Doubling your income, doubling the number of clients you work with, doubling your enjoyment of having a thriving business, doubling how you experience life… doesn’t always require a major overhaul.
It only requires two simple things:
Set the intention via a clear GOAL &
Get into ACTION!
I believe that goals and taking action can take you beyond your limits to a world of unlimited possibilities.
But you have to set the right type of goals in order to take the right actions.
Many people set goals, and specifically business goals, that are “uninspiring”– goals to only get enough to pay the bills, to get by, to survive, to make it through the day. In short, many are caught up in the trap of only making a living rather than designing an enjoyable life.
The problem is that lousy goals will not take you beyond your limits into a world of unlimited possibilities.
You need to start dreaming bigger, and start getting clearer on the things you really want!
When we first set large goals, they may seem impossible to achieve. But the most important key to goal setting is to find a goal big enough to inspire you – something that will cause you to unleash the power within you.
The way I usually know I’ve set the right goal is when it seems impossible but at the same time it’s giving me a sense of crazed excitement just to think about the possibility of achieving it.
For me, achieving those big goals is like building a 2000 piece puzzle. (Oh, did I mention I love puzzles? LOL).
So, let me explain….
Imagine trying to solve a 2000 piece puzzle without looking at the picture on the box. I bet it will be an extremely difficult task and you might even give up at some stage. But when you have the puzzle picture right next to you, solving that puzzle becomes a whole lot easier.
It is the same with setting and achieving your goals for this year and beyond.
When you think about what you want for your business this year, it might be to achieve a certain level of income; or work with a certain number of clients per month; or create a new way of serving clients; or…[fill in your goal].
That is your puzzle picture.
That is the picture you must keep in your mind so that it can direct all your actions.
And then equally important is to really look at this picture so that the details can become more and more visible.
Because when you are clear about what you want (i.e. when you have a clear picture of your dreams and your goals) and are really inspired on achieving it, your brain has an amazing power to pick up information and decipher opportunities. You then become hypersensitive to strategies, ideas, people and plans that can help you meet those goals.
But having that clear picture about your goals is not merely enough.
It is also necessary to take persistent action on all the opportunities, strategies, ideas and plans that present themselves to you.
Let’s go back to our puzzle example to illustrate this.
You see, if you’re just staring at, and admiring the picture on the puzzle box, and taking in all the beautiful details, the puzzle can’t be completed.
You need to take action, empty the puzzle box on a table and start turning over the pieces one by one.
Only then can you slowly start building the puzzle, one piece at a time.
In the beginning it might seem like an impossible task and you might try to put pieces together that just don’t fit.
But when you persist and consult the puzzle picture regularly, you’ll start taking in the details and you’ll start to look for, and find the pieces that obviously fit together. Only then a small recognizable piece of the overall puzzle will start to take shape.
As you progress with one piece at a time, the bigger picture unfolds and eventually the puzzle on the table represents the picture on the box.
That is when you achieved your goal.
Tony Robbins says that: “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. It is the foundation for all success in life.”
So take that first step in doubling your results this year.
Set the goal.
And then, follow up on it with consistent action.
Remember, your goals provide a magnificent direction and a way to focus your attention on those things you regard as important to you. Keep it at your side – just like you’ll keep the picture on the puzzle box next to you when you solve a puzzle.
No goal or dream for this year is impossible. You can do it!
Here are some practical action steps to help.
Grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite drink).
Find a quiet place and start dreaming about your business (or your life). What do you want your business to be like in future? What would you like to have? Don’t limit your thoughts – just dream.
Put in some details. Build on that dream and get a clear, vivid picture of it in your mind.
Put all your thoughts on paper or create a visible vision board.
Keep it close where you can consult it every day.
Create a couple of shorter-term goals. Goals that excite you and will move you closer to that dream.
Decide what is the first step (or next step) you can take TODAY to put you on the journey of achieving that goal.
Then go out and DO it.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 until you reach that goal.
Finally. Enjoy the journey!!
To Your Success
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Click on the button below and get my “secret weapon”, marketing strategy to help you attract and win more clients.
After all, who wouldn’t want to get clients from all over the world and have sales come in while you are sleeping?
But, even though online marketing absolutely works, your best clients might be those directly under your nose.
There are still many people who don’t use the Internet to its full capacity and can only be reached offline. Thus there is a potentially large “offline” audience you can tap into. People that may never know about your presence online.
And by combining on-line strategies with creative off-line marketing strategies, you will build your business so much faster.
Here are 5 creative & cost-effective offline marketing strategies to complement your online efforts
1. Use The Media.
Believe it or not, your local media is probably just waiting for you to call them with a great story idea! And no, this is not about placing an ad in the local newspapers. This is about having a full-scale article about you and your business in the media. Newspapers, radio stations and magazines are always looking for stories to fill up their pages or broadcasting time.
Take advantage of it – it’s free!
