In this article you'll discover why, despite writing a business plan, sadly, many owners are a slave to their company and can't get hold of the liberty they really wish for. I'm also going to uncover how they can transform their business and their way of living with a particular tool and a method to business planning which makes all the difference. You can find everything you need in a book that's on Amazon at 12.99, or you can instantly easily get hold of a free soft version at this link: The Strategic Imperative.
I'm Chris Gardener and I've investigated what works in business for 21 years. I've supported innumerable business owners to magnify performance. I've led businesses from start-up stage, right through to large scale operation. My background as Finance head, CEO and Strategic Mentor means I've experienced what does work and what doesn't. I've worked round the traps many business managers suffer. Sadly, I've come across a large number of owners have a lifestyle but not freedom to choose how to live.
Many individuals set up companies hoping that they'll get freedom. They want more precious time with their families. They crave to have freedom to do what they want when they want it. But it is typical for many entrepreneurs to grow an admirable business, but be stuck in it. No great life. Not enough time with their closest. Not on top of things. They're "getting by" instead of enjoying life. But the business plan wasn't meant to have the business like this! The excitement and enthusiasm they carried when they were starting out have been incessantly crushed like a deflating balloon. There's frustration, pressure and never a moment to switch off from work.
How come is this so common? There are many reasons. Many times it's normal that the entrepreneur feels the need to do everything personally. They believe it's difficult to delegate. They worry that good client treatment can only really be done acceptably by themselves, personally. They act as if no-one will be able to operate as well as they do, and that it's inevitable that it'll take too long to explain to others. The challenge is, behaving like this can produce OK personal financial results. So, any change to how things get done risks reducing that comfort. But operating like this is usually what keeps the business performing like a treadmill, not moving forward and not a rewarding place to be.
So how to change? Firstly, you need to actually decide what you really want to achieve. Don't work out how - just get clear on "what". The biggest symptom of being busy in a treadmill business is just focusing on frustrating daily problems, and being controlled by any niggles that come up. Here's a guarantee for being run ragged without getting anywhere! You are allowing anyone else decide what you focus on today.
Better, think bigger and work out what you do want to happen. "How" is worked out later. Breaking free from the treadmill - a rewarding transformation - kicks off with the vision and route for the business. Not just any end-game - one that ensures that the leader gets the life they really want. The business owner needs to create a vision of what the company stands for. This vision will make it clear what the business will be like, who will be doing what. Make clear the route, provide the leadership and others will help you get there.
With a clear vision you can then build a specific plan. Importantly, this isn't your typical business plan, but a plan that answers the most important questions. What will the business have to operate so the owner is no longer on the treadmill, and is enjoying life on their terms and getting a kick out of living.
There's no benefit including routine details in the business plan because, you realise that what will happen in the future is not predictable enough. But you are able to respond to the alternatives if you have the requirements set and the important decisions clearly laid out. So there is every reason to set out those critical few decisions that are required. Decisions around the leadership team, in what accommodation the business will operate and what selling activities are needed. Having made those decisions you can have a good idea of the cost. With that information you can then decide the timings of those activities. Now you have the timings set out you can start implementation to the first milestone.
This isn't hard to write down and to "get it", but it's not straightforward to put into action. In this article I have discussed the usual reason many business owners are stuck in their treadmill business. I've also shown the very start of how you too are able to reach a transformation and step off that treadmill. If you these symptoms sound familiar to your own treadmill business you can find the detail you need in a book that sets it out on a plate. There's also free training to help you get going. Many entrepreneurs have already made this breakthrough, it just needs you to realise that there's more fulfilment than going nowhere slowly on a treadmill! A decision for a better business and a better life is all you need to start the transformation.
Keep growing!
Chris Gardener
I'm Chris Gardener and I've investigated what works in business for 21 years. I've supported innumerable business owners to magnify performance. I've led businesses from start-up stage, right through to large scale operation. My background as Finance head, CEO and Strategic Mentor means I've experienced what does work and what doesn't. I've worked round the traps many business managers suffer. Sadly, I've come across a large number of owners have a lifestyle but not freedom to choose how to live.
Many individuals set up companies hoping that they'll get freedom. They want more precious time with their families. They crave to have freedom to do what they want when they want it. But it is typical for many entrepreneurs to grow an admirable business, but be stuck in it. No great life. Not enough time with their closest. Not on top of things. They're "getting by" instead of enjoying life. But the business plan wasn't meant to have the business like this! The excitement and enthusiasm they carried when they were starting out have been incessantly crushed like a deflating balloon. There's frustration, pressure and never a moment to switch off from work.
How come is this so common? There are many reasons. Many times it's normal that the entrepreneur feels the need to do everything personally. They believe it's difficult to delegate. They worry that good client treatment can only really be done acceptably by themselves, personally. They act as if no-one will be able to operate as well as they do, and that it's inevitable that it'll take too long to explain to others. The challenge is, behaving like this can produce OK personal financial results. So, any change to how things get done risks reducing that comfort. But operating like this is usually what keeps the business performing like a treadmill, not moving forward and not a rewarding place to be.
So how to change? Firstly, you need to actually decide what you really want to achieve. Don't work out how - just get clear on "what". The biggest symptom of being busy in a treadmill business is just focusing on frustrating daily problems, and being controlled by any niggles that come up. Here's a guarantee for being run ragged without getting anywhere! You are allowing anyone else decide what you focus on today.
Better, think bigger and work out what you do want to happen. "How" is worked out later. Breaking free from the treadmill - a rewarding transformation - kicks off with the vision and route for the business. Not just any end-game - one that ensures that the leader gets the life they really want. The business owner needs to create a vision of what the company stands for. This vision will make it clear what the business will be like, who will be doing what. Make clear the route, provide the leadership and others will help you get there.
With a clear vision you can then build a specific plan. Importantly, this isn't your typical business plan, but a plan that answers the most important questions. What will the business have to operate so the owner is no longer on the treadmill, and is enjoying life on their terms and getting a kick out of living.
There's no benefit including routine details in the business plan because, you realise that what will happen in the future is not predictable enough. But you are able to respond to the alternatives if you have the requirements set and the important decisions clearly laid out. So there is every reason to set out those critical few decisions that are required. Decisions around the leadership team, in what accommodation the business will operate and what selling activities are needed. Having made those decisions you can have a good idea of the cost. With that information you can then decide the timings of those activities. Now you have the timings set out you can start implementation to the first milestone.
This isn't hard to write down and to "get it", but it's not straightforward to put into action. In this article I have discussed the usual reason many business owners are stuck in their treadmill business. I've also shown the very start of how you too are able to reach a transformation and step off that treadmill. If you these symptoms sound familiar to your own treadmill business you can find the detail you need in a book that sets it out on a plate. There's also free training to help you get going. Many entrepreneurs have already made this breakthrough, it just needs you to realise that there's more fulfilment than going nowhere slowly on a treadmill! A decision for a better business and a better life is all you need to start the transformation.
Keep growing!
Chris Gardener
About the Author:
For more complete detail, you can spend money on the book, or you are welcome to download it with our compliments from our website. You'll also find other help, free training, case studies, examples, tools and much more to help. Get the download and make the commitment to get yourself off that treadmill! Head over to the Strategic Mentors site and follow the links to the book and the free training.
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