Can you see this illusion?
Blessings eh!
P.S. If you have a pressing need, and just want to get to growth, let’s talk, it’s on me. Email me or go here to request a conversation – https://www.chrisgoegan.com/Win
Tag Archive for: Encouragement
Imagine if you got focused
Are you on the verge of doing something spectacular?
I have been thinking about this a lot from conversations I’ve had with several clients.
Imagine for a moment if you got focused. Take whatever it is that you do best – take the product or service you are selling, that you’ve worked so hard for to get to this level of success.
Now imagine if you got focused and sold out to the idea that you could take your success to a whole new level.
What would that look like?
How much could you grow your sales – 2x? 5x? 50x? More? What is your potential? How big is the market?
What changes would that make in your lifestyle?
How many lives could you impact?
Would you sell your business? Most businesses can sell for 2x – 4x their earnings. For some of you that would mean millions, for others tens of millions, for others, hundred million plus.
If you got really focused and went after it, what is the potential?
There are 3 things you need to get you there, and one thing that will prevent you.
3 Things You Need:
- Focus – can you focus for a short period of time?
- Determination – are you determined to get there and to do the work?
- A plan – do you have a marketing plan that you have confidence in that will get you there?
I can’t give you the first two, you have to bring that.
The third one, is where our Engineered Marketing approach comes in.
You need a marketing plan, and I don’t mean a vague plan, but rather a specific plan – do this, then this, then this. Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. A plan that will bring you in all the leads and prospects you need to grow and scale your business.
What is the one thing preventing you from doing the remarkable in your business?
Distraction.
Distraction takes many different forms – spending too much time on social media, chasing the latest bright shiny object, building a secondary product line or business instead of staying focused on the main thing, being distracted by disbelief, or being distracted by the wrong advice.
What price are you paying?
Every business I’ve ever worked with has one thing in common – they all have a marketing plan, either by design or by default. Most businesses have a plan be default. They have become successful through sheer effort and hard work and can’t fathom growing or scaling because there’s no way they can double their work.
Who would want to double the work? It’s too exhausting.
No, I’m talking about having a system do all the hard work. Having a marketing plan that involves a system, using the incredible automation and technology available, to multiply your results while reducing the time you spend in your business.
Building a client acquisition system that will do that.
What is the price tag of your marketing plan?
Imagine what you could do if you got focused?
If you want to learn more about client acquisition systems, I wrote a FREE eBook for you. You can learn more and get it here: https://www.chrisgoegan.com/client-acquisition-systems-ebook/
Don’t let your dreams be dreams. Do something remarkable in your business.
Blessings,
P.S. If you have a challenge in your business, we offer a free no-obligation 15 minute consultation where we will tackle and give you perspective on demolishing the #1 problem affecting your business. You can get more information here… Click Here eh!
How To Be Unstoppable – pure rubbish!!!
… or is it???
I see so many promotions and topics with the same underlying theme – “How To Be Unstoppable”. I see them in my email inbox, my mailbox, on the web, tv – seems like everywhere I turn there’s some guru promoting this.
I know I’m not the only one that sees this. And a shameless confession, it has a certain appeal to me. The thought of being “the guy” or being able to carve out your own destiny stirs emotions up in me. I see images of being applauded, and revered, and respected, and sought after, oh, and did I say “wealthy, happy and successful?”.
It also stirs something else up in me… pride and ego. And those two monsters have taken many people down, myself included.
So, instead of being “the guy” and being unstoppable, I’d rather be a guy who makes the best use of his gifts and talents, is diligent, seeks wisdom, plans and takes action and God willing, achieves his goals. (interesting observation – the more I do that, the easier everything else seems to be)
Now in my business, would I like it to be unstoppable?
Yes!!
… as long as I don’t have to sacrifice my family, friends (or anything else dear to me) on the alter.
For the record, in my opinion, unless you’re God, I don’t think anything can ever be “unstoppable”. There’s always something seen or unseen that can take you down.
So instead of “unstoppable”….
