Are you launching a new project or undergoing an up-level in your business?
Do you feel confused or overwhelmed about where to focus your energy first?
Are you getting easily sidetracked?
Any kind of up-level or restructure in a business can bring up all kinds of fears, confusion and doubts. It’s part of the process of growing.
However, us creative minds do follow a similar pattern and the most overwhelming barrier to growth tends to be a result of our own brilliance!
I have worked with so many Creatives over the years and we all share a very common gift……….our minds tend to be brimming with endless ideas and possibilities. You see, we tend to be good at multiple things. Which is awesome right!
It makes us diverse and adaptable and fabulous!
We can photograph weddings, children, dogs, food and anything else that’s put in front of us. We can offer multiple packages and offerings. We can write a book, give a speech, host a workshop, sell a product. In fact…..we can pretty much offer something to everyone!
However, the flip side to this wonderfully, expansive viewpoint, is that it can become a little confusing and a lot distracting!
It can very often make it difficult for us to focus on one main direction………especially when unexpected opportunities arrive on our doorstep.
Learning to stay focused takes real perseverance!
Just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should!
Plus………If we say yes to everything, we end up running a business that is ‘reactive’ and not ‘strategic.’
If you feel pulled in multiple directions at the moment, I hope the following exercise will help you to gain clarity over which path you need to take first. Even if you are fixed in your direction, you can still use this exercise for your marketing strategy, should you be unclear about where to focus your attention.
Exercise to Create Clarity
1. The Brain Dump
Write down all the possibilities you have before you….all the things you could do and possible directions you can take. Getting things out of your head and on to paper is the best way to un-clutter a confused brain!
2. Focus on your End Goal
This is your ‘End’ goal…..not your current goal. I’d like you to think much bigger than what you would like to achieve in the next year or so. Bigger than ‘booking another client’ or ‘making more money.’
1. Set a timer for 10 mins. Get a huge piece of paper. Draw a line down the middle and at the top title one side ‘career’ and the other ‘life.’
2. Write down everything you would like to have in your life in the next 5 years, both in your career and in your life.
What would you like to achieve? What would your family life look like? What would you be doing with your time? Where would you be living? What’s your financial goal?
3. Now, go back over your answers and circle the top 3 in each section.
This is the top 3 things that are the most compelling, exciting and inspiring to you in each section. You should have 6 things now in total. Can you refine it further? What is number 1 in each section: the goal that is more compelling to you than anything else?
3. Strategy
Look again at your ‘brain dump’ list. Now look at your Top answers in your ‘End Goal.’ I’d like you to answer the following:
- What path will get you to your ‘end goals’ in the easiest and quickest way?
- What path will get you to your ‘end goals’ in the most joyful and pleasurable way?
If your answers are both the same……AWESOME!!!! If they are not the same…..I’m going to offer some advice.
The quickest path is not always the most enjoyable one. However, the most joyful path, will always bring you to your goal, quicker than you think!
I hope this exercise helped…….if it did or you have any questions, then leave a comment below.
Wishing you a clear, focused and joyful week,
Do you struggle with time-management…..see the latest post here
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