All, Business Education

Accomplish Your Biggest Goals in Small Steps

You’ve probably heard the way to eat an elephant is to take one bite at a time. In business this is fundamental because it decidedly identifies the road to success. This road, it should be well understood, isn’t an easy path and will have plenty of bumps along the way. These setbacks, or failures, are excellent parts of the learning curve and are typically more valuable than successes. Savvy entrepreneurs embrace this truth and use it in a strategic way.

Some of the largest and oldest companies were born from simple ideas. These giants grew from obscurity, not because of all they offer, but because each accomplished a goal which made them instrumental to the world of commerce. In 1939, after many frustrating years, inventor Charles Goodyear discovered the process of vulcanization. Though the legendary achievement is etched in history, the backstory is quite telling. Goodyear spent years trying to turn his concept into reality. He went dead broke and into extreme debt, yet endured and persisted on one single goal.

How to Accomplish Your Biggest Goals in Small Steps

Of course not every entrepreneur suffers such extreme adversity. It’s true that the majority of businesses do experience fits and starts but overcome and go on to achieve enough to turn a respectable profit. The way this happens is through a series of phases which include periodic cycles of failures. These aren’t due to lack of motivation, not being smart or talented enough, but the result of trying to accomplish too many things at once.

When people set out to begin a major work project or adopt a healthier lifestyle, it’s easy to become discouraged when picturing the long road ahead. By the same token, even smaller-scale plans like keeping a medical appointment or a standing date to the gym can become easily derailed by the busyness of our daily lives or a simple aversion to the doctor or the treadmill. —The Wharton School

Let’s get back to how to eat an elephant. The key to tackling any big goal is to do so in a smart and workable manner. Though most people understand reaching a goal takes time, their enthusiasm causes over-reach and that’s when things start to go wrong. You just can’t do six things at once and expect to master all of them. Too many directions, which is to say too many projects, is a recipe for failure. So, the key to success is the opposite — do one thing at a time. Here’s how to accomplish your biggest goal in small steps:

Set a big goal to reach. The first step is to set a realistic goal. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big but these can be too large to reach before feeling discouraged. One of the reasons entrepreneurs achieve success is they have a vision that’s focused and workable.
Identify a realistic path to take. Another component to achieving your big goal is to map out a realistic path to take. Break the process down into phases —these don’t have to include every possible detail or include all contingencies. Martin Luther King remarked on this when he said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
Start with one small, incremental step. You’ve probably heard different adages about the first step being the hardest. It’s true and to feel a sense of accomplishment while building momentum, the first step ought to be small.
Take a moment to reflect the accomplishment. After each incremental step or phase is complete, take time to reflect on your accomplishment. The sense of pride is inspiring, and it reinforces your self confidence.

With every step and phase completion, you can look toward your ultimate goal but stay focused on the here and now. This will help to motivate you and it’s a great way to appreciate your hard work.

As a side note, it would be an honor to help out my LinkedIn connections with their business. At minimum, I’d love to connect and be in touch. We can do this by you signing up & getting my Top 5 Business Tips each month; and it’s free! May Your Business Succeed Beyond Your Dreams! ~Best, John Waters

Want to find out about what a business coach can do for you?

[shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Like this article?

