The one project missing from your strategic plan.
- Date: 2007-10-22 - Word Count: 705
Share This!
It's a given for your business: you want next year to be different than this year. And so all kinds of projects and tasks end up on your to-do list. Marketing, office structures, product/offer creation, client care, technology.
Very important, this doing of things. Without action, very little manifests, no matter how clear your intentions are.
And yet, will next year look different? What's more, you may find yourself spinning your wheels some, lackluster, running the gerbil wheel.
What gives? Is it too much action?
Not exactly. It's just that something's missing.
You need a learning project.
Every business is either developing, or dying. Now, 'developing' doesn't always mean 'growth'- but it does mean changing, living, becoming a new version of itself. Otherwise stagnancy sets in, after which comes dying, and death.
Want to avoid that kind of stagnant business death? Then, add a learning focus to your strategic planning.
A learning focus is when you identify some aspect of your business that you're really curious about, and with which you want to have a healthier, more robust, more functional relationship.
Some examples of past learning projects at Heart of Business.
- Money. I declared one year to be the year I was going to learn about money. And that was my focus. The Heart of Money Transformational Journey was the course that was born from that.
- Systems and structures. Another year, I declared to be the year of learning about systems and structures. How do systems really work, and how can they be implemented to support the business, without dehumanizing it?
- The current focus. Teamwork and leadership. I had always struggled with incorporating assistants or collaborators with Heart of Business, Inc. This past year I declared that I wanted to learn about healthy teamwork and leadership.
Before action comes learning.
Without first taking the time to learn, it's really hard to know what will be effective action. Kinda obvious, I know, but it's really easy to slide over this and just want to jump in with both feet.
I'm a big fan of just jumping in. And yet, when the stakes are high, or when you care about something a lot, even just starting a learning project before jumping can save you a lot of grief afterwards.
So, how do you select a learning project? And, more importantly, what do you -do- with a learning project? Well, let me share what I've learned with you.
Keys to Learning Projects
* Many from one. One business. Many needs. What are all the things you are striving to do in the business? Make a list? What are all the areas in your business where you are struggling? Make a list.
Here are some ideas to spark your brainstorm: money, accounting, delegation, systems, marketing, sales, technology, writing, websites, blogging, dealing with upset customers, leading teleclasses, product creation, strategic planning, setting goals...
Any other areas of business you're struggling with? Take a few minutes and jot them down onto the list.
* One from the many.
There may be a lot of things that your business needs, but just pick one. And make it your intention and focus over the course of the year to get comfortable and familiar with it. To learn about it.
* Now, learn!
With a learning project or focus, you don't set outcome-based goals for yourself. There isn't a big to-do list, or that many measurable results that you set. It's about setting an intention and learning.
First, set the intention to have beginner's mind, and to take the pressure of creating specific results off yourself.
Second, canvas your resources. Make a list of books to read, websites or blogs to connect with, people to interview or otherwise. Start with one book, and making a lunch or tea date with one person.
Third, once you've gained some familiarity with it, I would suggest even looking for a class to take, some place where you can be guided to integrate your self-learning.
Slow down on some of your to-do's, and add a 'to-learn' project to your list for the year. And don't be surprised if at the end of the year you've accomplished some very concrete outcomes, even without planning for them.
You'll find that instead of recycling the same problem over and over again, the next will find you and your business in new territory in a very satisfying way.
Very important, this doing of things. Without action, very little manifests, no matter how clear your intentions are.
And yet, will next year look different? What's more, you may find yourself spinning your wheels some, lackluster, running the gerbil wheel.
What gives? Is it too much action?
Not exactly. It's just that something's missing.
You need a learning project.
Every business is either developing, or dying. Now, 'developing' doesn't always mean 'growth'- but it does mean changing, living, becoming a new version of itself. Otherwise stagnancy sets in, after which comes dying, and death.
Want to avoid that kind of stagnant business death? Then, add a learning focus to your strategic planning.
A learning focus is when you identify some aspect of your business that you're really curious about, and with which you want to have a healthier, more robust, more functional relationship.
Some examples of past learning projects at Heart of Business.
- Money. I declared one year to be the year I was going to learn about money. And that was my focus. The Heart of Money Transformational Journey was the course that was born from that.
- Systems and structures. Another year, I declared to be the year of learning about systems and structures. How do systems really work, and how can they be implemented to support the business, without dehumanizing it?
- The current focus. Teamwork and leadership. I had always struggled with incorporating assistants or collaborators with Heart of Business, Inc. This past year I declared that I wanted to learn about healthy teamwork and leadership.
Before action comes learning.
Without first taking the time to learn, it's really hard to know what will be effective action. Kinda obvious, I know, but it's really easy to slide over this and just want to jump in with both feet.
