No matter what you want from life or business, you are going nowhere until you get started. Think back if you can to when you were a child. You didn't learn to crawl without accidents. How many times did you fall as you were learning to walk? When it came time to ride your first bicycle how many skinned knees did you have? In each case did you succeed? It seems we know what we want as a child and lose it as we age.
Personal thoughts
I know I spent 38 years walking, although it took a few years, I went from riding a bicycle to riding a motorcycle. Each new goal we master leads to another harder goal.
How this relates to business
Why should it be different in business? Small goals are what it takes to reach the larger goal. One way to look it life is; what do you want people saying about you at your funeral. Go to the end and set your long term goals from there. This should include what you want to be remembered for by those who become part of your life.
Success and failure
Every success and every failure teach us something. We are all human and are going to make mistakes. My business is no different. No one learns in a vacuum. It is those who take the time to let another know what is going to work, who make the difference.
What does it take?
I don’t remember my own first steps, many times though I do the first steps of others. In my case the last was a few months ago. There is no doubt this child would have learned to walk without my help. Holding my hands and trying to walk away from the wheelchair was her chosen method. This I never denied her.
Time
Did this take time from my business? Yes, in the end though my choice was to be remembered as the one who gave the time. Nothing was more important to me at that moment. In her little mind it was no different. She was given what she needed. She wanted someone to make her feel what she was doing was important.
Relaxation
Was I able to return to work and concentrate on what had to be done? Yes, the time I spent with this child in the end made a difference to her, however no real difference to the business. My business is still here and I am still earning.
Each new goal achieved is branding
As a child; as we learn something new a new name is given. First we are a baby, then a toddler, child, and so on. In business the same applies. Each accomplishment is noticed by others, this is your branding until you become an expert or specialist in your field.
Long term VS short term goals
Your long term goals should never change. Short and medium goals can. If what you are doing to achieve your long term goal isn’t working make changes in your short term goals. Many times a simple tweak is all it takes. It is important to measure how each thing you is working. This is so you can make changes rapidly if something isn't.
Programs
Every program we joined when we first started our business is still part of our plan. Each had value which is why we joined in the first place. Those are now handled by others who are motivated to earn from and share them. Tools on the other hand we pass on to those who can use them.
Program jumping
It is way too easy to be caught up in program jumping. If you do your research before joining a program, work it. Don’t jump to another thinking the grass is greener. Each jump reduces your chances of success. The reality is you are building a personal brand, which will work for any program.
In the end
What matters is taking the first steps. If you don’t know how to research a company you are interested in, ask someone. Not someone in the company, you want someone who can give an honest opinion. Chances are you are going to have a sponsor, talk to them before you join under them. Personal relationships are going to be important. If you don’t know or like your sponsor it changes to a situation you don’t want. Success is possible only if you find yourself willing to take the first steps.
Comments
Dennis, thanks for sharing this great post about business branding with us. L&S.
Thanks for sharing Nichola. Most of what I publish is evergreen which means it had relevance 100 years ago and should 100 years in the future. This is one of those articles. Brands are supposed to be seen just as we see people. We don't know everything about everyone, so not everything good or bad has to be shared. Some of each should be part of the brand, just as it is part of life.
Dennis, thanks for sharing this valuable information about first steps in business branding! L&S
Thanks Merle, Ann, and Terri. The email notification system isn't working correctly. I dislike cliches however if you don't use Know, like, trust people really don't understand what internet marketing is all about. You can't make everyone happy, so you have to pick and choose. This is going to mean saying no, and meaning it.
Terri I quite often have people living in my home. It is part and parcel of my social cause. There are some with whom I have had to learn tolerance. Generally in time a working relationship is formed. There have been very few with whom this isn't possible. Those we place elsewhere.
Getting to know, like and trust people is key in business. If you can't be on a two week vacation with someone, you surely don't want to be in business with that person either. Great post Dennis, sharing for more to see.
I get it all the time Dennis and some just don't want to take NO for an answer. I have enough to do with what I am in at the moment and don't have the time. I tell them this but then they say just take a look I am sure you will want this. Been there, done it and got the tee shirt !!
Thanks Merle. I am always having people try to sign me up to new programs. I as graciously as possible decline. Two of the programs we belonged to are no longer on the internet. Most of the others are tools we use in one way or another. Everything we joined we did research on, on these two it seems we missed something. Our primary business is branding/marketing for others. There is no residual income from it.
Great post Dennis, I think a lot of us are guilty of programme jumping. I tried many in the past and got bitten. Also if we don't make mistakes we never learn. Thanks for sharing this great read.