No prizes for guessing I am writing this on a train (always be inspired by what is around you!). It's a pertinent question though as sometimes we are so involved with the journey and activity of our business we forget where we are heading. When you love what you do (as is always the case when you are doing your Thing) it's easy to do it a lot and get busy. But busy-ness without direction can mean taking your eye off your goals.
Goals? Yes—you know—those goals and 'reasons for' that you have in your business. First and foremost, I am making the assumption that you are in business to make a profit, as that is the definition of a business (my years of studying Economics tell me this much!). I'm also making the assumption—seeing as you're on this blog and not an 'serious' business one—that you are also running your business as a way if expressing yourself, doing your Thing... call it what you will. So therefore your goals are going to include 'numbers' (£) and 'influence' (who and how you are helping).
So what are they then?
What's your income goal? What's your profit goal? (& if you think those are the same, then we need to talk!).
How are you reaching people? How many people do you want to help? How much 'x' do you want to sell so you are sharing the results and transformation that you offer? There are lots of goal-related questions you should be asking yourself and often.
When you have a new idea you need to put it alongside these goals. Yes, it's a brilliant new way to work, but will it make you money? Will it reach more people, than what you are doing right now? (..., etc.)
Now I am definitely one for shiny and new (see the article here about that...) but you need to have a checklist for all new ideas that relates to your aims and goals for your business. Otherwise it's easy to get distracted (ahem, I of course have never done this...).
Have your list of checklist questions that match with your goals to hand so that when you have a new idea or are greeted with a brand new opportunity you know right away if it's right for you and your business—or not!
It would be like getting on the train and not checking the route and just hopping on and off at stations that you liked the look of. Some of the stations may be linked to branch lines where you can take the scenic route to the same destination (& sometimes you want the scenic route as you're not in a hurry and want to enjoy the journey). Other stations might be dead-ends... A lot of the time you know you want to be on the fast train taking the direct route to your destination. If you want to get to your goals it's the same. Get clear on the right train for you—get settled in for the journey—and keep on the train 'til you get there. You can still enjoy the journey and look out the window... and you won't get lost!
Want to talk more about this?
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