How to Cross the Gap between Muddling Through or Having a Thriving Business
It happens more often than I want it to happen when I am coaching a small business owner. But sometimes it HAS to happen in order for change to occur. What is IT?
It is LIVING ON INTENTION. Notice that that does not say living intentionally – that’s quite something else.
Many times the proof that a business owner is living on intention comes in situations or comments like the following:
-
When a colleague tries a marketing strategy that proves very successful for him … and the business owner says, “I was going to do that, but…”
-
When a deadline for registration or application passes without being completed … and the business owner says, “I had that on my to-do list …”
-
An event occurs that has significant impact on the community … and the business owner says, “I really meant to be a part of that and contribute …”
Well, poet Samuel Johnson is credited with saying, “Hell is paved with good intentions.” I posit that it is not just hell that is paved with good intentions, but so is a business that is muddling through, just getting by (barely) paying the bills.
If you want your business to grow and thrive, good intentions have to be more than just thoughts and ideas, they have to be acted upon – with consistency and zeal.
You have to cross the gap – and BE Intentional with your ideas and practices. You have to decide what you want to be and what you want to have and then purposefully live that. Let me give you a few examples:
- If you want to learn and develop your thinking and skills, you might read books and articles, take time for webinars and workshops, participate in group studies or a mastermind group.
- If you want to be a conscious capitalist, you have to develop a way to support, nurture or contribute to a cause or program.
- If you want to get new customers, you have to find ways to meet and build relationships with those people and businesses that are your ideal customer. You have to put yourself in their path and interact with them.
- If you want to get a new car, or a new home, or a new whatever, you have to make a plan to consistently save for it or designate certain income or sales toward that goal.
Good intentions aren’t going to get you new customers, authority or credibility, a new car or a thriving business. You have to make it happen … no more sighs and statements like “I was going to …” or “I should have …”.
Chance and luck only happen when you set up the situation to unfold just how you want it to unfold. All it takes are intention – and action.
To your success!
Leave a Reply