May 2023 Now Is the Time to Set Bigger Goals
Jim Collins wrote a book in 1994 called ‘Built to Last’. In that book, he introduced the BHAG or “The Big Hairy Audacious Goals”. “The power of the BHAG, is that it gets you out of thinking too small. In the end, the purpose of a BHAG is to make your organization better.” Collins said.
It’s extremely easy to slip into complacency and concern when enquiries start to slow, but that is precisely when you should set some larger goals, and then plan the steps to make them happen. Which means you are taking positive action.
When you do this, you feel much more upbeat, your team can see the energy change, and you become more inspiring, more motivating, and they will feed off of this positive energy shift.
The alternative is if you are feeling concerned, your team will see and feel that too. Your actions and language won’t hide how you are feeling, and subconsciously they begin to worry about their job.
A potential client will also see and feel your subconscious concern. For example: They meet two landscapers who quote their garden: One is upbeat, smiling, engaged (clearly feeling excited), and the other is trying to feel this way, but there is an underlying concern that doesn’t allow them to be so positive and engaging. Which landscaper would the client tend to favour? I think we all know the answer here.
If ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goals’ freak you out too much, then I suggest you make your goals much larger than just trying to survive.
For example:
You received three enquiries a week, and now you receive one per week.
I suggest the first thing you do is set a goal of three leads a week.
Then, put a simple plan together to make this goal happen. Some strategies would include jumping on the phone to alliances. Some you already have, and others you may need to introduce yourself to.
Let’s say you might typically call a designer to see if they have any work: I suggest you call several designers, not just the one. And if it makes you feel a little uncomfortable, you’ll be pleased to know, that this discomfort is nothing compared to what you’ll feel when you’re operating a business from a restrictive mindset.
The same applies to other areas of your business.
Setting larger goals now is a great strategy to put the spring back in your step for now and for the future. You will start to focus on making things happen, rather than thinking in a limiting, cost-saving and conservative manner. Don’t worry about how you are going to achieve the goals you write down, just write them, then take action (this is key), and positive forward momentum will begin.
And if you need some assistance getting started, get in touch with me as soon as possible.