Contact typical publications that your target market reads. Provide them with a newsworthy story or ask them to write a profile on your business. Talk about your services and especially what gaps you fill with regards to what your target market needs. Make it interesting and full of benefits to the readers to give them reasons to visit your website, or to contact you.
2. Network, network, network
Join networking organizations for small businesses. Attend events and meetings near you where you can find your target audience. Attend conventions, shows or exhibitions, or even just an organised social event.
By networking and joining groups, you get to know more people, have the ability to share ideas and knowledge, raise the visibility of your expertise and business, and create opportunities for getting new clients. Remember, networking is not only about getting clients. It is also about building a network of people that might refer you to others.
Thus, as you build your network of friends and acquaintances, always think about what YOU can contribute and how you can make the life better for others. In successful networking first be a giver, then you’ll become a receiver of good fortune coming your way.
3. Use “Snail-mail”
Traditional mail could be considered a little old fashioned these days, simply because sending an email is so easy, cost effective and measurable. The old way of doing it – writing a letter by hand, stuffing it in an envelope, buying a stamp and posting the letter at the post-office – seems distinctly primitive.
But the beauty is: it catches the eye and can talk to those who didn’t even know they were looking for your business!
Use traditional mail to send prospects an introduction letter about your business, an interesting newsletter, a thank-you note or a birthday card. The key is to start getting creative and to use snail-mail to rise above the clutter.
4. Put your web address everywhere
Got a car? Stick your website address on the back. Print it on the t-shirt you wear to the gym or the one you use for your morning jog. Print it on some promotional items link pens, notepads, keyrings, beer mats – anything you can think off.
The internet has greatly removed the need for you to print fancy advertisements or logos. Now all you need is to help people remember what to type into Google.
5. Speak to people
Many years back, face-to-face marketing was THE trend for promoting business. If you wanted to be successful, you had to go out and meet people to introduce your business.
With the onset of the internet it rapidly changed and business owners began to rely on email, telemarketing, and internet promotions to attract new clients. No more going out, meeting people and speaking to them face-to-face.
But, when you just start out, face-to-face marketing is STILL the most efficient way of getting clients fast. And speaking to larger audiences – even better.
Imagine how impressive you’ll appear if you actually visit your prospects and take the time to talk to them and discuss their needs. You will definitely stand out. A little effort and time on your part can make a difference and send a strong message that you care enough to meet and talk with your clients and prospects.
When planning your marketing activities, the ultimate goal is to have all your marketing efforts supporting each other.
What I want you to take away from this article is to take some time out of your schedule, assess your current situation, take stock of your marketing resources and consider some ways where offline marketing can help your online efforts to take your business forward.
Then share with us below the offline marketing techniques you already apply or what you intent to implement / try out in future.
When it comes to making the leap from employment to entrepreneurship, do you follow your heart, your gut or the money?
For many, the safest option is to follow all three and to start a new business part-time so that they can start working on their dream, while having the safety of a monthly paycheck.
There is nothing wrong with the approach of starting your own business part-time. In-fact I often recommend it because you first need to live and pay the bills. You cannot just jump ship if there is no certain way to support yourself financially.
There are however some underlying pitfalls to be aware off when you’re doing it part-time.
Pitfall #1: Keeping your job as a “backup plan”
Having a back-up plan is good, but it often originates from thinking of “hownot to lose” should things go wrong and don’t work out with your new business.
The problem with keeping your job as a “backup plan”, is that it will dilute your focus. It will subconsciously prevent you from giving your new business your all….because there is a fall-back option. For example, if something goes wrong with your new business, you’ll feel you can always fall back on you current career. So you didn’t lose anything.
Don’t keep your job as a back-up plan, but keep it as financial support while you’re getting your new business up and running.
Pitfall #2: Finding time and energy to work on your new business..
Building your part-time business to a level where you can leave your day job can take longer than you initially expected. The reason for this is that most of your productive hours are spent at work (in your job). Thus, you can only really work on your own business after hours.
For example, if you wake up at 6am, get to work by 8am, spend eight hours at work, another one or so commuting and another hour or three tending to family matters in the evenings, you might be exhausted by the time you are ready to work on your own business.
Therefor, it sometimes takes will-power, persistence and an extraordinary effort to get anything worthwhile accomplished during those scraps of available time.
Find ways to keep your energy levels up during the day, so that you still have enough energy and motivation left when it is time to work on your business.
Pitfall #3: Transitioning without a plan…
Part-time entrepreneurs often struggle because they do not have a plan on how to transition from their job into a self-owned business career. Many simply hope things will work out for their new business.
And when things don’t work out as expected, they are disappointed and often times blame themselves for not being good enough or knowledgeable enough to make their dreams a reality. A bad place to be in…
So , What is the solution?
The solution to working part-time on your new business and slowly transition from your job into a full-time business, is to develop a plan that is built around your new business goals.
Focus on what you want and not what you will leave behind.
This changes your mind-set from “how not to lose” into a mind-set of “how to win”…where you win the business and lifestyle you want by reaching your business goals – even if it requires hard work, courage and persistence.
