There’s a lot of decisions to make when you’re starting your business (+ growing it). However, I’d argue clarifying what you want (+ don’t want) is crucial for your business. Not only will it save you headaches, but it’ll allow you to stand strong in your decisions + make moving forward much easier. I’ll share 2 super quick + easy exercises that I do (more than I’d like to admit) and go back to every time I feel uncertain about what I’m doing (which, again is way more than I’d like to admit). If you feel that you’re finding it difficult to make decisions or gain the clarity for your business – start here. 

Why is clarifying what you want crucial for your business? 

1 | Focus

Ultimately, clarity helps you gain a tremendous amount of focus. There is really an infinite amount of choices out there that you can make. When you know what you want, you can start narrowing down and learning to make decisions based on your vision. This will also help you when it comes to shiny object syndrome + the whole comparison game. If you know what you want + what you don’t want, you will limit your distractions, build a stronger foundation + not be shaken every time that ‘looks good’ comes around. (Which, from someone who’s done it – saves you a whole lot of time!)  

2 | Keeps you rooted in your own path

Your journey is going to be different than anyone else’s. Your path will look different, your experiences will look different, your past + your future, etc. everything will look different. Why? Because it’s YOURS! You are unique, your vision is unique, your goal is unique and there’s a special kind of magic when you follow your own rules + make your dreams come true. But if you are distracted or comparing yourself or following everyone else, you won’t get there. You’ll only be going after what others want, rather than what you want. 

 Now, are you ready to do these super simple exercises?! 

 One major piece of advice I want to share + constantly remind you of, is that what you decide now, is not the end all be all. It’s not set in stone, it doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind later on, it doesn’t mean you will only ever do this one thing. So please, please, please (and I know it’s hard because I still at times feel this way) don’t feel that you’re limiting yourself or that decision will define the rest of your life. It won’t! It’s also important to keep in mind that you don’t have to want what everyone else or society tells you to want.

1 | Define what you DON’T want

Making a list of what you don’t want is as or even more important than making a list of what you want. I find that it’s also way easier to do + makes you realize that you really aren’t into ‘everything’.

Simply start by writing everything you don’t really want, for example:

Don’t want to be tied down to 1 location

Don’t want to have to travel

Don’t want to manage a large team

Don’t want to work 1-on-1 clients

Don’t want to work with corporate clients

Don’t want to work with small businesses

Don’t want to be working all hours of the day

etc..

These ‘don’ts’ are not limited to a phsyical or external want. These should also apply to your emotional + mental being.

2 | Make a list of what you DO want

Now, it’s time to do the opposite and write down everything you actually do want for your business + life. Once you’ve broken down the barriers of what you don’t want, it’s easier to clear through the mental clutter + define what YOU truly want.

Do want location freedom

Do want to work with major brands

Do want to work with small businesses

Do want to work alone

Do want to manage a big team

Do want to have more time

Do want to keep things simple

etc.

 BONUS | Make decisions for YOU

It’s important, again, to make these decisions for YOU. As you build your own business, you’re going to have to make a ton of decisions + it can get overwhelming quite quickly. If you’re unsure or basing your choices off of your competitors, society, what you think you ‘should’ do, you’re ultimately going to (at least potentially) regret your decisions and have to go back to fix them.

On a personal level, I’ve done this WAY TOO often! I know what it’s like to make decisions based on others. But I’ve realized every time I put the opinions of others in front of mine, my happiness suffered, my work suffered + I took up more time going backwards to change them.

The biggest tip I can give you when you’re writing down your list, is to limit distractions, don’t look at your competitors and ultimately ask yourself these two questions:

“am I deciding this for me?”

“why do I want (or not want) this?”

Those simple questions will make you dive in a little deeper to make sure you’re making the best decisions for yourself.

LEAVE A COMMENT! Did you find this simple exercise helpful?