What If Your Business Could Be Stronger, Rock Solid, Able To Withstand Numerous Blows And Still Keep Producing – Would that relieve some tension or make you grin?
Well the good news here is that it can.
How do you do that?
… you get rid of the silly notion that there is some magic pill to swallow or some silver bullet or your business can be changed in the next 60 seconds or less. That is pure rubbish.
What isn’t, is you can roll up your sleeves and WORK.
Imagine….
- setting a goal and going after it with focus and determination
- researching the market and competition to see what’s out there
- finding a niche you can dominate and crafting out a clear, concise USP (Unique Selling Proposition) that separates you from the competition
- developing a strategy to attacking the market
- creating a compelling sales conversion process
- making an irresistible offer to get your prospect or client to say “yes”
- Now picture adding 5-10 different lead generation techniques to get your message in front of the exact right people at the exact right time
Seems like a lot of work doesn’t it? Well, it is. That’s why most people won’t do this. That’s why for the few that do, they can reap most of the spoils. Did you know that 95% of the profits in a market will go to less than 5% of the businesses?
Now if you decided to be different and if you did this, how would you feel about your business? How would you feel about it’s ability to weather the storms that are guaranteed to come? Would you be confident in being able to take time off, take trips, plan your retirement, get involved in charity, or how about mentally being there for your family instead of constantly thinking about business?
If you go after something with wisdom, focus and determination and WORK on the right things, it’s amazing what you will be able to accomplish.
Blessings,
P.S. If you have a challenge in your business, we offer a free no-obligation 15 minute consultation where we will tackle and give you perspective on demolishing the #1 problem affecting your business. You can get more information here… Click Here eh!
Goal Setting to Achieve Exciting and Sustained Growth Without Burnout and Fatigue
It’s that time of the year. Where stockings are hung by the chimney with care – and you’re madly scrambling around finding Christmas presents, planning menus, endless shopping and wrapping, working to close the year out, and planning for next year. I don’t know about you, but it tires me out!!
At this time of year, business owners set goals for next year.
Here’s what’s typically done – they answer one question “What do I want my sales to be next year? . . . or, How much do I want to make next year?”
And there’s nothing wrong with this. There’s usually growth, not necessarily significant growth, but growth. Or there are significant growth goals that are met with hard work and determination but end up just demanding more time from the business owner and eventually wearing him or her out.
Have you ever wondered what successful business owners do when setting goals? Or, put another way, how should goal planning be approached?
Goal setting should be done from a bigger perspective and worked backwards to short term focused goals.
But there’s a twist. Something else that should be an essential part of your goals if you want to experience exciting and sustained growth without burnout and fatigue.
What is it?
I’ll cover that in a moment, but first, it’s important that goal setting planning should be done in light of your overarching business objective.
My friend and private client, Michael Gerber, author of the mega best-selling book “The E-Myth Revisited” and his new bestseller “Beyond The E-Myth”, says that everything should be done based on your dream, vision, purpose and mission. Everything should be done in light of your dream.
If your dream is clear and defined, then wonderful, you are ahead of most everyone else. (I recommend reading Michael’s new book “Beyond The Emyth“.) But what if you’re dream is not clearly defined?
Start with answering these questions:
- What were your sales / revenues this year?
- What’s the fantasy for your business? What would you like it to be in 5 or 10 years? (pick a time frame that resonates with you)
- If it were 3 years from now, looking back to today, what would your business be like for you to feel really darn good about it?
This will give some bigger perspective.
If you want to experience exciting and sustained growth without burnout and fatigue, what do you do?
Answer these two questions:
- If I want to grow 50% next year, what do I have to do differently? What do I have to personally stop doing, or do less of, or have someone else do?
- What are the core essential things I have to do to grow 100%?
When I ask this question, clients typically say things like “I need to stop taking all the phone calls. I need to hire a personal assistant. I need to get organized. I need to stop getting involved in every little problem that seems so monumental at the time.” And the list goes on.
More importantly, they start thinking about their business in a different way. They start thinking about having great people and great systems in place.
