#10   S-t-r-e-t-c-h!

As entrepreneurs we have a choice. We can set small goals that will keep our business running as is or we can set transformative goals that allow us to stand out from the competition, give us greater visibility, expand our client reach and generate more money. All it takes is the desire to create a successful business and the willingness to stretch out of your comfort zone.
 
Below are a few suggestions on how you and your business can go from ordinary to extraordinary by stretching on a regular basis. Your destiny--your success--is waiting for you on the other side of discomfort, "the burn", and even the fear that comes from stretching.

Commit to Ongoing Self Discovery

Self-discovery can be uncomfortable or downright painful. Perhaps you aren't used to focusing on yourself, sharing your life stories, or revisiting the past. Yet it is through such exploration that you reveal who you really are, discover what motivates you, remember long forgotten passions, and unearth experiences and skills that would benefit your business.

I truly believe that self discovery helps build a strong foundation for business.  Therein lay the gems of your business that reflect your core competencies, your unique product or service offering, your marketing and your USP--your unique selling proposition. Stretch and rediscover to fully understand what makes you tick so you can build a business that is juicy and exciting.
 

Focus On Business Transforming Activities

Stretch by taking transformative actions on a regular basis.  Transformative actions:

• generate greater visibility
• generate more revenue
• generate more interest in you or your company
• position you as a thought or industry leader

 Write your "To Do" list for the day or week then go through it with a highlighter.  Highlight only those tasks that meet one or more of the criteria above.  Work on no more than two business transformation activities a day. Multitasking doesn't make a great business. Focus does. Focus on activities that position you as the "guru" or your company as an industry leader or innovator.
 

Do Something That Scares the Hell Out of You. Repeat.

We all come up against things in our business that sends us running in the other direction.  For me, it is public speaking.  Despite this fear, I know that getting in front of groups to share what I know about business is exactly what I need to do to gain visibility and grow my client base. Consequently, I have signed up for Lizbeth Phelps' Inspired Leadership Training. When I'm finished with that challenge, I'll be on to my next one. What are you afraid of that you know will help grow your business? Commit to tackling it today! Once you have, go after another goal that scares you.

Nely Galan of gaLAn entertainment said it perfectly at the recent Make Mine a Million Conference in Newark, NJ, "I commit to growing everyday, by any means necessary." Nely's enormous success is living proof of her drive to stretch, learn and grow daily.
 

Set the Goal, Make the Plan,
Then Forget About the Outcome.

No one captures this better than Nike with their slogan, "Just Do It." Set the goal, and then start taking action towards it today. Now. You may not have all the answers on how to do something (launch a business, create a new program, land that big client, etc.) but unless you start to move in that direction, nothing is going to happen (Newton's first law).  Stop ruminating over how you're going to do something, and just get started. Keep your eye on the goal, do periodic course checks and corrections and keep moving forward. Ask yourself regularly, "Is what I'm working right now taking me closer to my goal?"
 

Feel the Burn

If you're not feeling any discomfort, you're not pushing yourself.  Much like running or exercising - you know you're pushing yourself when you move into the 'discomfort zone' - and that is when you make the most gains.  Mohammad Ali said 'I run until it hurts - that is when I start to train".  Push the envelope, stretch to be as big as you know you can be-feel the burn. Pushing through discomfort gives you the confidence to know you can take on bigger challenges in your business, and life.
 

What Do Guts Have to Do With It?

Owning a business takes courage. It means pushing through the status quo, leaving the "safety" of a corporate job and testing yourself--or your big idea--to see if you're up to the challenge.  It means stretching to overcome failures, face success and move into the future that awaits you. It takes guts.
 

• It takes guts to do self-discovery work and find out you are as brilliant as everyone says.
• It takes guts to own what you're good at and build an amazing business.
• It takes guts to make a prospect call because that client just may be interested.
• It takes guts to introduce yourself to a new person at a networking event as he or she just may be your best client, future business partner or soul mate.
• It takes guts to let go of past failures or pain and live into your future because you success or joy might be waiting for you there.
• It takes guts to act without knowing the outcome because that means you're willing to let go of control and let the world conspire to help you.
• It takes guts to think big, act big and look fear of success in the face.
• It takes guts to ask for what you want or need   because you just might get it. Then what?

 
Set Yourself Up

Stretch by making a public commitment to something big, even if you don't feel like you're ready for it. Pitch that "ideal" client, set a date for your seminar, launch your website even though it still needs "tweaking", start writing thoughts down even though you "have nothing yet to say", invite a prospective strategic partner or mentor to lunch. Get over thoughts such as "I'm not ready," I'm not big enough for them to be interested in me," or "This could be better". Make a public commitment to something that you must do to move your business forward. One of the success factors of Weight Watchers is the public commitments people make to losing weight. Do it today.
 

Act As If

Many years ago, I produced a very high profile fundraising event. I was scared to death as I had never done an event of this caliber before. Any mistakes would be highly visible since the event principals were very prominent--former President and Mrs. H. W. Bush, diplomats and corporate VIPs. The event was hugely successful and afterwards a colleague commented on how comfortable I appeared interacting with these VIPs. I cracked up and told her I was scared to death and terrified the whole time.  She was shocked and asked how I did it. I said I didn't have a choice. I had chosen this challenge as an opportunity to grow and now I had to "act as if" I could do it,. I had to psych myself into that new role and had to reassure others that I was good at it-scared to death as I was. It's the, "Never let 'em see you sweat" approach and act as if everything was under control.
 
Below is a great quote that I have on my desk and in my bedroom. I invite you to cut it out and hang it in a place of visibility in your home or office. Act as if you can. Act as if you are. Act as if you already have...and you will.

 "When its time, get moving. After you've reflected and meditated, waited, prayed, and reaffirmed, act. Act on your instincts. Act without delay. Send the letter. Make the call. Pack the box. Issue the invitation. Get on the play. Act already! Act with your own best interest at heart. Act in accordance with your most closely held values. Act mindfully. Act on behalf of the very young or the very old or the very needy. Now and then, act half your age. Act out in your own living room, act up in public. Strut around and act as if you own the joint.

Act like the woman you've always wanted to be-and don't be surprised when suddenly you are!" - Author Unknown