Here’s how you do it.
1. Develop an Action Plan
Understand the reasons WHY you want to have your own business. Those reasons will more often than not carry you through the difficult times.
Then create a plan where your new business is your primary goal and clarify what you will and won’t do to make it a reality.
Create time in your daily schedule to work on your new business (e.g. before work, during lunch, after hours) and set a due date when you want to make the final transition.
Be persistent and work on your plan daily.
Don’t make it a plan about: here is what I must do in order NOT TO LOSE, but rather focus on here is what I must do in order TO WIN! This approach will make it more likely to accomplish your business plans.
2. Take Care of the Financials
Money, or the lack there-off, is often a make-or-break factor when starting your own business. Within your action plan think about ways to:
Reduce your current monthly expenses,
Save bigger chunks of your monthly pay check, and
Start using only the income from your new business to pay for living costs.
This approach will help minimise the impact of cutting your income when you eventually decide to go full-time into your new business. On the up-side you will also have a nice savings account that can form a buffer for the first couple of months after the full transition.
3. Think Long-term
When you are in a job, you can see an immediate result on your efforts in the form of a monthly paycheck.
However, in your own business the results of your efforts may not show up immediately. Getting a new business stable often requires slow and steady work. The approach of thinking long-term will help you keep your eye on your business goals so that you don’t loose faith in the early months where you are still growing and figuring things out.
Remember…
NOTHING IN LIFE IS IMPOSSIBLE.
If having your own business or working from home is your dream, you will find a way to make it a reality.
…but I think humans are actually a lot like ogres.
Remember when Shrek was trying to explain to Donkey what ogres are like and had the “onions / layers” conversation with Donkey?
[Click video for dialoque]
Well, like ogres, humans are also wonderfully complex creatures…
We also have many layers and there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye. 🙂
But have you ever really think about…
How well do you know yourself and your layers?
How well do you know:
Who you really are as a person?
What makes you happy
What are you truly passionate about?
What do you want from your business…from life in general?
Why do you want it?
What motivates you?
What do you dislike?
What makes you angry?
What are your values?
What are your biggest fears?
What are your greatest strengths?
What will you do anything for (to have or get)?
Research has consistently shown that people, who truly understand these basic things about themselves, tend to be stronger performers and better leaders in their industries.
It’s not just about knowing your strengths and weaknesses; it is also about understanding your personality and knowing what is important to you because that knowledge drives your behavior and the decisions you make in life AND your business.
In business, understanding your own layers helps you make better decisions in terms of:
The services you offer
The type of clients you want to work with
How to interact with clients
How to perform your work on a daily basis
How to manage your business and resources to progress faster
How to promote your services and attract more ideal type clients
Success in life starts with clarity…
Knowing and understanding who you are, what you are willing to do, what you want in life and why you want it is often the starting point of creating a successful business…
…because only then you can direct your thoughts, plans and actions to achieve all the things you want.
To Your Success
PS: What are your thoughts? Share it with us in the comment section below. And if you enjoyed this article, it’s easy to share using the buttons below!
As service professionals and solo-preneurs, it is easy to get lost within all the different tasks we need to take care off. Tasks like client appointments, delivering a good service, taking care of admin, marketing, financial and strategic planning… and on top of that managing kids and family.
With so much going on, we often have very little time left to focus on all the important aspects of growing our business.
That’s why we pro-actively need to make time available.
The easiest way to create that important ‘focus time’ is to MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOURSELF…
Making appointments is part of everyday life.
If something is important, we normally schedule some time in our daily calendar to fit it in. These appointments can be anything from a business meeting with an important client; coffee time with a friend or that dreaded appointment at the dentist.
Making an appointment therefor has the following basic benefits.
It makes the event important in your mind.
You know that you have committed the time, and you cannot accommodate any other appointments or meetings in that same time slot without disrupting your original appointment.
It helps you plan your day and activities around that appointment.
So, making an appointment with yourself will have the same outcome, right? It will create space where you can allow yourself to focus on important things that need attention in order to grow you business.
During those ‘appointment’ times ensure all interruptions are turned off. Think about it. Would you enjoy it if a client answers a phone call or read an email during a meeting with you? Probably not. So, why would you take similar actions during a meeting with yourself? You are not less important than your clients, and acting to interruptions just diminishes the value you put on your own time. So, turn off those distractions 😉
Use those appointments with yourself to:
review your goals and to take action on your plans;
create a new product;
call previous clients to reconnect;
contact new clients and invite them to work with you;
create a new marketing campaign;
write a blog post;
write a newsletter to connect with your list.
Once making these appointments becomes a habit you’ll begin to see that huge To-Do list shrink away and your days will become much more productive.
So, here’s what I hope you take from this article…
If something is important to the growth of your business and it needs your attention, make an appointment with yourself. Focus and get it done!
Francis van Wyk is an experienced business and client attraction mentor who supports women solo-preneurs with planning and achieving business success online.
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To Your Success
