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 to Deal with an Employee with Limited Work Capacity

January 6, 2021 No Comments

Having a good employee who is restricted in their capabilities can be a very challenging situation. This is especially true if he or she is a valued team member, but can’t put in the hours due to certain limitations. Whether it’s a preexisting condition, and injury suffered on or off the job, you obviously have moral, ethical, and legal responsibilities to him or her. However, this doesn’t mean that they are completely protected from being terminated or having their role and/or responsibilities changed. Although this article isn’t specifically about legal ramifications, it will give you some effective tools on how to deal with this particular set of circumstances. Read on to learn more about how to deal with an employee who has limited capacity. Every Situation is Different Limited capacity can mean the number of things, including an inability to perform certain physical tasks, and other situations. But, most often it is due to a physical limitation which prevents him or her from fulfilling one or more of their responsibilities. These can range widely, from an inability to lift certain amounts, to not being able to sit for a protracted period of time. An ever persistent problem facing employers is what to do with the employee who is chronically sick or has a serious health problem. Besides the obvious issues it presents to the employer- additional strain on other employees to pick up the slack; inability to properly staff and manage work loads; basic coverage concerns- there are also potential state and federal legal ramifications if the absences are not handled and documented correctly. —HNI Risk Services Whatever the case may be, It is up to you to be as accommodating as possible, without fully compromising your company’s position. In other words, it’s best to strike a balance and find a happy medium where you can accommodate their needs while also allowing them to fulfill most or all of their work responsibilities. 3 Key Ways to Deal with an Employee with a Limited Work Capacity There’s no hard-and-fast set of rules for coping with an employee who can only work in a limited capacity. After all, no two sets of circumstances are exactly the same. But, there are some general parameters you should observe. Here are three good ways to deal with a team member who is limited in their work capacity: Gain a real understanding of the circumstances. Whether it’s a back problem, issues with a disease, or anything else, you need to have a very clear idea of what’s going on with your employee. Understand precisely what his or her limitations are and aren’t. This way, you’ll have enough information to make good decisions when it comes to his or her role and responsibilities. Make strategic concessions where necessary. Even your best employee can suffer from very unfortunate sets of circumstances and still be able to contribute to your company in a number of ways. Though it’s difficult to comprehend or even accept, it could be a detriment to your business (that is, if you insist on keeping everything the same). So, think outside the box and make strategic changes so he or she can continue to be a productive asset for your company. Realistically reassess the situation periodically. Sometimes, this can be a long-lasting situation that can go on for years. Or, it could only last for several months. Regardless, you need to take the time to reassess the situation every now and again. What other suggestions do you have? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your unique perspective; it’s greatly appreciated! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Effective Ways to Deal with a Setback

May 7, 2019 No Comments

Setbacks are inevitable. They come in many shapes and sizes and some appear from out of the blue. When you encounter a setback, it triggers different emotions. You feel shocked, unprepared, perhaps angry or down. It’s only natural to feel bad after a setback but it’s how you handle it that really matters most. How to Overcome a Setback Everyone experiences setbacks, large and small. During these times it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and maybe even unappreciated. (This is especially true when it involves an interpersonal relationship.) Minor setbacks throw us off for a few hours but others are much more significant and really throw us in a tailspin. While we will all experience roadblocks, we will differ in how we handle them. Some of us have the resilience to just pick up the pieces and move on. Others find it difficult to let go. Either way, how do we learn from the tough times? —Entrepreneur.com Whatever the cause and no matter the size, it’s important to understand you aren’t out of options. Sure, you feel helpless to one degree or another. And, it does bring into question what’s all that time and effort for, anyway? But, if you put things into perspective, you’ll begin to realize it’s not the end-all, be-all. Effective Ways to Deal with a Setback We all know adversary helps to build character. Although, no one welcomes tough times, whether in the form of a setback or something else. So, here are some effective ways to deal with a setback you can put to use: It’s only temporary. Very few setbacks are insurmountable. And, most are only temporary. Realize it is just a temporary situation that will pass. It will only linger and bother you the longer you allow it. If you put it into perspective, it’s merely one of many temporary obstacles. Your goals remain. Sure, it does bring into question what all your hard work is for in the first place. And, it undermines your sense of accomplishment and success. While these are certainly true, it doesn’t change your goals. Refocus on your goals to help you overcome. Reset the timetable. Any setback will throw off the timeline, there’s little way around this fact. But, that doesn’t mean you can adapt and readjust your timetable to make it workable again. Take action, right away. Of course, the worst response is to do nothing at all. It will not get you past the situation and will only serve to make it haunt you even more. Take action straight away and you’ll start to feel better immediately. What other methods would you suggest to get past a setback? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Why Chasing Every Customer Is Killing Your Profits