So let me ask you, what systems do you need to get you to where you want to go?
- If you had great systems and great people delivering your deliverable, creating a 5-star experience for your customers, would that help?
- If you had a great sales and marketing system in place, delivering an awesome supply of leads and customers, AND if it is being manned and run by great people, would that help?
- If you had a great management system in place, being run by great people, so you would know exactly what is going on in your business, would that help?
- If you had a great organizational growth system in place, so that your leadership team is focused, with all oars in the water pulling in the same direction at the same time, would that help?
So while you’re setting your growth goals, also set a goal for what systems you want to get locked down next year.
If you look at things from this perspective, 2017 will be a fantastic year. And beyond that, 2018 and 2019 will be remarkable.
Make next year a great year, and have fun doing it.
Blessings eh!
P.S. We Simplify Small Business Growth. Our core focus is to Help Grow Small Businesses with Great Systems while Building Great People. If you need any help, with your goals or putting systems in place, let’s begin the conversation. It’s free. Go here to request a consultation: https://www.chrisgoegan.com/win
P.P.S. We have a number of new resources and training to help you simplify the growth of your business. We have a pilot program running to have a sales and marketing system running in your business in 90 days. If you are interested in this, watch your inbox in early January, or click on the link above to request a consultation.
What I Learned From My 2 Day Old Son
First of all I feel blessed and honoured to be the proud daddy of baby #4 – my son Ryden James Goegan.
Baby Ryden James Goegan, 7 lbs 12 oz and very cute!!! (I'm a very biased daddy!)
What a cute little guy eh? That rounds it out to 2 boys and 2 girls. So we have an even balance of testosterone and estrogen in our house. (even though I know the estrogen always wins – us wise ones let them!! Lol. :)
Both baby and mom are home and doing fine. My wife enjoyed her full 3 Day, 2 Night vacation getaway at the hospital. She LOVED getting served 3 meals a day, for which she didn’t have to go shopping, and having it cleaned up for her. And having someone check on her and see if she needed anything. What a great service eh?!! … I said if they threw in a pedicure and manicure we might never get her back! … I’m glad to have them back home.
When they were in the hospital I learned, (or re-learned) a lesson when he was 2 days old.
… I took a few days off from my busy schedule and was playing Mr. Mom with the other 3 kiddos. I had a bunch of things bouncing around in my head and was feeling a little guilty about taking time off from work. Afterall, I have goals, deadlines, client commitments, and objectives I’m striving after. And the thought running through my mind was “How can I afford to take time off? I’ve got too much to do!”
Sad but true. I get caught up in my busy little world and unfortunately the pace in my head sometimes is too ridiculously fast. Ever have a problem with an overactive mind and have challenges slowing down? I do.
So what did I learn?
I learned to slow down again. My son sleeps. He slowly wakes and adjusts to the world around him. He opens his eyes ever so casually. He eats and pauses. Then eats some more. He burps and plays. Then he sleeps. Everything happens at such a relaxed pace. I strayed from that and forgot what that was like.
I think I will remind myself to be more relaxed.
… and maybe burp and play more?!! :)
Happy Easter.
Blessings,
Ever have one of those days?
I’m changing gears today. Normally I write about cutting edge, yet proven strategies and tips for growing your business and today I’m deviating from that. You see things in life and business are not always rosey and cheery. Things don’t always go well.
Happens to the best of us doesn’t it?
Sometimes it’s for a day, sometimes a week, sometimes a season. However long, it happens to us all. It’s inevitable.
I had a business client come to me recently telling me how his business fell apart and how his marriage collapsed at the same time. Brutal. He’s a good guy and an intelligent and hard working man. Sometimes bad things happen to good people.
So, let me ask, have you ever had one of those days where it’s excruciatingly painful to accomplish anything?
I had one of those this morning. Things don’t go as planned. In fact, they don’t go anywhere as near as planned?!
