Working Miracles

When a Plan Comes Together

I love it when a plan comes together.

It was 18 months ago that my husband and I had the idea to volunteer to move overseas.

Today, as I write this I am working from the kitchen table in our apartment in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The process of pursuing an idea to its realization has been frustrating, unexpected, frightening and exciting. It’s also been a lot of work.

But here I am, and having turned an idea – a dream really – into reality, it’s time to start again. It is time to set new goals, create a new plan and pursue a new set of tasks intended to make my new dreams a reality.

In short: it is time to practice what I preach.

It’s time, once again, to revise my simple business plan.

Vision

I know I plan to pursue business coaching here in Africa. There is a great need for new, well trained entrepreneurs here in this country where unemployment is 25% and half the population lives in poverty. With opportunities in a new market and new personal goals it is time to hone my vague intentions into a concise and meaningful vision statement.

Mission

My mission has not changed. I still plan to help independent business people create businesses that work. But my “who and do what” may be different for my two markets. I need to take some time to understand the small business operator in this country. I hear the words they use to describe their stresses and challenges and to match my product to their compelling need.

Objectives

This part will take some thought. I know there is much to do to begin anew in a new country. I defiantly need a better understanding of the culture. I will take some time with this, test my market and allow my objectives to reveal themselves.

Strategies

I actually have some strategies already in place; since it is my intention to get to know my new market, I intent to make myself visible. I have arranged to begin local networking and to join at least two international coaching associations. My new life in the center of a thriving city provides plenty of opportunity.

Action Plan

This is the place for my to-do list. Right now, as I transition from one continent to another it is filled with necessary tasks: learn to drive on the left side of the road, learn my way around town, finish moving out of my house in the States. As I learn my way around, I will set my priorities to match the strategies and objectives I’ve stated. And, once again , I will be on my way to making my vision a reality.

How about you? Are you clear on your vision and what you have to do to get there? If not, I can help.

Are you a 1950’s Factory Worker?

Doesn’t it seem like all the really smart entrepreneurs, the ones who really built something impressive, did not do well in school?

How about you? How was school for you? Chances are the characteristic that made you an independent business person today did not serve you well back in your hometown elementary school.

As an independent operator you are almost surely an independent learner. You may have found school tedious or challenging because you did not fit into the common learning model designed to train 1950’s factory workers; a model that emphasizes ridged schedules and repetitive tasks.

Factory Worker by HansDB

Chances are learning was hard for you, but that was then.

Now you are an entrepreneur. Now you have a business of your own. And now you can direct your learning in ways that will benefit you, not some authority figure.

You Can Learn What You Were Never Taught

Do you have all the skills you need to build the business you can imagine? Do you? Because, unless you are really, really special, you did not learn practical business skills in school.

That is why I created the Working Miracles Group Coaching Program. This is a low cost, low time commitment program designed to teach business skills in a supportive peer group.

I believe passionately in the imperative to keep on learning. No one should stop learning just because they are no longer in school and, this is especially true for people who have their own business. You can see a vision of success far beyond the security and routine offered by the education you got. Now is the time to get the education you need.

Is This You?

Entrepreneurs and independently minded small business operators are not like most people. Average people are taught in school to adhere to ridged schedules and tolerate repetitive work. Rocking the boat is not acceptable behavior. For many of these individuals, failure is something to be avoided at all cost.

The truth is most of us were taught to be 1950 factory workers.

If you are an independent business person, you have already set yourself apart from the average worker. Chances are you are motivated more by the success you can imagine than by the fear of failure.

Consequently you are willing to take risks to succeed. This point of view drives you to examine many alternatives and seek out more than one solution.

Welcome to the Club!

The Working Miracles Group Coaching program is designed for people like you. Group coaching is not a class room experience. It is an opportunity to meet regularly with like minded people to explore alternatives, learn from shared experience and test out possible solutions in a safe environment.

Never Stop Learning

I get that school might not be your thing but continuous learning is still important. The world moves too fast and there are too many opportunities out there to quit learning.

This is especially true for people with the action oriented learning style of the independent operator. The world needs your innovation and imagination. Join the Working Miracles Group Coaching program to see just how special you are.