“Hey, it’s Kevin. I was reviewing my business plan and updating it for 2014,” the message said on my voicemail. “On the first page is my Perfect Life essay. A couple of years ago, I wrote about the home I wanted to live in with my family. I described it in detail and even drew a floor plan.
“Get this: I am building the house that I described in my essay,” Kevin goes on. “We hope to be in by Christmas. Ellen, when I decide what I want, write it down and work for it, it happens. Just wanted you to know. I know you like to hear good news.”
I do! I remember when I met with Kevin four years ago, and his goal was to hit $1 million in sales.
His goal for 2013 is $6 million, and he is just about there with a few weeks left to go in the year.
More good news.
Money isn’t everything, but money helps.
A booming business can help you achieve your life goals. What is it for you? Is it your desire to build your dream home? Is it time for you to finally address the succession plan at your company? What about getting past the 2-3 truck sticking point that has you firmly in the “on call” rotation? Maybe you are not sure what your next goals are. You’ve been on autopilot for a while, and you are ready to make some changes – just not sure what they should be.
Here’s a typical one-day agenda that could help you down that path:
• Discover what you really want. What do you really, really want? Dust off your dreams and explore the most compelling reasons you started your business in the first place. Write your Perfect Life essay.
• Consider your mission, your purpose and your commitment to health and wealth and happiness – for you, your family, your team and your community.
• Tour your company with fresh eyes, and hear from the great people who work with you. How cool to get their input and expand their opportunities.
• Assemble your list of annual goals. Make sure they are clear, specific milestones worth pursuing.
• Review your organizational chart, or build one for the first time, and discover how you can work even better as a team.
• Update your budget and selling prices to support your goals and measure progress. Consider how to fund your next steps and provide for your team members.
• Put together a master to-do list and top projects list, so you can take aligned and purposeful action in the direction of your dreams. Figure out how to have team members help, too, so it isn’t all on you.
• Have some fun. Making money and building businesses is a blast. While you will get things done, you can laugh and keep it light. Positive energy leads to positive results.
You can do this. 2014 looms as a blank canvas. You can make this year your best year yet.
Or in the blink of an eye, it will be December 2014. The work to revamp, recharge and supercharge your business will be behind you or ahead of you still.
What’s it going to be?
Ellen Rohr is an author and business consultant who helps entrepreneurs start, fix and grow their businesses. She conducts a monthly webinar, and her books include “Where Did the Money Go?” and “The Bare Bones Weekend Biz Plan.” She can be reached at ellen@barebonesbiz.com.[[In-content Ad]]
