When was the last time you spent time on the “why” of your business?
Why do you do what you do?
How do you define success?
And what would your business look like in a perfect world?
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock and article originally published through the Forbes Coaches Council.
Often, we’re focused on fixing problems, chasing opportunities and keeping up with industry shifts, causing us to overlook the foundation on which we built our business — our “why.” When we lose sight or forget our “why,” we’re more likely to lose our way, like sailing a ship without a rudder. This is dangerous because now we’re at the mercy of the strongest prevailing wind.
In simple terms, a business vision describes where your business is going and how you’ll know when you’ve arrived. A business mission statement is your “why.” What does success look like to you, and why are you working so hard to get there?
A business vision requires you to get real about your personal and business ambitions. How do you define success? What will it take to get there, and how will you know when you do? We’ll get into the nuts and bolts of creating a vision and mission statement in another article, but for now, let’s take some time to dream big.
What are your dreams?
To get maximum impact, let’s park the reality filter at the door. This is a time to envision your business as if there were no obstacles or impediments.
If you are a hard-wired, get-it-done, analytical person and structure is your favourite tool, then this is going to be a challenge for you because it requires trusting in a side of you that you don’t tap into very often — your creative side rather than your analytical side.
Find a quiet spot, free up your calendar, turn off the phone (not just the ringer — turn it off), turn off your email notifications and do the following exercises.
Exercise 1: You’re telling your grandchildren about your life
It doesn’t matter if you have a family or not, or even if you don’t want one. This is an exercise in possibilities. So, answer the following as if you’re telling the ideal story of your career to your grandchildren.
1. What did you do and why? What was the best part of your workday and why?
2. How large was your company? How many employees did you have? How many locations did you run?
3. What achievements are you most proud of? How did your business contribute to other people’s lives?
4. What will you be remembered for? What was it about you that kept your competition up at night?
5. How did you define success? How did your business help build your ideal life?
6. Who took over? Did you sell, close up or transfer ownership to your family?
7. What is your legacy?
Spend about 20 minutes thinking about these questions, and then start writing things down. Don’t self-edit; just free-flow and write what comes to you. It will give you a good sense of what is important and how to get there.
Exercise 2: You’re being given a prestigious award for business excellence
1. In the summary that is read as the award is presented, what will the speaker say about you and your business?
2. What kind of an award is it — humanitarian, entrepreneurship, innovation, business excellence? Is it for you or your company?
3. What accomplishments are being highlighted? What are you most proud of?
4. Where are you receiving the award? Is it local, provincial, national, international?
5. Who will be in attendance? Who are your peers or contemporaries?
6. What would the accompanying media coverage say?
Now, write the story. It doesn’t have to be formatted correctly; just write the story of your success. What would it say? What accomplishments are included? Who’s quoted? Which business leaders will celebrate your success, and what will they say?
Exercise 3: Wave a magic wand
If you could wave a magic wand for all obstacles to disappear, what would your business look like?
1. If there were no barriers, what would you do and why? Many of us spend our lives in a job rather than a career because life happens. What would you do if there were no obstacles?
2. In an ideal world, where would your business be positioned? What would you be known for?
3. What about you keeps your competition up at night? Why? What is your unique value proposition, and how did you get there?
4. What will your legacy be? What will your company be known for in the future? What was your role in that success?
5. What is the best part of your business? What have you achieved? How did you get there?
Create your vision and mission statement
Now, put the papers away for a couple of days before looking at the common themes. Do you see some common words, goals or wishes? Start writing these down.
Your vision for your business is what you want it to be. Your mission statement is what you want to be known for. In other words, the vision is the “what,” and the mission statement is the “why.”
Top Tip: Give yourself permission to dream big, and test your dreams and vision with a trusted friend who will give you honest and constructive feedback.
By following these exercises, you can remind yourself of your purpose, reinforce your forgotten “why,” and stabilize yourself, your business and your people. No longer will you be easily blown by any wind; instead, you’re steering a chartered course with a clear vision and a steady hand on the rudder.
Successful professionals know they have unlimited potential.
Go back to your notes and dream even bigger.
Now is the time to put a stake in the ground and stop playing it small.
In your wildest dreams, dare to be that amazing, brilliantly bright star that you and others admire and want to follow.
Consider what’s possible. What’s your big vision and dream? Rise to your greatest expectations!
Christine coaches with ROI top-of-mind. Many companies who leverage her coaching produce quick and long-lasting results transforming people, processes and culture, impacting their bottom line.
Her time with clients generates powerful results in:
- Business and Personal Development
- Communication and Relationships
- Sales and Sales Leadership
Watching and learning at the feet of titans of Canada’s Wall Street and other business leaders, Coach Christine was influenced by their success and built a corporate career and coaching business founded on proven business practices.
She is an award-winning business woman and contributor to Forbes publications; is an accredited coach with the International Coaching Federation; a practitioner of Conscious Business practices; is certified by the IMPACT: Coaching with ROI program; holds her First and Second Degree Reiki and has studied Aboriginal healing for over 20 years.
Christine loves the adventure of travel and has a knock-out collection of snazzy women’s shoes.
When you want more, are ready to bust obstacles and build your juicy, big life, contact me, Coach Christine Culbertson.