My word for 2019 was ‘discerning’.
At the start of the year I knew it was time for me to consolidate all the great work I’d been fortunate to secure, and develop myself as a businessowner. That required looking inwards, recognising my own strengths and using these more, as well as noting where there was room for growth and choosing what growth would look like.
The result has been beyond my expectations. By developing discernment in all areas, I’ve found my true voice and direction. I’ve learnt some hard lessons, developed new-found confidence and resilience, forged new relationships and deepened ones that really matter. And, I have re-learnt that I don’t need to look externally for the answers.
I am very, very excited for the new decade.
I read somewhere recently about foresight being planning for what we think will happen before it happens. In the context of business and work we can look at this as preparing for what we want to happen: defining a vision, setting intentions and goals based on our desires, and taking action to make it all come about.
This is an excellent time to imagine, plan and prepare. There are many resources online that guide entrepreneurs and businessowners through goal-setting and planning processes. Here, I want to outline the five important steps I take each year in my own business to see full possibility and realise full potential.
Five Steps that will Move You Ever Closer to Your Vision
1. Get clear on what you want
If you don’t know what you truly want to see in your life, how can you plan for it? It’s like getting on the motorway without a real destination in mind – something I’m sure you wouldn’t do, so why run your business that way? A few questions you can ask yourself are:
How do you want your business to look in 3 years, 5 years, 10 years? If that feels daunting, how about 3 months, 6 months, 12 months? In an ideal world how will you spend your working week? Who will you be with? What will you be doing? What does ‘joy’ feel like in your work? Prepare a road map with that clear destination (VISION); create a vision board so you really see it. Remind yourself what this journey means for your business and your life (INTENTIONS). Plot your route - set clear signposts along the way (GOALS). Then start moving (ACTION).
2. Ditch the fear
Your true greatness is on the other side of fear. If you’re scared to do something it usually means it really matters or that it will really make a difference. Don’t let fear stop you in your tracks. Instead, notice what you can learn from the fear and use that to propel you into motion.
3. Create an environment for success
The most important environment to cultivate is your MINDSET. If you believe you can, you will and if you don’t, you won’t. Focus on the best version of yourself, reflect on how well you are already measuring up, and remind yourself of this daily. Then question what you can do to show up even more authentically and look for opportunities to grow. Create an environment where you see any failure as learning and open up to continued development and opportunity. Share your ideas, collaborate with like-minded people and ask for help. Find MENTORS to support and guide you. Develop and cultivate healthy business and personal relationships. It’s said that you are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with - spend time with people who bring you joy and in turn bring joy! Keep going. With MOMENTUM comes a cascade of learning and success.
4. Take purposeful action
As you’re clear on what you want, ensure every action you take is in service of your vision and intentions. If something comes along that doesn’t feel aligned, say ‘no’ and know that in saying ‘no’ you are saying ‘yes’ to your vision, intentions and goals. Be confident and trust your gut instinct; if it doesn’t ‘feel’ right then it usually isn’t. If it does ‘feel’ right, even though it may not be logical, it usually is right – so go for it and know that whatever the outcome, you will grow.
5. Acknowledge and celebrate your progress
It’s very easy to drive forward without stopping to reflect on what you’ve accomplished or how far you’ve come. When you’re crossing the ocean – it can be a long time before you see land on the horizon. It can feel like you’re making very little headway if you forget to look back to see how far you’ve come from shore. So, make time to stop and reflect on the distance you’ve covered. Celebrate what you’ve done well and what you’re learning and remember that every step counts!
I’ve got loads of resources on my website under FREE GUIDES and TOOLKITS - Enter your email, choose a password, and you’ll be able to download helpful PDFs straightaway.
Here’s to joyful and inspired planning for your best decade ever!
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