There comes a time where every business owner needs to consider if they’re moving in the ‘right’ direction. And it’s important to remember that the right direction must be figured out, created and defined by YOU. Not by the side liners or other folk who aren’t knee-deep in the business with you.
In other words – for your business to be sustainable, long-lasting and still a business that you love, it can’t be benchmarked against other people’s standards, ideals and notions.
To explain this further, we’re going to use some B2 lingo: we’d love to introduce you to Your True North.
Your True North has two key aspects:
- Knowing where you want to go
- Understanding how to get there
Let’s break it down.
Knowing where you want to go.
This includes your:
- Vision, Mission & Purpose
- Values
- Standards & Expectations
- Personal and Business Goals are also included here
It’s about getting absolute clarity on the types of clients you want to work with, how you want to grow, expand and build your business. There’s more than one way, and one definition of business growth, and it’s not always only about the number of sales and size of the team. It’s also understanding why you’re in business and what you want your business to do and provide for you and your family.
Uncovering where you want your business to go is getting clear on the things that keep you connected to and in love with your business. *Side note: when we say “in love” it’s like any relationship. They all have their testing moments, their ups and downs and yet, at the end of the day you wouldn’t give it up for the world.
Once you’ve set up where you want your business to go, you can start to get an understanding of how to get there.
Exercise part 1: On a blank piece of paper, write down the words – vision, mission, purpose, values, standards, expectations, personal goals and business goals.
Understanding how to get there.
This piece of the puzzle is about creating a map on how to achieve all the cool things above. For example,
- How do you set a vision that will continue to grow as you and the business grows?
- How do you stay connected to your purpose and expand the business in a way that aligns with your values?
- How do you create time in your day for all the things that matter or ensure your business is profitable?
- How do you move through mindset barriers and beliefs that hold you back from either making or managing money effectively?
Exercise Part 2: With the words you wrote down earlier, give yourself a score out of 10. To guide you, 1 = ‘it’s not something I’ve ever considered or looked at before’ to 10 = ‘it’s something I’m focused on daily’.
Now journal, what’s your total score? What areas do you want to celebrate and acknowledge you’re doing really well in? What areas did you score lowest and why? What steps can you take for the areas that need the most help?
The purpose of getting clear on Your True North is to make sure your business is a place you want to keep hanging out in. A place that inspires you and helps create the life you’ve been working so hard to create. After all the blood, sweat and tears you’ve already put in, you want to make sure it continues to be worth your while.
You’re living your true north when you have a business that fulfils your purpose, is growing in the way you want it to and is creating the lifestyle that’s right for you.
If you’d like guidance on how to uncover Your True North, come along to our next True North Workshop on the 23rd February 2021. You can let us know you’d like to join by registering here.