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One of the reasons we start our own business or launch a network marketing career is to achieve our dream lifestyle. We know that with time and dedication we can work less and earn more, have more time with our families or free up our days to pursue hobbies or just get a little more rest and relaxation in.
How do you know if you’re on track to make your goals a reality? As a business coach, I encourage my clients to take stock of their goals and try to envision the big picture on a regular basis to ensure they will see the kind of success they are looking for.
Have you Defined your “Why?”
One of the first things new business owners should do is define their “why,” or outline their reason for starting a business. Everyone has something unique that drives them and when you identify yours you will have something to boost your ambition and an ideal lifestyle to work for.
Your “why” will help you define exactly what your dream is. It should encompass your ideal lifestyle and should lay out how your business will help you achieve that.
For example, my “why” is to live a freedom lifestyle, spend time with my family and friends whenever I choose. I’m free to travel wherever I want and I’m able to invest and build assets for a secure future.
Do You Have a Strategic Business Plan?
But, business is also strategic and it’s not enough to just recognize what your hopes are. The most successful businesses employ a strategic business plan that acts as a roadmap to results.
The business plan should outline key players at your business and what their responsibilities are, your mission statement, long-term and short-term goals, business processes, your target market and your promotional plans.
Without a strategic business plan, chances are your dream life won’t become a reality. A solid plan is the key ingredient you need to add to your hopes and goals to start making things happen.
Are you Holding Each other Accountable?
Executing a business plan takes teamwork. Even the greatest business leaders can’t do it alone. You should act as the motivator, make tough decisions, guide people to success and make sure your team has what it needs to be successful, but you should all rely on each other for results.
To make your team more powerful, you need to hold each other accountable. Hold regular meetings where team members can report on progress and you can work together to problem solve and make your business more effective.
Are your Efforts Cohesive?
During your team meetings, you have a chance to make sure your efforts are cohesive and that they are all working in conjunction with each other to achieve the same results. Each person’s tasks and responsibilities should complement others’ so that you are consistently working toward your goals. As you do this, you will find it easier and easier to live your dream lifestyle.
Cohesive efforts should be outlined in your strategic business plan, but it’s easy to get distracted and lose sight of specific goals. Your team meetings are a great opportunity to make sure you are still working in the same direction and that your efforts are in alignment with your plan so you will reach your goals.
Do you Regularly Take Stock of your Direction?
One of the secrets to success that the best business leaders know is that it’s vital to regularly take stock of your direction. This means checking to make sure your team is still using your business plan but it also means making sure your plan is still relevant.
Businesses, markets and customers change over time, and you need to be savvy enough to recognize when you need to adjust your plan. If you never make changes, your plan is at risk of becoming outdated and ineffective. Regularly check in to make sure your plan is still relevant and is still the best way to achieve your goals.
If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, you are on track to make your dream lifestyle a reality. I work with all kinds of business leaders to help them live the lifestyle they are working toward. If you feel you are weak in some of these areas or aren’t sure how you can make your business more successful, contact me.
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