I live in Los Angeles. No one, I mean no one gets into their car without a clearly defined purpose, destination, and directions – or at a minimum, Google maps.
When getting on the freeway to go anywhere means puttering along at a whopping 15 mph. When traveling to an event requires twice as much time as the event itself. When something as simple as a trip to Home Depot is planned strategically to avoid school dismissal and long lines at stoplights. You know planning is purposeful.
Yet, few business owners are as clear about their destination for their small business.
Whoomp There It Is
It happens without notice. No amber light signals a warning; nor a red light that forces us to stop and take inventory…if only for minute.
The business clarity with which we launched our enterprise melts into a puddle of things to do. We lose sight of the destination we were certain to realize. The lights are on green but the road is rough, the traffic is heavy, and we’re traveling in circles.
Time and energy is wrapped into keeping one’s head above water rather than on a trajectory forward.
In the Absence of a Small Business Destination…
…any road will do. Minus a strategic destination, your schedule is not your own. Others easily control your time.
Lacking a clear destination, you don’t know where it’s best to invest resources. You become a nomad – a wandering generality.
Without a destination that is filled with intent, purpose, and planning, business is chaotic.
From Clutter to Clarity
The free dictionary aptly describes clutter as being a confused or disordered state. Considering one’s state of mind in the absence of a clear target, that sounds about right.
Honestly, would you ever leave your home minus a destination? What would be the point? Yet, each and every day, over 77% of all small business owners failed to achieve their vision. Why? They launched onto the freeways of their business with no clear target.
Less Doing…More Thinking
What do you really want? If you answer that question honestly, you might be surprised to learn that it’s not what you think. Many of your true intentions are best described as hidden goals.
How will you get there? Someone once said that the most important step in any project or toward any destination is the first one you take. That’s sound advice…once you’re clear on your end game.
What resources are you willing to invest? The notion once touted in the 80’s of “having it all” doesn’t exist. There is a price to be paid in time and treasure relative to the breadth and depth of the destination.
What tradeoffs are you willing to make? If the price you have to pay is greater than the risk, will it be worth the compromises that are required? It’s okay if you’re not willing to make the tradeoff. Revise the destination. Is the risk worth the reward? What will you have to risk?
Think about it: Where are you going with your business?
