Begin With The End In Mind
“Begin with the end in mind” is Habit 2 in Stephen Covey’s book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People”. In other words, create your business by design and not by default.
I see many businesses being created by default. They don’t have a clear picture of what their ideal business looks like before embarking on their business venture. They have no clear destination and end up chasing “shiny things” disguised as real opportunities. This usually results in more stress, lost focus, and eventual burnout.
On the other hand, I have seen clients’ businesses transformed by simply taking the time to develop and write a clear vision statement for their business. They develop a clear picture of what their ideal business (and life) looks like.
One of the easiest ways I know to write a vision statement is to do a stream of consciousness writing session where you sit down with a few sheets of paper, and just let the ideas flow. Write down everything that comes to mind. Don’t edit yourself. Also, write everything in present tense as if this is your current life. This process could take an hour or a few days.
Once you have written your vision statement, the next step is to create a plan that makes your vision a reality. It’s really that simple. But this will prove to be one of the most powerful tools in your business.
If you get up every morning and review your vision statement, you will find yourself drawn to the things that drive you closer to your ideal business (and ideal life). You will make better decisions, be more motivated, and you will know what you need to be doing to move your business forward to be more in line with your vision.
One of the arguments I sometimes get from clients is they don’t want to limit themselves by writing a vision statement. But, if done correctly, it is far from limiting. Your vision statement should be a living, breathing document that will change as your business develops and grows. You may rewrite it a few times over the years.
And that’s okay because you will develop new skills, new services, and new products. New opportunities will present themselves. By having a vision statement, you will know if these are real opportunities that fit within your business model, and you will know if the opportunity is something that will move your business forward in line with your vision.
Begin with the end in mind, and you will drastically increase the odds of finding the success you are seeking.
I see many businesses being created by default. They don’t have a clear picture of what their ideal business looks like before embarking on their business venture. They have no clear destination and end up chasing “shiny things” disguised as real opportunities. This usually results in more stress, lost focus, and eventual burnout.
On the other hand, I have seen clients’ businesses transformed by simply taking the time to develop and write a clear vision statement for their business. They develop a clear picture of what their ideal business (and life) looks like.
One of the easiest ways I know to write a vision statement is to do a stream of consciousness writing session where you sit down with a few sheets of paper, and just let the ideas flow. Write down everything that comes to mind. Don’t edit yourself. Also, write everything in present tense as if this is your current life. This process could take an hour or a few days.
Once you have written your vision statement, the next step is to create a plan that makes your vision a reality. It’s really that simple. But this will prove to be one of the most powerful tools in your business.
If you get up every morning and review your vision statement, you will find yourself drawn to the things that drive you closer to your ideal business (and ideal life). You will make better decisions, be more motivated, and you will know what you need to be doing to move your business forward to be more in line with your vision.
One of the arguments I sometimes get from clients is they don’t want to limit themselves by writing a vision statement. But, if done correctly, it is far from limiting. Your vision statement should be a living, breathing document that will change as your business develops and grows. You may rewrite it a few times over the years.
And that’s okay because you will develop new skills, new services, and new products. New opportunities will present themselves. By having a vision statement, you will know if these are real opportunities that fit within your business model, and you will know if the opportunity is something that will move your business forward in line with your vision.
Begin with the end in mind, and you will drastically increase the odds of finding the success you are seeking.
Labels: goals, marketing tools, small business, Stephen Covey, vision
posted by Mike Coleman @ 11:06 AM
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