How Strangers Can Teach You to Personally Connect

May 16, 2017 No Comments

Meeting strangers is something we do often. It’s part of life, and, most first time encounters are awkward. We meet new people in our professional lives and that creates anxiety. Even in social situations, it can be difficult. As you become more familiar with others, the apprehension subsides. It’s a process with a learning curve because everyone you meet is different. Personality type plays a big role in how we interact with others, carefully choosing words that are appropriate for the situation. For some, like full-blown extroverts, meeting new people is a cinch — it comes quite naturally. For the majority, however, that’s simply not the case. You always want to make a good impression and be liked from the very first moment. It’s how to accomplish that goal you probably fret over most. How Strangers Can Teach You to Personally Connect Strangers are everywhere. No matter where you go, chances are excellent you’ll be surrounded by strangers. Even people you see all the time, but don’t interact with, are part of day-to-day life. You can learn from this common phenomenon by watching and listening. Taking a bit further, think about and compare those interactions to people you consider friends. At one point, you didn’t know one another, but now, you do. You’ve found you share an interest, hobby, or personality trait. The most powerful way to create an instant connection with your friends, family, co-workers and everyone you will ever meet from this moment on is simple. Just shut up and listen. —Entrepreneur.com When you were new to one another, think back to what led you to become friends. Perhaps you had children in the same classroom, shared office space, or, got your morning coffee from the same place. Whatever brought you in contact, you eventually interacted. So, when you meet someone new, be mindful of how he or she connects with you. Some are better than others, but, no matter their demeanor, you’ll still learn. Of course, those you’ll learn the most from are people who are instantly likable. In business, connecting on a personal level is a must to foster a solid relationship. It’s the people you meet and help who will be some of your best brand ambassadors. If you want to connect with others nearly instantaneously, pay close attention to strangers you meet who have that very ability. What you’ll notice is there are commonalities, like the following: They genuinely smile. This simple facial expression that indicates joy, pleasure, or entertainment, is very powerful. It sets the tone and makes you approachable. In addition, it conveys you are an amicable person. The trick is to do so naturally — a forced or fake smile will do the opposite of a genuine one. If you are a person with a natural scowl, then just think of something that makes you happy. They greet you and use your name. You’ve probably gone through a conversation with someone new and never once heard your own name. People who naturally connect, greet you with enthusiasm, and, use your name. It’s something our brains are hardwired to enjoy because it identifies us as individuals. Do the same: greet with eagerness, smile, and use his or her name. Just a few mentions will do a lot to establish a rapport. They interject levity. Another common part of interaction is the dreaded bore — the person who drones on and on about this or that. It’s the exact opposite of people whose company we most enjoy — those who make us laugh. Little anecdotes, small observations, and even humorous situations really help to break the ice. Not only is a great way to be amicable, it also helps to foster a more casual conversation. Just be mindful to use appropriate language and not go overboard. They gesticulate smartly. People who connect instantly gesticulate, but do so in a savvy manner. They use their hands and arms to show enthusiasm and energy, which helps to hone your attention. Use the same technique when you are meeting someone, but do so without going too far. They truly listen. There’s practically nothing more frustrating than being barraged by words without being able to reply. People who naturally connect do so in-part, by letting others talk, and, by listening. When you meet someone for the first time, one of your goals should be to get them to talk about themselves. Another commonality is they talk to everyone. No, not in a babbling or bombastic manner, but in an inclusive way. If you adopt this practice, small talk will flow naturally and you’ll be able to connect faster. Connecting and continuing the Communication is what builds the Relationship. If it is a Relationship worth building, continue the process and you will move to Trust which brings on a higher level of interaction and experience which can transform your life. Go out and meet new people … and see where your journey takes you! [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

