So what are you doing today to promote your business, get that promotion, or sharpen your skills? Maybe you think you don’t have the time, or the energy, or the money, but it only takes one step. What I have learned in business is we often over-complicate things. We feel as though we have to have all the answers or a specific plan in order to take action. Now I am not against Business Plans or consulting experts, but you don’t have to wait until you have a business plan to take action. You can begin today and here are a few short and simple steps:
- Identify what you want to do. Do some soul searching. Pray, meditate, and figure out exactly what you desire. Is there a specific position on your job you want or do you want to earn a certain degree? How much money do you want to make? How many people do you want to reach? How many lives do you want to change? Be as specific as possible and don’t be shy about identifying what you really want!
- Come up with what it will take to do it. What kind of materials will it take to accomplish this goal? How much money will it take? Can you fundraise? What kinds of skills sets do you need? When you come up with what it will take to do it, create a timeline to get it done!
- Compile a list of friends, colleagues, and peers who may be able to help. Look through your list of friends and then ask. You may be surprised as to who will be willing to help you in accomplishing your dream. You may have a colleague who will be willing to tutor you or help you write a grant or even provide a specialized service like creating your website, marketing materials, or product development.
- Do it. Make it a goal to do something each day towards your goal. Reach out to a contact, network with someone, or make a phone call. You may even want to commit to spending a certain amount of time each day on your goal, like setting aside 1 hour a day to work on your business.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of what you are doing. Ask yourself some questions. Is this working? What can I do better? Am I achieving what I want? A great way to gather data is to give surveys to your client base. Ask people for their honest opinions, and typically they will give it to you. Once you get the feedback, be willing to make changes as you see necessary.
Taking these small steps can help you in accomplishing your goals and growing your business. Remember, consistency is key. You don’t have to do everything today, just do something every day! Good luck in your endeavors!
