6 Steps To Help Develop Your Business Vision
Without a clear vision of what you want to do, where you want to go, or what you,
success will be much more difficult – even impossible – to achieve. How can you
know what to do – what actions to take - if you don’t know where you’re going?
Not having a vision is like sailing without a destination. You end up on the Sea of
Destiny without a port, wandering the ocean aimlessly, getting blown in whatever
direction the wind is headed. When a challenging storm bears down, the gale-force
winds will likely capsize your latest plans immediately. You’ll end up looking like you
were aboard the Ship of Fools.
Having a clear vision and mission is what gives you that destination. Even though
gale-force challenges may temporarily capsize your progress, you’ll more easily be
able to get back on course and reach your objectives.
Contrary to what many people think, not all visions magically appear. They can
take time - requiring introspection, self-analysis, and journaling. It also helps to
review your past successes and – just as important – your past disappointments
and failures. Draw on your dream, talents and desire. Observe your reasons to
want to be in business.
The first place to look when developing your vision is within – to that deeper
inner self. You can draw upon your talent, dreams and desires, or whatever
other avenues help you uncover those nuggets that will become your
navigational beacons in life.
Unfortunately, there are usually no shortcuts in creating your vision. You
can’t just “make it up”; it takes WORK. But the rewards for doing this work
can save you years – even a lifetime – of frustration by enabling you and
your customers to live the life one is destined for.
6 Steps To Help Develop Your Business Vision
Step 1: Listen and Look Within
The vision you create for your business begins in your mind and heart. It is
something you can feel, taste, see, hear and touch with your soul.
Since vision starts within, it makes sense to listen and feel what your mind
and soul really want. What stirs your heart? What is your greatest desire?
What do you dream about?
In this sacred space, your heart, mind, and soul can more easily access what
might be called Source. What you can find there is your most Authentic Self.
Tap into this successfully, and your vision is likely to spring forth easily.
Bottom line: Make sure your vision comes from within. If what you want to
pursue does not truly come your inner depths, it will likely be impossible to
achieve.
Step 2: Seek the Help of Others; Make It a Team Sport
We do not live in a bubble. Utilize a team where you can. Heed the advice of
a person who has more experiences in you. Find a coach or seek help from
friends who know you well. They can help you confirm or question your own
observations and provide a reality check.
Creating a MasterMind Group of 4-6 people also working on their vision can be
extremely powerful. Use weekly or semi-weekly calls to support each other
and keep the momentum going.
Asking and using others for guidance not only helps you with your own vision;
it also puts you on the receiving end of help. This experience will in turn help
you when you are helping others with their vision. You’ll have done the
proverbial “walk in their shoes”.
Step 3: Ask (the Right) Questions
Ask the questions that provoke and encourage answers to the deeper questions.
These might include:
• What is the single most important thing my business needs to go to the next
level and further help my customers best?
• What are the three most important actions I need to take in order to increase
my sales or income?
• What are the three most important changes I need to make in order to help me
and/or my customers accomplish my/their objectives?
• What is the single biggest challenge that – if resolved – would most help me or
my customers.
Step 4: Identity the Problems Holding You Back
Sometimes we’re just plain stuck. What about you? Where are your points of
“stuck-ed-ness”? Discussing it with others – especially your coach and
MasterMind team – is a powerful way to uncover the detours around or through
the roadblocks holding you back from developing your vision.
There are times when we must first clear the rocks off the trail before we can
continue on our path of self-discovery. Moving these out of the way helps
unblock the energy flow, enabling us to more easily tap into the Source for
answers.
Step 5: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Short & Simple)
Once you have a pretty good idea of your vision, simplify it. Keep honing it
down and find ways to bring more clarity. Be brutal; in fact go for what is
sometimes call “brutal clarity of purpose”.
The lesson: try simplifying or removing extraneous parts of your vision. Ask
yourself, “Does it help – or hinder? If it helps, keep the change. If it doesn’t,
put it back. Continue with this process until you have the best picture you can.
Step 6: Take Action and “Go For It!”
Nothing happens without action. Once you have come up with a Vision that
seems to fit well, ACT ON IT. It might not be perfect, but if it’s “good enough”,
then get going! You can always “course correct” as you go along.
Don’t get bogged down in thinking about HOW you’re going to get there.
Momentum is a powerful force, perhaps THE most important force when you’re
first embarking for your Vision.
A sailor on a long voyage can never know for sure the exact course they will
take to their destination. He/she will need to constantly make corrections for
winds, current, and unforeseen challenges along the route. In the same way,
you can tweak and adapt your own journey.
Conclusion
Developing a Vision and acting on it is one of the most essential steps to
creating a successful business.
Try these 6 ideas to help you do this. If something works for you, use it! If
it doesn’t, discard it. We all have our own best ways of finding and
developing our Vision. What matters most is that you do it, then act on it.
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