Heading into the last month of the first quarter, you have a pretty clear picture of how things are shaping up. Whether you are ahead of where you planned, things seem increasingly difficult, or in street slang, “they suck,” consider these lessons I have learned from building multiple successful businesses. Note: I often learned the most when things sucked.
- Time is your greatest currency. Use it wisely, and block time on your calendar for all activities that need to be done. Remember, sales may keep you in business, but only time invested in marketing and prospecting will keep you in sales!
- Know your numbers. What does it take to acquire a new client, and what does it cost to service and cultivate them annually? There’s nothing like going broke servicing all levels of clients the same way.
- Have clear goals for each day, week, month, quarter, and year. Long-term, multiyear goals are good, but you can’t reach them if you don’t focus on the here and now. Michael Jordan didn’t achieve his long-term goal of being the best by just focusing on that goal. He had daily goals to track his progress and said, “I’m not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat!”
- Ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of true desire.
- Never forget the Lifetime Value (LTV) of every client or customer. Reach out relationally to every one of them, and business will pour in the door.
- Give back. Giving to others opens the floodgates to more opportunities and the means to give again.
- Your attitude and mindset matter. Positive builds and attracts, while negative destroys and repels. Prospects and clients sense your attitude from “hello.”
If you have momentum, don’t lose it; if you don’t have momentum, lose no time in getting it.