I'm a big fan of just jumping in. And yet, when the stakes are high, or when you care about something a lot, even just starting a learning project before jumping can save you a lot of grief afterwards.
So, how do you select a learning project? And, more importantly, what do you -do- with a learning project? Well, let me share what I've learned with you.
Keys to Learning Projects
* Many from one. One business. Many needs. What are all the things you are striving to do in the business? Make a list? What are all the areas in your business where you are struggling? Make a list.
Here are some ideas to spark your brainstorm: money, accounting, delegation, systems, marketing, sales, technology, writing, websites, blogging, dealing with upset customers, leading teleclasses, product creation, strategic planning, setting goals...
Any other areas of business you're struggling with? Take a few minutes and jot them down onto the list.
* One from the many.
There may be a lot of things that your business needs, but just pick one. And make it your intention and focus over the course of the year to get comfortable and familiar with it. To learn about it.
* Now, learn!
With a learning project or focus, you don't set outcome-based goals for yourself. There isn't a big to-do list, or that many measurable results that you set. It's about setting an intention and learning.
First, set the intention to have beginner's mind, and to take the pressure of creating specific results off yourself.
Second, canvas your resources. Make a list of books to read, websites or blogs to connect with, people to interview or otherwise. Start with one book, and making a lunch or tea date with one person.
Third, once you've gained some familiarity with it, I would suggest even looking for a class to take, some place where you can be guided to integrate your self-learning.
Slow down on some of your to-do's, and add a 'to-learn' project to your list for the year. And don't be surprised if at the end of the year you've accomplished some very concrete outcomes, even without planning for them.
You'll find that instead of recycling the same problem over and over again, the next will find you and your business in new territory in a very satisfying way.
Related Tags: leadership, teamwork, strategic planning, project, identify, strategic plan, developing, heart of business, stagnant business, functional relationship
Mark Silver is the author of Unveiling the Heart of Your Business: How Money, Marketing and Sales can Deepen Your Heart, Heal the World, and Still Add to Your Bottom Line. He has helped hundreds of small business owners around the globe succeed in business without lousing their hearts. Get three free chapters of the book online: www.heartofbusiness.com. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The No. 1 Rule For Projecting Confidence - Speak With Authority
One of the most important characteristics a person can project in a business setting - or any situat - After the Autumn Checkout European Debt Crisis and U.S. Brewing Rebound
In the commotion caused by the Fed on interest rates come to an end, the "disastrous" for the euro a - Advantages Of Arcade Game Rentals
There are many different advantages to arcade game rentals. Most people need something to release th - A General Primer on Truck Cargo Nets
In modern highways it is quite rare to see truck cargo nets in action, this is because they are usua - The United States Will Burst More Severe Financial Crisis
Not long ago, suddenly announced that the central bank to raise interest rates, the interest rate hi - Niche Marketing Profits - 3 Easy Steps to Finding a Profitable Niche Market Income in 10 Minutes
Like most beginners I was having a very difficult time trying to find a niche market to earn extra m - The Importance of Hospitality Management Consulting Firms Toronto
Businesses and the managers that help guide any business are in a constant state of improvement and - New Keynesian Theory Label
2010 winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics three theories have been labeled as "New Keynesian" labe - Federal Reserve Pouring Money QE2 Unpredictable Fortune
U.S. economist Milton Friedman proposed a "throw the cash from a helicopter" view, while the practic - Fiscal Consolidation Should no Longer Delay
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today announced fiscal consolidation policy, shoc
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Common Financial Problems to Avoid
One must first change their habits and not procrastinate. American Consultants Inc at offers key fi - How a Bad Hire Can Hurt Your Business
What's worse - hiring the wrong person or not hiring anyone at all? Companies can become almost des - Joel Comm Is Dr. Adsense
What is Adsense? If you are new to making money online and net marketing, you may not know what Ads - 5 Steps For A Dynamic Wealth System Online
Recipe: Opportunity + knowledge + Dynamic Wealth System + Your Action = Massive Success!!! Step 1 - How To Stop Foreclosure
Losing your house to a foreclosure can be very scary. There are times when circumstances are ou - How to Always Pitch A Strike
As business owners, we are always working on new ways to convince people to become customers, client - Membrane Diffuser Solutions for Wastewater Treatment Systems
In the aeration basin of a typical wastewater treatment plant there are both organic and inorganic m - Another Year Hating Your Job or Loving Life?
Copyright © 2007 Mary Foley I've come to the conclusion that to be successful - really successf - Dyestuff Industry In India And China
World demand for dyes and organic pigments to touch $10.6 billion in 2008According to a study on dye - Cma-cgm Case : the Series of Lawsuits Continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England and the United States
Damietta company case : The series of lawsuits continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England a