The Ideals - What Do We Really Want From Our Business?

Most of us have some idea of what we want from our business and how much money we want to make. If you don't, now is the time to work that out. If you are not clear about where and how your business fits into your life and what lifestyle you desire, it is likely that your business will run you instead of the other way around. I am a big proponent in defining your "ideals" before writing a business plan, indeed, before starting a business. But it is never too late and as your business evolves, you may need to readdress your "ideals" occasionally.

Take some time now to fully flesh out the following. It may take a page or two for each area. You can list bullets or use prose, whatever works for you. Take out paper and pen or your computer and give yourself time to think through the following areas:

Ideal working lifestyle
Ideal customer or client
Ideal partners or collaborators
Ideal vendors or suppliers or service providers
Ideal working area or office and location
Ideal life (to insure your business supports and enhances it, not overtakes it!) Ideal finances/money (cash flow, income, expenses, capital, etc.)
Ideal business for you

When you are listing your ideals, try to let go of any judgment or thoughts about whether it is realistic or not. These are your desires and a definition of what would be best for you and your lifestyle. They may not come true 100% of the time, but can be used as a measure of whether you are getting what you desire from your business. Many business owners just live with crabby clients or late deliveries or a toxic work environment. Giving it some serious thought can help you to be clear about what you will and won't tolerate in your work life. And setting goals against these ideals along with creative actions can insure that most or all of your ideals can be realized within your business.

A brief example of an ideal work page is below.

My ideal work environment is:

• beautifully decorated with a sense of serenity, but energetic at the same time
• I will feel calm, energized and motivated when I walk into the room
• very organized
• professional feel
• near a large park, garden or countryside
• functional
• visitors and clients feel comfortable in the area
• enough space to both work and relax, for example, to stretch or do yoga at breaks
• in my home
• separated from my other home functions such as art studio, bedroom, etc.
• can be closed off from remainder of home
• air conditioned
• lots of light and with a window
• conducive to writing, researching and working with clients via phone
• lots of space for books and supplies
• best technology
• quiet space
• ergonomic furnishings
• easy to clean and maintain

Doesn't having this information make it much easier to tackle that business plan? Information created in identifying your ideal market aids you in developing a marketing plan. If you take the time to fully develop your desires for your business, the pay off will be huge.

All blog content is copyrighted, all rights reserved, Mary Anne Fields and Life Unfolds, 2006