Do you have a vision for the future in your business?
Put you hands up if you can see the future!
I have been amazed over the years how simply having a strong vision of the future I wanted, needed, would like, has resulted in arriving, at some point with that vision a reality. Sometimes it has been a goal I have written down, visualized. and then completely forgotten about only to dig up my (current at that time) goal book and been surprised to see what is now reality, written down. But I know, because this has happened many times that the power seems to come from the ability to picture some form of it, in my head. Sounds weird to some people and to others it's something they do all the time.
Which leads to my question(s):
What experience have you had of this and is it something that many of you do?
And, do you do it consciously as part of your program to create reality?
To me this is all about the power of attraction and I see it all the time! It's so much fun to see how it can work and how things arrive when you are ready for them. You can ask before you are ready, but the results/solution won't necessarily appear until you are in the right space. I've had this happen in my business so many times and to me it shows that there is growth and advancement all the time, which is fabulous!
So yes, I use it consciously - if I start thinking of bad things I correct myself and modify it so I'm attracting a better solution. :)
As Jim Collins stated in his book "Good to Great" many years ago, having a vision of your future is a critical sign of a company that is going to succeed. It is important not just so you can tell customers but so you can test all opportunities against your vision to see whether you should spend time following it.
I love those moments when you discover that you unknowingly reached a previous goal you'd set for yourself, Tim. It's like a little bit of magic in the business world!
Although I've had this happen to me, I didn't have a conscious process in realising that particular goal, so not sure if it was plain luck or an element of stubbornness to keep trying, and I got there by default?
I am definitely more purposeful about the Vision for my business these days though, and that does involve an annual plan process. This year I am experimenting with a new method that involves mapping out my goals with doodles.
For example, instead of just writing something like "I want to achieve x turnover this year", I am drawing a small picture next to the statement of what achieving that goal means to me, such as a simple beach sunset scene with a stick figure family. It's my way of connecting the goal to the end result. Let's see how it goes :)
Not just a vision - a goal without a plan is just a dream.
It doesn't matter if those plans change (expect them to!) but the process of mapping it out is invaluable to getting where you see yourself, to realise your full potential.
Always assume everything will change. Business is complex like solving an intricate algebra problem. Getting one variable figured out doesn’t necessarily give you the solution immediately. It is important to understand that you can have great resources, research and still produce things that don’t produce results.
Most importantly, never lose sight of providing value to your customers. Without customers, you don’t really have a business - you either have a hobby or a passion. So if you ever stop engaging with your customers, don’t be surprised if your business starts to experience a drop or steady decline.
I mention this because customers are always changing (their needs, desires, demographics, geography, life events, etc.). That is why it is important to constantly engage with them and gather feedback.
Customer is key @Jef Lippiatt ! Great insight
Would love to hear yours @Nikki Williams @Jef Lippiatt @Bronwen Sciortino @Keith Rowley @Rod Wills @Steve Gray
Tim Greig, Owner at Green Galah Pty Ltd
Yes, interesting that you have to be in the right space. I had forgotten about that. The right space can sometimes be the next day...or years away!