How Small Businesses can Make the Best Use of Local Partnerships

June 16, 2022 No Comments

Small businesses often find it difficult to compete with larger businesses, not just in terms of scale and resources, but also in terms of visibility. However, by partnering with local businesses, small businesses can create an ecosystem where they can mutually benefit from each other’s strengths. In this article, we will explore four ways that small businesses can make the best use of local partnerships to improve their business. After all, this is one of the best and most powerful growth strategies available, and better still, it’s often just a matter of making the right arrangements. How Small Businesses can Make the Best Use of Local Partnerships The first way that small businesses can make the best use of local partnerships is by optimizing customers’ experience. Local partnerships give small businesses an opportunity to provide their customers with a more personalized and customized experience. By partnering with other local businesses, small businesses can offer their customers a one-stop-shop solution that meets all their needs. One of a small business owner’s most strategic, and potentially profitable relationships, is the one he establishes with fellow business owners. When business owners offer complementary services, they can form partnerships to help them reach new customers and expand the products and services they offer. These local partnerships help businesses increase their visibility and build customer loyalty. —Houston Chronicle Small Business Another way that small businesses can benefit from partnering with other local businesses is by using local partnerships to experiment with variations. Small businesses often lack the resources to experiment with different product offerings or marketing strategies. However, by partnering with other local businesses, they can test out different variations without incurring too much risk. Third, small businesses can create complementary offerings through local partnerships. For example, a coffee shop can partner with a local bakery to offer customers a discount when they purchase both coffee and pastries. This principle can also apply to a number of other businesses. So, co-existing industry peers, like in real estate, such as a title company and a mortgage broker, or a residential sales broker and an interior decorator can do the same. By partnering with other businesses, small businesses can offer their customers a more complete package that meets all their needs. Finally, small businesses can give and receive customer referrals through local partnerships. By partnering with other businesses in the same industry, small businesses can tap into each other’s customer base and generate more leads. In addition, by giving referrals, small businesses can build trust and credibility with their partners, which can lead to more business opportunities in the future. Local partnerships are a great way for small businesses to improve their business. By optimizing customers’ experience, experimenting with variations, creating complementary offerings, and giving and receiving customer referrals, small businesses can make the best use of local partnerships to improve their business. What other benefits do local partnerships offer? Please take a few minutes to share your own thoughts and experiences so others get the most out of these relationships. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How to Protect a Business Against Vandalism

May 22, 2020 No Comments

Vandalism protection isn’t something most business owners think about. After all, it’s a rare occurrence. But, vandalism can and does happen as we’ve seen or experienced with the recent protests and riots. When it becomes a reality, too many business owners are unprepared. This is due to the fact that the majority of businesses are focused and prepared for theft — not defacing, smashing, and wrecking. So, read on to learn more about how to protect a business against vandalism. The Truth about Vandalism Sure, today’s headlines probably have you thinking about the possibility more than ever. But, the truth be told, vandalism — to just about any degree — is possible at any given moment. At the very least, it could be a total accident. (Like those weird news stories about a driver who accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake. Or, the vehicle involved in a collision that hurled out of control and smashed into a building.) When considering how to prevent vandalism, home and business owners often despair. The crime can be committed in an instant, yet it can have an enormous financial impact. It can be carried out by rivals or total strangers. It can occur in the middle of the working day, or the dead of night. You need to know how to deter vandalism— [and] what options are available —ADT Commercial Security The point obviously being, is that it’s far better to be prepared than it is to get caught completely off guard. The latter will cost far more time and money, stress, and more negatives. However, being proactive can help to prevent the scenario or reduce the amount of damage. Most Effective Ways to Protect a Business against Vandalism Now, let’s get to the nuts and bolts of the situation — how to protect your business from vandalism. While it’s not simple or inexpensive, it’s most definitely worthwhile for a little more peace of mind and to mitigate the extent of the destruction. Here are some effective ways to protect a business against vandalism: Identify weak points. Huge windows, poor lighting, outdated or insufficient security/safety measures. All of these can and will prove very detrimental if vandals strike your place of business. Use landscape and lighting. There’s a reason all those big box retailers and chains have landscaping and lighting — to help prevent damage from a variety of sources. You can use landscaping and lighting to not only improve aesthetics, but also, to help ward off trouble. Install security cameras and more. Of course, this is the most obvious measure to take proactively. But, be sure to place those cameras and other hardware strategically to get the most out of them. Keep an up-to-date store inventory. This not only helps to reduce over-stocking and identify shrinkage, but it can equally help if things are damaged — due to vandalism or another reason, like a natural event. Be sure to have the right insurance in-place. Just because you carry insurance doesn’t mean you have the right coverage. Take some time to go over your policy to ensure you have ample protection. What other suggestions do you have? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences by commenting and letting others know your perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.