Happy 2006! I hope you have
enjoyed this wonderful holiday season. If you haven’t
yet taken the time to reflect on accomplishments during
the past year as well as to identify where you want
your business to go in the new year, now is the perfect
time to do just that.
Read on to learn more about creating a vision, including
an exercise that is as fun as it is thought- provoking!
CREATING A VISION FOR A SUCCESSFUL 2006
As each year comes to an end, do you make it a point
to create a vision for what you want for your business
in the upcoming year? Visioning is an important part
of having a successful business. In fact, I believe
it’s crucial to have a vision for one’s
business BEFORE one sets goals and takes pen to paper
to draft a plan to achieve those goals.
Many of my clients have an overall vision for their
business at its pinnacle. They frequently check their
current status with their dream to make sure they’re
on track. This is great, and to help ensure you are
taking the steps necessary to make your dream come true,
I suggest spending time creating a vision each year
that helps lead you toward your ultimate dream.
One powerful exercise to help you consolidate your
thoughts for the year ahead is something I call “The
Future Letter.” The instructions are simple. Pretend
that it is December 31, 2006 and you are writing a letter
to someone you care about who would want to celebrate
your successes. Share what has transpired and what you
have accomplished during the past year in your business.
Remember, the goal of this exercise is to identify
your objectives for the year. This format helps you
connect with what you really want, not what you think
you should do. While you can certainly write whatever
is compelling to you, important areas to address are:
- What your business (or practice) looks like (number
of clients, type of clients, revenue generated)
- How you feel about your professional skills
- Your business infrastructure
- Marketing strategies
- What your typical workday looks like
- Anything that is important to you regarding your
business
For maximum effectiveness, balance what you would love
to have happen in your business with what you believe
can happen. You want to balance what you currently believe
is possible with what you could believe possible.
For example, let’s say part of your long-term
vision is to write a book on your specialty area and
you haven’t yet written a word and aren’t
even sure about the way to make it happen.
Better to write about what you believe you could accomplish
(i.e., I’ve written the outline, have gone to
a writer’s confer- ence, have a lead on a publisher,
have written four amazing chapters and have sent 30
query letters) than something that is a huge stretch
for your belief (i.e., I am a best selling author).
Of course, if you want to have a best-selling book in
contract within a year and believe you can do it, then
don’t hold back!
Once you write your future letter, you can create a
plan that outlines the steps and strategies you will
take during the year to make your vision a reality!
Don’t forget to check back against your future
letter throughout the year to see how you’re doing.
And, of course, remember that your future letter does
not have to be perfect. In fact, there is no perfect!
This is a “work in progress” and always
will be. Give it a try and see how much more focused
you are in the coming year. Also, if you would like
to see a sample of a future letter, drop me an email
and I’ll be happy to send you one.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
If your company or organization could benefit from
learning more about building a successful business,
maximizing business development efforts or keeping key
clients ecstatic, I’d be delighted to talk to
you about a lunchtime presentation or workshop. Please
give me a call at 858-566-5585 or email me at Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com.
Don’t forget to check out my business development
tips booklet and comprehensive practice building system
for lawyers. Read more by clicking on the products link
at www.rainmaker-strategies.com.
Barbara Nichols Mencer
Rainmaker Strategies
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
www.rainmaker-strategies.com
If you’ve enjoyed this article and learned a
valuable business-building tip, please feel free to
forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues.
Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in
whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
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