As you may know, I love doing endurance events – Ironmans, 100 mile bike rides, marathons, you know long distance stuff that only crazy people do. (I had a friend ask me why I just didn’t drive 26.2 miles instead of running it, said I would get there much faster! – he does have a point!!)
And when you do endurance events you have to train. And sometimes there are great days – like the 18 miler I did a couple weeks ago where the weather was perfect, body felt fresh and fast and there was plenty of deer on the trail – and sometimes there are crappy bad days.
That was today. I had a 20 miler planned. I have this wacky notion of doing an ultramarathon and need to get some longer miles in. Figured I would do only 2 more miles than my last long run of 18. Should be no problem. Had the run planned out, would be a nice trail run where there is usually plenty of wildlife to keep me entertained. Weather was supposed to be great – 65F, sunny and breezy. Figured it would be fun.
Instead, here’s how the day unfolded:
- horrible sleep last night and woke up tired (no problem, this has happened plenty of times before)
- body was sluggish
- legs were mush from the beginning and progressively got worse
- head was out of it – “this sucks stinks, why didn’t I just stay in bed”
- no deer on trail
- ran out of water & started getting dehydrated
- stomach didn’t like PB&J – without taking in fuel on long runs you are a gonner
- and to top it off I bonked with 3 miles to go! … I walked the last 3 miles repeating the thought “this really sucks, I’m done, I just want to get home”
Everything was out of whack. Ugh.
Oh, since I was feeling so bad, I thought I should push myself to overcome it and ran walked up this nasty hill. It was so steep that mountain goats wouldn’t climb it. So off I went. Thought that would snap me out of it – nope but it did make me hotter and used up lots of my water and only took me 45 minutes to go 1 mile!
… seriously, what was I thinking!
Ok. I got done my run/walk. Was miserable and hated it.
Sometimes you just have those days.
Here’s the point of this story. Because it happens to people all the time. I see it all around me. So what do you do when you have a bad day/month/year/season?
… you just keep moving your feet
I had to get done. The distance was not going to get shorter if I didn’t move. I could wine and complain and say how much I hated it and how I just wanted to get it over with (all of which I did). But the fact remained that I had to cover the distance and get it done.
So I just kept moving my feet.
You can apply strategies, best practices, cutting edge technologies, you can do a lot of things. And sometimes things just get hard. And when they do, just keep moving your feet.
If it happens a lot, then get some help. There may be something you are missing. If I experience consistent bad days (like today) I will get with my coach and work through it with him.
In the meantime, I will keep moving my feet.
And you, if you have bad days, whether it be in your marriage, your business, with your kids, or the relentless mind games that go on in your head, if you have bad days where you feel like throwing the towel in, just keep moving your feet.
Blessings,
The Problem With Success In The New Economy
… where to start….
This week I read “An Enterprising Life” by Jay Van Andel and re-watched Jerry McGuire for the umpteenth time. Both worthy of the time invested. Both have great stories. Both have been bouncing around in my mind.
If you’re not familiar with Jay Van Andel, he co-founded the Amway Corporation along with his lifelong friend Rich DeVos. Doesn’t matter your opinion on the Amway business model, you’ve gotta admit that they built a very successful business enterprise doing sales of $8.2 Billion worldwide. I’ve never built a company that size and I’m guessing you haven’t either. So obviously there is a lesson or two that can be learned.
One of the things that really struck me was his lifelong relationship with his friend and business partner Rich DeVos. They had some great and entertaining stories of businesses they built along the way. A couple quick ones:
- They built an airplane charter company when neither one of them knew how to fly. One time, one of their planes ran out of fuel and was forced to land on a lake too small for them to take off on. So they filled the tank, tied a rope around the plane and the other end around a tree, revved the engine and then cut the rope loose with a knife. The plane had just enough speed to barely clear the top of the trees.
