One of the first questions I ask my clients at the beginning of the coaching relationship is “What would your business look like if it was exactly where you want it to be?” Another way of asking “What is your vision for your business?” At first I was surprised when I received the answer “I don’t know” or “I can tell you what it is not!” Over time I have learned that about 90% or more will answer this way.
Of course, the next question is “If you don’t know what your business will look like if it was your perfect vision, then how are you going to get there or anywhere?” Most people haven’t stopped to plan out their business picture, or to even spend time brainstorming, because they are too busy just trying to keep things going. They are putting out fires or trying to make payroll. They are using all of their creative energy to make everything work over the next month.
Will You Burnout before You Create Your Vision
The major red flag here is that in a year or two (sometimes more) of just keeping everything afloat, you may become tired and even burned out. This lends itself to wondering why you ever went into your own business to begin with. Even if you get help at this time, the idea of making the changes you need to create a business you would desire owning and leading, feels like you are standing at the bottom of Mt. Everest with some gloves and a rope with a guide saying “Come on You can do it!” Yeah right.
Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
So right now I am asking you “If you could wave a magic wand and have your dream business, what would it look like? What would it look like in 5 years? 10 Years?” Do you have an answer? If not, try to take some time over the next two weeks and DREAM. Here are some random tips that may help get your creative juices flowing:
- PRAY! God is interested in our business. Everything we have comes from God. Ask Him for His vision for your business. Tell God that you want to grow a business that would glorify Him. Pray that His Holy Spirit would be with you as you develop the picture, description, and/or vision of your DREAM company. Pray it is a God Vision!
- MINDMAP! Mindmapping is a wonderful brainstorming/problem-solving/creating tool. It helps open up the right side of our brain. One book I recommend is The Mind Map Book by Tony Buzan. I learned how to do my own mind maps because I like to get out my markers and pens and create on paper still! The have all kinds of software to do mindmapping. Some are Free and some you buy. I have used a couple of the free ones and they work fine. You can find a list of mind-mapping software here! You may even get some other key individuals in your organization or a business coach to help you brainstorm!
- READ! A great book that inspired me to really focus the vision for my business was Andy Stanley’s Visioneering. I like this because it focuses on God’s vision for our business!
- JOURNAL! Begin to journal about what your business would look like if it was exactly how you wanted it! Jot down ideas. Do stream of consciousness writing, which is to write whatever comes to mind. Just begin to write down the components – mission, team, foundational systems, culture, marketing plans, etc.
Once you have a strong vision of your DREAM company then you can begin to work on the roadmap to get there!!
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