If you participate in any sort of athletic activity (running, biking, hiking, walking, etc.), there is much to learn about achievement that can be aptly applied to your business. Like today, while completing a 6 mile pace run in preparation for an upcoming half-marathon, I learned that when I take myself to the limits of my physical capabilities, I discover a missing ingredient that will expand those limits.
Generally, I don’t like to sweat, feel pain, breathe heavy or do anything exhausting. This makes training for long-distance events somewhat ‘interesting’. However, I have an expectation of improvement from my training efforts therefore I move forward with activities I dislike.
Many business owners feel much the same way toward business development activities. Growing a smart business takes effort. Business planning takes time. A competitive analysis requires extensive time and research. Tweaking and tuning a value proposition is challenging. Developing relationships takes time, tact, and talent. We’d much rather apply the pasta principle – throw it against the wall and see what sticks – then invest time, energy and sweat into such agonizing activities.
Yet, when you have an expectation of success from your smart business, you, too, must persevere through activities you loathe. If you let each pursuit be its own teacher, it will inform, guide, or clarify in a way that enlarges any perceived achievement limits.
What helps you move past your limits to your smart buisness?
