How a lack of Vision slowed my startup

When I was starting out on my own I had a dream of what I wanted to achieve, but like many dreams, it was hazy and unfocused, and I could never tell anyone what it was all about with any clarity. It was like seeing a shape at the end of a foggy road but never getting any nearer to it. I wasn’t clear where I was going, and we all know what happens when you’re not sure where you’re going...you get lost!

And I did.

I ventured down so many rabbit holes, wandered into so many blind alleys, found myself in so many cul-de-sacs, desperately trying to get to...where?

You could say it was all part of my vertical learning curve, but looking back it feels like 18 months of wasted time, effort, and money!

Knowing your destination is crucial. It keeps you focused. It inspires your team. It gives purpose and meaning to your planning.

What is Your Vision?

When you’re thinking about your Vision, think about your ‘Why’ the impact you want to make, the problems you want to solve, the influence you want to have, the legacy you want to leave.

Look at Richard Branson, he has built a brand that inspires. His ‘Why’ - ‘because UK consumers deserve better.’ 

He created a movement with a 'Why' that was all about challenging the status quo and empowering people.

My ‘Why’? - ‘because business could be so much easier for so many business owners out there.’

But when I started out I was all back to front. I was thinking ‘what are my skills and knowledge?’ I should have been thinking, ‘what are the problems facing business owners and their customers, what are they struggling with, how could things be better?’ And then seeing where my experience would solve their problems. I started out thinking it started with me; I know now it should have started out all about others.

Your Vision should give you goosebumps every time you look at it, and connect with the hearts and minds not only of your team, but also of your ideal clients. Think ‘the best we can be’. Think ‘making a real difference’. Think BIG!

This is about the future you see for yourself and your business, your destination, so you can write it in terms of the future, but we prefer to write in in the more tangible present tense, so that it feels more real, obtainable:

At MPL (Marianne Page Ltd)
‘We are more influential than Gerber! The go-to mentors for business owners with a growth and scale mindset who want to work on their business not in it; giving every entrepreneur across the globe, the freedom to scale, sell or franchise their business… or run it from a beach somewhere if that’s what they want.’

It’s not about where you are now, it’s where you’re headed - your destination.

What’s the time frame?

People often talk about their 10 year Vision for their business, and it’s a great timeframe for the majority of us. But if your personal plan is to sell up and move to Bali in 4 years’ time, then the 10 year Vision doesn’t really work for you.

Whatever timeframe you choose, be clear about it. Write it in a journal or pin it on your noticeboard as the date you’re working towards. You’ll need it for your Planning.

Who is the Vision for?

• It’s for you, to keep you focused, motivated, and on track.
• It’s for your team, to inspire them with your clarity, and engage them in the journey.
• It’s for your ideal clients, because it makes clear who you want to serve, and how you plan to meet their needs.

Don’t keep your Vision to yourself. Once you’re happy with it, share it with the team, get their input, get them excited about it, and then get it out there on your website, your marketing materials, your training resources.

This is a big deal. Putting it out there is the first step towards achievement, so take it now.

Do one thing: Write down your vision and pin it up on the wall. Ask yourself, 'Does this give me goose-bumps?' and if it doesn't, take it back down, and work on it until it does. This is your future we're talking about!

Thanks for reading. Have a great week!