorporate into your plan (for success) to help you grow and move forward?

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. I love to learn – and I love to implement the new things that I learn. As entrepreneurs, we can get caught up in going to workshops, and reading books, that are the ‘trend’ – and that’s ok. For me, however, I like to break out of the mold on an annual basis and attend workshops that cause me to stretch my comfort zone, meet people who are in totally different fields and read books that cause my brain to go ‘what?????”. Every August, my birthday gift to me, is to attend the “Global Leadership Summit” hosted by Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. They have an incredible line-up of speakers – and resources. What event can you find that will cause you to stretch and learn differently?

For many women entrepreneurs, finances are an area of conce
– not charging enough, not making enough, and, quite frankly, not even understanding the numbers they need to grow their business. This is an epidemic. While we are all ‘working our passion’, business is business and it is critical to know your numbers. This may be your #1 area of Professional Development for this year.

Action Step: Hire a book-keeper – and schedule time, on a regular basis, to meet with that professional and understand the REAL picture of what’s going on in your business.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. This has been a year of major technological changes in my business. I encourage you to examine your business, from the inside out, and make some changes and/or some upgrades – it can be technological, environmental, memberships, subscriptions and so on. You will be amazed at the difference this can make in your effectiveness and productivity.

Action Step: Take an inventory of what is working in your business – and what is not. Commit to making 3 changes this week. Celebrate those changes and the productivity increases that these changes will create.

Conclusion:

If you are feeling lost in your business, and perhaps in your personal life, right now – then it is time to stop looking at the clock and functioning on a day-to-day basis. Rather, pull out the compass and start to plan long-term. You ARE in it for the long-term, right?
The future is bright – and you hold the flashlight!