I often see entrepreneurs looking at their proverbial glass as half empty instead of half full. They might say:
- If I only had the connections that person has…
- If I only had the experience that person has…
- If I only had the personality that person has…
The list could go on and on. This type of thinking can sabotage a person in many ways, but perhaps the most critical is that it can cause you to overlook priceless opportunities that are available right in front of you.
Instead of focusing what you don’t have, focus on what you DO have.
- What connections DO you have?
- What experience DO you have?
- What elements of your personality DO serve you well?
After you’ve taken inventory of your assets, start considering how you can leverage those and what opportunities you can create as a result.
Are you currently looking for:
- Referral(s) to prospective clients
- Introduction(s) to referral partners
- Writing opportunities:
- Speaking opportunities
- Networking opportunities
- Partnership/joint venture opportunities
- Consulting opportunities
Perhaps you have other ideas about the type of opportunities you are seeking. This is why being crystal clear about your goals is so critically important.
If you don’t know what your goals are, you don’t know what type of opportunities will help you achieve those goals in the quickest amount of time with the least amount of effort. Thus, you may not see the opportunities that are right front of you, or worse yet, not see what assets you have that you can leverage to open those doors for you.
Of course, your goals should be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely). The “timely” piece is important because we’re not (necessarily) talking about a 5-year plan. To start, focus on what specifically you want to accomplish in your business over the next 3-6 months.
Are you looking to generate a certain amount of revenue? Enroll a certain number of clients? Sell a certain number of products? What does success for you look like for this specific time period?
Once you’re clear on that, next consider what specific opportunities will help you achieve those goals? Also, how can you leverage the experience, connections and education you already have to tap into those opportunities?
Remember, look at what you CAN do and what IS possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Be humble enough to seek and accept assistance.
Creating the profitable, successful business you desire is entirely within your reach. But you do have to R-E-A-C-H for it. Which means putting forth the effort to create the opportunities you want. They are there for the taking; so don’t let them pass you by!
If you need help clarifying your goals and identifying what opportunities are available right in front of you to create a more successful business, you should plan to join me for my upcoming “Focus & Freedom” Business Transformation Retreat in San Francisco!
We’ll spend the day together outlining the steps you need to take and you’ll walk out the door with plan in hand. I look forward to seeing you there!
Your Action Plan For This Week:
| 1. | Start viewing your glass as half full. List 5 great things are taking place in your business right now. |
| 2. | Review your goals for the next 3-6 months. Decide exactly what you want to accomplish. |
| 3. | Based on your goals, take an objective look at the relationships, expertise and other assets you have available to you now. Determine what opportunities you can extract from your assets and how to pursue them. |
| 4. | Make a list some contacts that you need to reconnect with. Set up a phone call or coffee date to catch up and let them know what you’re up to. Ask for their support and assistance as needed. |
Maree MacLean says
Thanks Sydni, your articles are always to the point and extremely helpful.
Sydni Craig-Hart says
My pleasure Maree! (I love the spelling of your name!) Was there any particular point you found helpful in this article?
Maree MacLean says
List 5 things that are great in your business right now shifted my focus to explore the potential of my business instead of focusing on the things I haven’ t yet achieved. It’s always helpful to have someone on the sideline reminding you to do that because entrepreneurs working on their own can become insulated and too task focused and bogged down in problem solving. I can forget that it’s crucial to pop my head up now and again and take stock of the good things happening for my business. No man (woman) is an island and encouraging your readers to reach out and contact their network helps the entrepreneur by default. First of all you help them to hone their goals carefully, no-one wants to be unprepared when contacting their network for help and the more specific the goal, the more likely a contact is to know how to help you. Secondly, it’s necessary to be reminded by an outsider to pop your head up if you forget to do it yourself from time to time.
Amy Kinnaird says
About 6 weeks ago I started focusing on my business accomplishments and just a few, short term goals instead of just focusing on year long goals. The change in outlook has been refreshing and energizing. I’m going to pop in your suggestion of “what connections do I have” for additional clarity. Nice!
Sherri Garrity says
I absolutely agree Sydni. The more specific you are, the easier it is to focus. I’ll give you a recent example of my own – I wanted to book 10 paid speaking engagements. At my next women’s business networking meeting, I made that request. Within two weeks I had 3 booked and was invited to submit a proposal for the biggest event I had ever spoken for. I didn’t get that one (which is another important point – No in business means Not Yet), and not all of these were direct referrals from my group, but the point is, once you put it out there, it really does shift! I would like to add a perspective I use with my business coaching clients: think of all you have done until now as equity. Just like when you own a home and you want to improve it or sell it, you can use the equity to invest in something bigger and better. You don’t lose all you’ve built, but how you use the equity to get your farther is up to you!
Sherri Garrity
She Means Business
Jennifer Bourn says
Sydni – You’re right! It’s not about looking at what others have… It’s about looking at what you have and how you can best leverage it to achieve your goals. You’ve got to be focused and clear … and often you have to make the ask! You can’t just sit there and wait for great things to happen to you and awesome opportunities to fall in your lap. You’re got to make it happen!