One thing is for certain, we as entrepreneurs thrive on having new ideas and considering new avenues, new businesses, new projects and more. The most successful entrepreneurs bring a laser focus to their business.
They know their strengths and hire in to cover their weaknesses. They act quickly and implement on their best thinking. They know where they are when they begin and they know where they are as they move along their path to success.
Let’s discuss this last topic. Checking in on where you are? This is not just about the financial aspects of your business. It is the course you have set for your business. You need to check in on a regular basis and see if you are on track financially, on your projects, on your plan and on your strategy.
Here is one example I think everyone may relate to. Do you sign up to attend an event, go to the event and then it happens. You get swept up at the event by great and compelling selling into purchasing a new marketing tool. You buy the package for a few thousand dollars. You return from the event all excited and begin to spend your time and the time of your team on the ‘new’ marketing tool.
Now I am not going to judge your purchase. Marketing is a critical and all important component to running a continually successful business. I want to ask you this question – are you losing your focus and taking your team off track? When do you realize what you have done? Do some current and previously important projects get sidetracked? Are there some urgent opportunities, conversations, customer issues, email campaigns that are now lost in this new found exciting marketing tool you are all working with?
Is it better to consider the time investment and the who, what, where and when of the new marketing tool you purchased?
The point here is this – create a regular method of checking in. Know clearly where you want to go and attach dates and timelines to everything. Roll this back into to smaller goals to be achieved. Carve these up to your staff and areas of responsibility. Now you will know where you are and where you are going! And your team will too!
August 25, 2010 by
It is very easy to get caught up in new ideas.
But the real power comes when we are able to focus our ideas and take them to full fruition!
This is why I think artists and entrepreneurs are so similar, both require creativity and the ability to execute an idea to reality.
Laura,
Yes, I am all about focus. As you are aware, keeping ‘being creative’ within the realm of your focus is important to all of us entrepreneurs. Thank you for your comments. Mitch
Such a great post, Mitch! As a coach to healers, artists and visionaries, I marvel at how many ideas one person can generate in a single moment and I also see how easy it is for these new ideas create stagnation b/c they can often get caught up in some many directions that they end up going nowhere (resulting in no results…:).
Looking forward to your next awesome post!
Jennifer
Jennifer,
One time I used the following exercise with a client who was always bursting with ideas. We took an index card, like 3 by 5 and cut it into
six more or less equal parts. I asked my client to keep her journal as always with her ideas and thoughts, however, at the end of each day, to select one idea and write that one key idea on a piece of the index card. We met the next week and here were six great ideas. You always want the ideas to flow. They need to be channeled in some way to see which are actionable and then which are actionable before others to meet the goals set going forward. Thank you for your comments, Mitch
Those dang bright, shiny objects! So easy to use to avoid. Yes, in this day and age of Interner with ideas, solutions and information coming at us from all angles, it is even more important than ever to remain laser focused. Thanks for a great article Mitch!
Lynn
Lynn,
You and I know about the importance of being laser-focused. Thank you for your comments, Mitch
Yep! both in business and life — it’s so easy to wander off the path, both in business and in life. Thanks for sharing this great article, Mitch!
Grace
Grace,
You know on the highway they have rest stops. It keeps people from going off the highway and getting lost. There is nothing wrong with stopping and going off to the side and smelling the roses. It is a problem only when we forget where we want to go and where we are other than smelling the roses. Thanks for your comments, Mitch
Sooo important to assess where you are — even to assess where your thoughts and emotions are relative to your goals. XO, Katherine
Life Blossoming Systems.
Katherine,
Yes, the full life balance equation is so important to keep in the big picture.
Thank you for your comments, Mitch
Mitch,
I think assessing where you are currently at is so important. It shows how far you have come! Thanks for the great article as always.
Kiyla Fenell
http://www.ultimatestaffingsystem.com
Kiyla,
The good news is there if you are checking and this is so motivating for us.
Sometimes the news may tell you something needs to be done differently, that is good news too! Thank you for your comments, Mitch
Mitch,
It is easy to get caught up in the latest marketing product and omit working on what we should be focusing on. It’s the bright shiny object syndrome strikes again!
Linda
Linda,
Keeping your focus on the straight and narrow does not have to mean we do not pay attention to what is going on around us. What it does mean is to not permit ourselves to be distracted to the detriment of our own goals and what we are working on. You are so right about the syndrome. Thanks for your comments, Mitch
A man after my own heart! I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. Checks and balances are SO important to keeping you on track… 🙂
Carmen,
We think so alike it is scary! Thanks for your comments, Mitch
Yes, I do that. You caught me. It’s easy to get caught up in what seems easy. What you are saying is so right on the money. I think I’m going to initiate a daily check-in. I was doing it every Tuesday but I don’t think that is enough based on your article. Thanks for the tips. – Debbie
Debbie,
The whole idea of checking in is to stay on course, keep on track. Sometimes we are straying off for a reason. We want to know this is taking place and see why. It is possible there is a valid reason. Maybe it is a time to re-evaluate the big picture. Allow yourself a little time to stray off course as it may be good to do, just not too far off course or for too long. This is where working with a coach or a mentor is so valuable. This person brings accountability, structure and focus to where you are and where you are going. Thank you for your comments, Mitch
Great article on keeping focused – it is so easy to get distracted and overwhelmed feeling like everything is a priority. Thanks for the reminder to stay focused on the most important items!
It is so easy to get distracted especially as an online entrepreneur. New products and tools are released daily claiming to be the next best thing. Staying focused on what’s working now in your business is so important. Thanks for the inspiration Mitch! Great article.
Christine,
We are so easily distracted. It takes work and good habits to stay focused on what matters most in our business and our lives. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to comment, Mitch
I am right with you. Bright shiny object syndrome. And as far as I can tell, you end up going in circles, instead of following the path you laid out for yourself.
This isn’t to say that if you find a bicycle while you are walking along, you shouldn’t get on and ride… After all, a bike can get you there faster than walking. But a banana won’t help too much. ;p
Terry,
Everyone needs some nourishment. A banana is probably better to eat than to go hungry. I would have to check that out with JJ Virgin first. Thanks for your comment. Mitch