Sometimes we make decisions or get ideas based on one off conversations, and it is easy to lose focus and start wondering if you do in fact think what you think. Do you really know what you know about your business? Are you on the right track? In other words – SQUIRREL!
Watch my video to find out what I mean, or continue reading below
I got sidetracked from my vision recently. I was attracted to working with a ‘big time’ speaker. He contacted me after finding me online and chatting with a couple colleagues about my work (thank you search engine optimisation). I got caught up in the ego and the prestige and the idea of what that person could potentially do for my business, since I run on 80% referrals from satisfied clients. “How much more could I do if I had HIM in my roster? You know that feeling? I was ready to ‘level up’ big time.
But there was a catch. He wanted things done that were out of my current wheelhouse. He was not interested in a large portion of what Pibworth specialises in. He wanted to work with me for my name, my connections and my talents, but he wanted to say what my role would be in his business – and it wasn’t marketing. I was intrigued, challenged, and more than a little scared. It would move Pibworth into a whole new direction. We could become bigger, better, make more money – the whole bit. I started doing the research on what he wanted, looked at bringing a new team member into the fold, and dove in, but something didn’t feel right. It was hard. It felt forced. Now I’m not saying that taking a risk is always easy, but I usually love the feeling outside my comfort zone. Not this time – it just felt wrong.
It has taken me a couple weeks, and some great conversations with my brilliant team of advisers to figure out why it felt wrong. I was being drawn to the wrong side of the coin. I was changing my business setup purely for money and ego. I was stepping out of my sweet spot of really serving speakers who needed my branding and marketing strategy. Speakers who valued my brain and my years of experience working with people just like them, and speakers who valued the team I had in place to implement the plans and visions we laid out together. I was thinking only with my pocketbook. I had left my heart and my brain and my values behind. Only when I can feed ALL of myself (heart, brain, service, values AND pocketbook) can I be happy in my business.
What do you do when you lose focus and get sidetracked? Do you have a Board of Advisers, or a Mastermind Group, or even something less formal – a small group of smart friends that you trust? Can you go to them with your heart and mind open and receive the wisdom that she share? No one can do this alone. Trust me. Go out and get yourself someone to brainstorm with. Your business will thank you!
