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I
love the scene in the movie City Slickers where Billy Crystal's
character, Mitch, is alone with Curly, played by Jack Palance. Curly is
giving Mitch some life advice.
Curly:
Do you know what the secret of life is?
[holds up one finger] This.
Mitch: Your finger?
Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest
don't mean s***.
Mitch: But, what is the "one thing?"
Curly:
That's what you have to find out.
What's
your one thing?
Here's
an exercise for you to do - right away before you get busy and forget
...
Get
out a sheet of paper and write down the various things that you want
your business to provide for you and your family, but is not yet
providing. For instance, more income, more time off, more money in a
retirement account, more enjoyment at work, more challenge, and so on.
Be optimistic and ambitious yet realistic.
Once
you have a list, narrow it down to the one thing
that you want your business to do for you this year - and that
you could accomplish if only you had the time to focus on making it
happen.
Did
you come up with a good one? An ambitious yet achieveable goal that, if
accomplished, would rekindle your own enthusiasm? Something that
would help your family, and make them enthusiastic supporters of your
entrepreneurial efforts? A goal that you can build on, leading to
long-term success? Most importantly, is it something you want badly
enough to push through the obstacles to make it happen?
Now,
go do it. Rearrange your schedule. Make the extra effort. Get your
management team on board - ask for their support. Same with your family
and your colleagues. Ask those around you to hold your feet to the fire.
Every week - whatever it is that you're pursuing - put it on your
calendar or to-do list, and make steady, relentless progress.
This
may sound like a bunch of motivational rah-rah nonsense, but it's not.
It's how goals get accomplished in real life. Setting a goal you truly
want to accomplish is half the battle. But, getting it onto your
calendar or to-do list and then actually doing what it takes to make it
happen is the difference between day-dreaming and practical
goal-setting.
Your
business is a tool for enhancing your personal life. Use it to help you
achieve the one thing that you want this year.
Bill Collier is
a St. Louis-based business coach, consultant and speaker. He is the
author of the book “How to
Succeed as a Small Business Owner … and Still Have a Life.” His
website is www.collierbiz.com,
and his email is
bill@collierbiz.com
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