After being t-boned, my car spun out and crashed straight into a wall.
Don’t worry I am fine. I went go-karting last weekend and in full transparency, I didn’t know how to operate the darn thing.
At first, I moved so slowly that everyone passed me.
Until, boom, someone hit me, and I didn’t know how to move forward.
I have to be honest. Stuck watching the other cars zip by felt very frustrating.
But eventually, my car reset, and off I went…
And with everyone so far ahead, the racetrack was now clear.
Putting my pedal to the medal, I gunned it, winning the race with the best overall lap time!
My point here is not to tell you what a terrible (yet very fast) driver I am.
It reminded me a lot of being an entrepreneur.
You get in the car and may not entirely know what you are doing.
Or maybe you think you know how to drive until you crash into a wall and are completely stuck, not knowing what to do next.
Perhaps you start strong in the race but are tired and just run out of gas.
Or maybe you got so far off track that you no longer have any motivation and want to throw in the towel.
But a great strategy can win the day even if you feel super behind.
So, how’s it going so far?
The fall can be an excellent time for a reset! New season, new you, right?
Okay, maybe you aren’t where you want to be.
But before you give up, remember that it feels the most challenging before any huge breakthrough when you are about to level up.
So, where do you go from here to develop a new strategy (you’ll actually stick to)?
Step 1: What’s important to you?
I get it.
There can be endless possibilities and expectations, and it’s easy to get caught up in the routine and forget what you want in the first place.
But is what you are doing right now working for you?
Knowing what’s meaningful to you is the first step to any strategy. Tap into what you truly desire.
Are you heading in the direction of what you want? Or are you doing what you feel you “should” be doing versus what you wish you were doing?
So, how do you discern what you truly want and who you want to be versus who you think you “should be” or what you “should do”?
Core Values
Revisit your intentions by tapping into your Core Values. What is meaningful to you? What do you value or admire most? When motivated, what is the one thing that drives you?
Clarifying your values helps both alignment and decision-making.
Read How to Overcome Indecision through Core Values for more.
Identity
If you find yourself continuously self-sabotaging, your identity may be to blame. You will subconsciously self-sabotage when your identity does not align with your goals.
Do you honestly believe that you can be the person who can achieve your dreams?
Is your self-perception aligned with your behavior?
If not, perhaps you are holding on to an old idea of success that is no longer relevant to who you are now. Maybe you are equating your worth with some archaic notion.
For more on identity, read Embrace Change Create a Better You.
Purpose
Most importantly, what are you deeply passionate about that lights up your soul? What will truly make you happy, and what is your reason for doing what you do in the first place? Losing your spark or motivation may result from a lack of a deeper purpose.
Your purpose is your North Star, guiding you while motivating you forward. And the deeper your why, the more motivation it will bring.
So if you do not have a profound reason tied to something greater than yourself, you will struggle to be motivated when times are tough. So, what is your greatest motivation for success?
Read How to Get Your Spark Back for more.
Step 2: Where do you want to go?
Once you understand what you truly desire, it’s time to figure out where to go from here.
Imagine you had a magic wand and could create your ideal life and business where anything is possible. What would you be, do, or have in your life? What does your life look like?
Crafting your vision is essential to success. After all, if you don’t know where you are heading, it will be challenging to get there.
Take a moment and imagine you want to build a house.
Everyone tells you to hire an architect, but you decide that instead of creating an architectural blueprint, you will “wing it.”
So you run to the hardware store to buy some wood, nails, and a hammer and start building with no idea what you are making.
What do you think the result will be? My guess is not so great. Will this even be a building in the end? Again, probably not.
Creating your blueprint outlining the details of what you are creating is essential. Is this a ranch, a colonial, a contemporary, or a split level? Is it made of brick, stone, wood, or cement? How big is it? How many rooms and bathrooms does it have? What does the frame look like?
Your vision is the same. You need to know the approximate measurements and materials you want to use. You need to set the proper foundation and buy the necessary equipment. Sure, you may change your plans if there is a tile shortage or an unexpected plumbing issue, but in the end, you have a general idea of what you want your house to be.
Create your vision as a clear picture with as much detail as possible. For maximum impact, write in the present tense, using positive, passionate language from your perspective (“I” or “Me”).
Read How to Know Your Next Step Forward and Visualizing Success in 2022 for more.
Step 3: How do you get there?
After you paint a clear picture of what you want your house to be, how do you get there? A clear strategy is needed to make it happen.
First, what are the significant steps to completing your vision?
And of those steps, what is the priority, and what needs to happen first?
Make sure your steps are as specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time based as possible.
For example, you will need to build the foundation before roofing. And if you are in a cold climate, you may need to ensure the ground is not frozen and would start the construction during warmer months. Look at the main steps in your strategy and establish the best timing to accomplish each.
Do some steps rely on others? Do some actions require a specific timeframe or have a set date? Plan those first.
Also, what is essential versus nice to have? Is everything needed now?
Once the big blocks are down, how will you make this happen? Break it into smaller components. What do you need to do to build the foundation? What type of materials are necessary? What tools will you need?
Most importantly, set yourself up for success.
What must be in place to make sure it happens?
Do you need a contractor or builder? Do you need to learn new skills or hire someone? Who can help?
What support is required?
Read Ready. Set. Goals., and How to Get Sh*t Done for more.
Step 4: Take action and adjust along the way.
State
It is essential to feel your best so that you can accomplish your goals with ease. In the laws of thermodynamics, you can’t get more energy out of a system than you put in. Having the right mindset, energy, and spiritual state is crucial. Always prioritize your well-being first, creating space for what brings you more energy while eliminating what drains you.
Decide that you will follow through no matter what, and genuinely believe this will happen. What will you do to overcome obstacles that get in your way? What needs to be in place? What superpower must you have?
Tap into your future self.
What do you need to feel inspired and motivated so you can actually stick to your vision?
Set yourself up to succeed with the right mindset.
Read This One Thing Leads to Lasting Business Success and How to Develop Habits (You’ll Actually Stick to) for more.
Adjust Consistently
Your vision and blueprint are plans to guide you in the right direction. However, making the necessary adjustments along the way is essential. If you feel misaligned, what shift do you need to make to get back on track? What actions do you need to take to feel good?
When making decisions, ask, “Does this move me in the direction of my vision? Does this move the needle?” If the answer is no, evaluate why you are doing this. Is this intentional or just a distraction?
Take time weekly, monthly, and quarterly to check in with yourself to ensure you are on track towards your vision and, most importantly, if you are still in alignment with who you are and what you want.
And most importantly, at each step, ask, “Does this feel good?”
Read How to Consistently Hit Your Goals for more.
Recap
Developing a strategy that you will stick to is essential to your success. Tap into who you are and what is important to you, paint a clear picture of your vision, devise a strategy that feels aligned with who you are, and take action by making adjustments along the way.
Step 1: What’s important to you?
Step 2: Where do you want to go?
Step 3: How do you get there?
Step 4: Take action and adjust along the way.
I look forward to you creating your incredible vision and success!
Michele x
If you need help building your vision by creating a step-by-step strategy (you can actually stick to), email me the word PROGRAM.
