Too many times in life we compare all that we are with others – this could be our family, our homes, our cars, our work, our lives, our bank account balances, our dress size, and so much more. But it’s more than just our personal lives as it seems to be the way of the world – we compare this burger from this family restaurant with that burger in that family restaurant; we compare this shoe brand with another one; we compare football teams. And we allow others to weigh in on that comparison mindset – you should have this brand, you should shop here, you should watch this show, you should weigh this much and wear this size.
It seems to be the way everything is – there’s always something bigger and better; something worth more value. But if we continue to look at life this way, we are going to be unhappy with decisions we make as well as their outcomes. It’s not going to be easy to be satisfied with what we do, where we go, who we know – there will always be something else.
However, in the business world, there is no time to sit still and compare what we do have against what we don’t have – unless it’s part of the strategy of doing business. But you do need to know when to draw the line. For example, it’s OK to look at your competitors in the marketplace and know what they are doing, their services and products, but it’s not OK to say that you don’t measure up to that standard and you’re in different leagues. It’s also not OK to degrade your competitors and talk trash about them, because whilst you may think you are winning the strategy game, you actual lose your integrity and reputation. You may offer similar products and/or services, but you are still unique, and finding what makes your business unique is going to be the strategy that sets you apart – and not the comparison that draws battlelines.
Every business needs to have a strategy to move forward, and if you are stuck comparing everything that you do and provide, then perhaps moving forward is at a snail-pace rather than your own unique journey. As a business owner/leader, what are your strategies to take your business further? Do you have a business plan?
One of the simplest forms of business plans I have put into action are the 90 Day Plan, 1 Year Plan, and/or 2 Year Plan. These are simple plans that can remain in front of you on a daily basis so you know where you are going and how you are going to get there. Don’t worry about your competitors – perhaps they are reading this exact same blog and putting into place their own strategy, and I’m not entirely sure that you will be a part of that plan. You need your own plan to run your own race to go through your own journey to arrive at your own destination.
Each of us is different, and we need to embrace our differences. We don’t need to be comparing everything with everyone everywhere, but we do need to have a vision and purpose for what we do. When we work out the vision and purpose, how are you going to get there – that’s where the strategies come into play.
To help you out, because I also was helped out, if you would like the following templates to assist you in putting together 90 Day Plan, 1 Year Plan, and a 2 Year Plan, simply contact me (admin@fourcore.com.au). These are not the comprehensive business plans that you need if you are going to ask the bank for a loan; these are simple templates to write down goals and actions to achieve those goals. Keep these in a place where you will see them every day (right next to your computer screen, on your desk, etc). If you don’t have these in front of you regularly, you’ll forget about them and not action them.
These plans will be your strategies to meet your goals; goals set on your vision and purpose for your business, and not in comparison to what your competitors are doing. Remember that these strategies only work if you put action to them. So grab your plans and start planning strategies to reach goals for your business.
NB: Shout out to Wez Hone of Business Greenhouse for sharing these plans and allowing us to share as well.