July 9, 2026 No Comments

We’ve looked at how to win bids without offering the lowest price. But that doesn’t address yet another challenge. That challenge being attracting new customers and retaining them. For most entrepreneurs, the assumption is to go after as many people as possible to grow their client count. After all, more is more, and with more customers comes more money. But is this the right philosophy for every small business? Let’s take a few moments to consider what this actually means. How Intentional Scarcity Transforms Your Business into a Premium Brand Small business owners often chase volume like it’s the holy grail. More clients, more revenue, right? Wrong. The smartest operators are doing the opposite. They deliberately limit their services to a select clientele and watch their earnings per customer soar while their brand transforms into a symbol of uncompromising quality. (This is the same strategy Disney World is following in its Orlando theme parks.) The House of Mouse has the numbers, and the company knows that passholders spend relatively little compared to other visitors, particularly families traveling from out of state. So, it’s adjusting its policies to extract as much cash as possible from every tourist. This is not about turning away business out of arrogance. It is about strategic focus. When you spread yourself thin serving anyone who walks through the door, you dilute your expertise, compromise your standards, and train the market to see you as a commodity. Premium clients, however, seek specialists who deliver exceptional results. They pay more, complain less, and refer others like them. Spread Too Thin Means Compromised Quality Here’s an example. A local consultant once juggled projects for every industry under the sun. Deadlines slipped. Quality varied. Profits stagnated despite long hours. After narrowing it down to family-owned construction firms facing talent shortages, everything changed. He raised rates by 40 percent. His proposals closed faster because he spoke their language with authority. Referrals poured in from satisfied owners who valued his deep understanding over generic advice. He now works fewer hours, earns more, and commands respect as the go-to expert in that niche. The Numbers Add Up The math is simple. Serving a broad audience often means competing on price. You discount to win bids, rush delivery, and handle mismatched expectations. High-value clients reward specialization. They understand the premium because they experience superior outcomes. Your per-customer revenue climbs while marketing costs drop thanks to stronger word-of-mouth and repeat business. Reputation Matters This approach also elevates your public image. Exclusivity signals confidence and mastery. Customers perceive you as selective because your work is worth selecting. Think of the difference between a general handyman and a craftsman who only restores historic homes. The latter charges more, attracts preservation enthusiasts, and builds a reputation that opens doors to premium opportunities. Your brand stops blending into the background and starts standing for something distinctive. Operational Benefits Limiting your clientele forces sharper operations, too. You refine your offerings to solve specific, painful problems. Systems improve. Team training targets real needs. Innovation flows because you are not firefighting random requests. The result is higher-quality delivery that reinforces the premium positioning in a virtuous cycle. Practice with Purpose Of course, this requires discipline. Start by defining your ideal client with precision. Metrics should include things like industry, size, challenges, values, and budget. Audit your current customer base and identify which relationships drain resources and which multiply them. Craft messaging that attracts the right prospects while politely redirecting or declining others. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but the freedom and profitability that follow are liberating. Want to Accomplish More for Your Business? Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while spending more time with your family doing everything you started your business to do? We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes, and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test. You can call us for your free appointment at 480-636-1720, or, if you prefer, <a href = "mailto:info@watersbusinessconsulting.com”>send us an email. You can also visit us at Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

Accomplish Your Biggest Goals in Small Steps

How to Accomplish Your Biggest Goals in Small Steps

Like this article?

Related Posts

How to Deal with an Employee with Limited Work Capacity

Effective Ways to Deal with a Setback

Why Chasing Every Customer Is Killing Your Profits

Imagine Selling Your Business…

How Would Your Life Change?

Thank you for your interest in learning what your business is worth. We will be in touch shortly.