How to Use Visualization to Achieve Your Goals

Smart Business Thinking by Jim Whelan

Recently a client asked us at Smart Business Thinking if Visualization can help her succeed? That’s a very good question and one we enjoy responding to.

Visualization is a powerful method of achieving personal success.

Let’s look at the difference between Vision and Visualization.

VISION is applicable to both organizations and individuals. It is the conceptualizing of a future event or condition which the author wishes to accomplish.

"Land a man on the moon and safely return him to earth by the end of this decade." President John F. Kennedy.

This Vision is a simple statement of what JFK wanted to reach before the decade was out.

VISUALIZATION is applicable to individual(s). You, the Visualizer, see in your mind the thing you want to create. The power of visualization is that you not just see it; you feel it, as if it were already real.

Focus your mind on having reached the goal, and thereby making decisions and employing tactics to match that outcome.

As the astronauts went through their training for the moon mission it’s probable that in their minds they saw and felt what it is like to already have it.

They picture in their minds:

Successful launch

Orbiting the moon

Identifying the landing site

Landing, walking and planting the American flag on the moon

Return to the spaceship

Returning to earth

Another example of Visualization is the Olympic athlete who visualizes during the grueling hours of training, standing on the winner’s platform receiving the gold medal. The individual incorporates into her mind the picture of having reached the goal.

Bottom Line?

Successful people from many walks of life use visualization to help them achieve beyond their comfort level.

Jim Whelan, experienced executive, coaches business owners on Strategic Business Choices, Written Goals, Value and Mission Statements that actually Improve Results.

With Jim’s coaching, New, Small, and Troubled Businesses develop Operational Plans, Future Contingencies Focused on Outcomes and an Exit Strategy,

Do We Need A Strategic Plan?

Do We Need A Strategic Plan?

Smart Business Thinking by Jim Whelan

"In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable." 
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)

A common question we at Smart Business Thinking are asked is whether or not a strategic plan is really necessary. A very good question and an important one, too, for anyone working toward building a successful business.

Focus on the Eisenhower quote. It’s not the end result of a written plan that is the key ingredient. The thought process of deciding the ultimate target and how to achieve it is the way to win the battle.

So let’s think about strategic thinking (strategy) rather than a strategic plan. Strategic thinking focuses on the core purpose of the business and possible ways you can reach that objective.

I’ve had a successful business owner maintain he has never had a strategic plan. Yet when he spoke to a group about building a business, it is clear he has strategically thought through why he is in business and developed a process in his mind that is an effective strategy.

Although the plan isn’t written down, it exists in his mind and his company is following the strategy.

Returning to the question: Is a strategic plan really necessary?

Necessary? Not if we agree with General Eisenhower . But we must assume there is a strategy developed after careful consideration of the ultimate objective and includes means of achieving the goal.

Desireable? For most I believe it is. As long as it reflects the analysis and results-oriented thinking used to develop the strategy. It can be a communication tool providing all understand it is subject to revision as conditions change

Bottom Line? A strategy is the overriding impetus guiding an organization. Implementing strategy must be flexible that adjusts to current circumstances. Be careful not to get caught in the strategic plan web.

Jim is an expert business coach and a respected advisor management and financial executives. He draws on his long-term business leadership background to help CEOs grow revenue, increase profits, improve performance.

Dealing With Success

Smart Business Thinking by Jim Whelan

Dealing With Success

“When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.”

Oscar Wilde

Your business is built on a passion to be an expert. This is true whether launching a new, or growing your existing business.

Many times this passion is not enough to succeed. Building a business requires a strategic plan based on a clearly defined end objective. 
Many small business owners eventually realize they have to learn business growth and management skills.

Some of the ways that you can succeed and stay for the long run are: 

1.     Understanding finances - Financial experience tends to be a weak link in many small businesses. Assuming you are in business to make money, develop an understanding of finances that affect the business.

• Cash Is King. Understand the difference between profits and cash. Profit is an accounting concept while cash pays bills. Rely on a cash flow spread sheet and an account receivable report to keep close tabs on positive cash flow. 

2.     Make changes in operations to accommodate growth – “Back of the envelope” wont carry you far. A "Shoebox Bookkeeping" system is overcome quickly. Look at the way you do business and identify changes that could make a major impact on the way you operate.

3.      Use technology in innovative ways - Look for ways to integrate technology to improve your business. Another industry may be using a system that you can modify for yours.

