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The Power of Thinking Big |
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Written by Bernadette Doyle
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Just over a year ago, I participated in a business coaching
program where we were asked to set BHAGs - Big Hairy Audacious
Goals. Looking back now, I can see that moment was a significant
turning point for me. Up until that point, I had been playing it
safe. My goals up until then weren't Big, Hairy and Audacious.
They were Small, Bald and downright Timid. I had been playing it
safe. I wasn't committing to a bigger vision because that way I
could avoid disappointment if it didn't work out. I had been
censoring my goals and aiming for what I thought I could achieve
as opposed to what I truly wanted.
Fast forward just over one year, and there have been some BIG
changes in my business. Sales revenues increased by 285% last
year and this year we are set to triple revenues again. My team
and I (yes, I've had to pull in extra people to assist and
manage all this growth) are fastening our seatbelts for an
exciting year ahead. So in this week's article, I want to share
some of what I've learned about business growth over the past 12
months.
It starts with a decision. I've recently been reading two books
by two different multi-millionaire authors, and what struck me
was both of them recalled a specific moment when they decided to
become wealthy. While I'm not quite in their income league just
yet, I did recognize that I had everything that has been
accomplished over the past 12 months started with a decision.
You need a plan. For years I resisted planning in too much
detail, as I wanted my business to grow more organically and
spontaneously. I was afraid that following a plan might prevent
me from responding to new opportunities as they arose. I was
deluding myself. How can you tell whether you are on - or
off-track without a plan? Dare to set and plan for goals bigger
than you dreamed possible.
You can't penny-pinch your way to your 'Big Vision'. Don't get
me wrong. The first law of profits is 'have more coming in than
you have going out'. But if you have a big vision for your own
business over the next 12 months, you must be willing to invest
in the tools, systems and people to help you get there. I spent
more on coaching and training last year than ever before, and my
business almost tripled. I don't think that is a co-incidence.
Be prepared to ruffle a few feathers. As you start to live your
vision for your life and business, people WILL notice, and not
everyone will be happy about it. Some might feel threatened as
they see you striding outside of your comfort zone because it
brings up their own fears and reminds them how they are still
playing small. Others may just be downright jealous. Nothing
brings critics out of the woodwork like success! It helps if you
are prepared for it, and I would even go so far as say celebrate
when the critics start making noise, as it means you must be
really doing something.
(c) Bernadette Doyle, 2008.
About the Author:
Bernadette Doyle publishes her weekly Client Magnets newsletter
for trainers, coaches, consultants, complementary therapists and
solo professionals. If you want to get clients calling you
instead of you calling them, then get your free tips now at
Client Magnets
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