- They sold their plane business, restaurant business, and took a year off to sail to Cuba. They bought a sailboat and set voyage even though neither one of them knew how to sail. (what were they thinking!!). One night Rich took a wrong turn off the coast of New Jersey and ended so far inland on one of the rivers that it left the Coast Guard perplexed as they were towing them back out to sea. They had never seen a ship get so far inland. Crazy. Their voyage to Cuba continued smoothly until they sank 10 miles off the mainland in a shipping channel and had to be rescued by a passing freighter. They did eventually reach their destination.
Made me laugh and shake my head in wonder.
I also admired the camaraderie they had. Sure they were a couple of young entrepreneurs off on a daring adventure. But that’s how their whole life was.
Jay said that one of the keys to success was the relationship he had with Rich. It was so deep that they had a long standing agreement that when one partner was away, the other had full ability to make any and all decisions, even if it was different from what the other had in mind. Jay stated one example of how this played out during a new construction of a building. He said their trust in each other was so deep that they both felt so secure the other partner would make a decision in the best interest of the company. Not out of pride or ego, but out of the best interest of the company.
Man, I admire and respect that.
They also had the same relationship with their key vendors. They didn’t make decisions off of whoever was the cheapest bid. They did’t go after whoever had the latest bright shiny object. They did not go after whoever talked the best talk. That would have been building a house of cards. Instead, they developed key business partnerships with people that shared the same philosophies.
People they could trust.
One vendor, Dan Vos Construction, was with them from the beginning. He did a couple of jobs for Rich & Jay that were way below what they would normally do – installing simple shelves in a building the size of a gas station – that turned into a relationship that awarded them millions and millions of dollars in new building projects.
The list goes on and on from here. I think you get the point.
… switching gears, the movie Jerry McGuire…
Unless you’ve been under a rock you’ve seen this movie. The 2 lines…. say it with me now…. “Show me the money!!!” and “You had me at hello”….
The whole point of the movie was that the industry was in disarray. Jerry was disgusted with it. He saw how corrupt and shallow it became. He wrote his “memo” about less customers, more attention.
I think you see where I’m going with this. Everything seems so shallow on the surface with business today. Especially in the world of marketing and internet marketing. There is so much stuff out there. I don’t know about you but among the many solicitations I get are the ones from companies in India to do SEO for me. They promise to get me top ranked positions. (By the way, never confuse rankings with success, but I won’t get into that today, that’s a topic for another day…).
Business is faster. Speed is everything. So many people pitching so much stuff. It’s so mind boggling.
And that my friend, is the problem with success in the new economy.
As a business owner, you were successful in the past from doing things mostly on your own. It was easier. You just put your mind to a problem, would concentrate your efforts on it and it would go away wouldn’t it? You could accomplish anything you put your mind to.
Worked in the old economy.
In the new economy, not so much. It’s not like that anymore. There is too much to do. And with the digital age everyone is a friggin expert. We are all surrounded with so many things to do, and so many options – SEM, SEO, PPC, Adwords, Social Media, Facebook, Text Messaging, Link Building, Direct Mail, Sales Letters, Website Design, WordPress, Email Marketing, Email Marketing 2.0, Autoresponders, Opt-ins, Lists, Segmenting Lists – does it ever stop?!!
And the list goes on.
So the problem is that you are fully competent of being successful in any of these ventures on your own, you are so busy being successful in the running of your business, where do you find the time to implement ANY of these? How do you find the resources?????
Wouldn’t it be nice to have trusted business partnerships like Rich and Jay had?
Like what they had with their vendors? … having sources that could help you achieve more success more rapidly through relationships built on trust?
And like Jerry McGuire, having vendors that paired down their client list to make a bigger impact with less people.
By the way, if that’s what you’re looking for in a vendor, in a business partner, then know my friend, that is what I have dedicated the rest of my life to do. Helping you achieve your goals at such a rate that everyone will think you’re cheating. Where, at last, you can have a true business partnership built on old-school trust that will deliver the BEST solution possible for your specific situation.
Would love to get your thoughts on this, please post your comments below.
Blessings.
Chris.
Need Some Encouragement?!!
I know we all hit some tough spots, and if you are in one of them here is a little encouragement to get you over the hump. Enjoy!!