4.     Control operations expenses - Search for businesses that are using effective models and emulate their operations. Seek out advice from your mastermind or business group.

5.     Keep head count low – Consider new employees a long-term commitment. Hire only when you absolutely must.

6.     Mentally prepare you for success  - As counter-intuitive as it seems, the possibility of success keeps some business owners awake at night.

The Bottom Line

Create a plan that projects a successful business.

You can only manage what you can control. Develop an overall system of controlling the various aspects of your business to build a successful business.

Jim is an expert business coach and a respected advisor management and financial executives. He draws on his long-term business leadership background to help CEOs grow revenue, increase profits, improve performance.   

Mastermind – Quite Possibly your Business’s Most Effective Growth Strategy – Smart Business Thinking

Smart Business Thinking by Jim Whelan

Mastermind – Quite Possibly The Most Effective Business Growth Strategy – Smart Business Thinking

CEOs and entrepreneurs focused on improved performance frequently are alone. They should investigate a mastermind group because it connects them with like-minded people. Otherwise, it’s easy to get isolated and stray from business basics.

Mastermind is outlined in Napoleon Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich. Hill studied the richest men of the early 1900’s and wrote the book detailing his observations. 

One of the common practices of those wealthy men was that they took part in a mastermind, helping each other solve problems.

The following are three elements of a mastermind group. Providing an idea of how they work and whether or not they might be for you.

1 – A Mastermind is about helping each other solve problems and move forward in their goals.

A mastermind group is not a networking group, a support group, or an advisor board.  

2 – A Mastermind generates ideas and resources.
A Mastermind uses the education, experience, and influence of the others in the group. When a committed group of business CEOs gives their full attention to one person and her strategic goals, all kinds of ideas are generated. Resources and connections are often discovered in the process.

3 – Masterminds are effective because you expand beyond your old limits.

When you join a Mastermind group, you know it’s not going to be about staying in your comfort zone. In fact, this is one of the biggest reasons people want to take part in a Mastermind! They know that success rarely comes from inside their comfort zones.

The Bottom line?
A mastermind alliance takes effort, commitment, and leadership. As in every endeavor, the results are proportionate to the involvement expended. It is only for those who see the possibilities.

Jim is an expert business coach and a respected advisor to management and financial executives. He draws on his long-term business leadership background to help CEOs grow revenue, increase profits, improve performance.   

What Do You Do When You Hit a Bump in the Road? - Smart Business Thinking

 What Do You Do When You Hit a Bump in the Road? -  Smart Business Thinking

During a luncheon talk, I was presenting a concept that I found from my experience a powerful cornerstone of success  “We Become What We Think About Every Day". At the Q&A, a participant asked “What do you do when you hit a bump in the road?”

A strategic plan is based on a clearly-defined end objective - Vision. In my experience, the one element that is etched in stone is the vision. There have been times when I set a vision and during the journey uncovered a milestone I had overlooked.  

When I had a vision to be VP Treasurer I had identified a specific job as a milestone to my objective. Arriving at that point in time, I hit a bump in the road - the job had been eliminated. But the vision was still intact so I movedI on to the next milestone.  

Bottom Line?

The key is to establish a crystal clear vision. Secondly, set up a system that keeps you focused daily on the outcome. When running into an unexpected hiccup a bump in the road will be only that – a bump in the road.

Jim is an expert business coach and a respected advisor to management and financial executives. He draws on his long-term business leadership background to help CEOs grow revenue, increase profits, improve performance.   

What’s the distinction between Vision and Goals?

 Vision -in a strategic plan is a crystal clear picture that provides strategic direction of where you want your company to be in the future.  

Crystal Clear - "In three years we are the company's top producing region” – with that focus there’s no doubt where they’re headed. (Notice I said “are” not “will be” – more on that later)

No marshmallows -  "to attract customers we will offer superior service"- you’re doing What to attract Whom?

 Goals - Are the action plan of specific accomplishments that fulfills the vision.

Specific Accomplishment – “We will increase sales to Fortune 500 companies 10% each year for the next three years.” That provides sustainable growth.

Marshmallow - "we will raise our sights to improve market share". Really! What does that mean or accomplish?

Any company that has a definite objective and has thought through the means to achieve it is well on the way to success.

Jim is an expert business coach and a respected advisor to management and financial executives. He draws on his long-term business leadership background to help CEOs grow revenue, increase profits, improve performance.