Today is March 4th. Which is a homonym for March Forth! Let me make an argument for doing just that.
Awhile back I met a friend and colleague for lunch. We were going to continue a previous discussion about how we might work together. I thought I was so prepared. I had outlined a really cool workshop we could deliver together. Target audiences, key messages, logistics, the whole shebang.
She read it through, put down my masterpiece, and said, “That’s it?” I was crestfallen. This woman and I have literally been talking for years about how we could work together to empower women to change their world.
“That’s it?” I was crushed. “What do you mean?” I asked.
“This is good. But I was thinking we could create a whole program—not just a workshop.”
Anyone (or any fish) can think big!
Oh…she wanted more! She was thinking big; I was thinking small. We spent the next half hour brainstorming what a program might look like, and who our ideal clients would be. We were both excited about our prospects, and had clear next steps to research our market. We are now putting the finishing touches on our program description, and getting it ready to present to potential partners. And I’ve discovered that any program can be broken down into smaller workshops or other products, which doubles our revenue possibilities!
This experience really challenged me to look at my goals and objectives, and my plans for my life and my business. Was I thinking too small about everything? Possibly. But my brain was beginning to hurt. I couldn’t handle thinking bigger about every aspect of my business and my life. But I could deal with a little mind expansion in one area at a time. So, I’m focusing my efforts on this new program (more about this in future post), and on creating a few really powerful ways to work with professional women that fit easily into their lives, schedules and budgets.
Yes, thinking big created a bit more work on my end. But thinking big also created a lot more opportunities—not only for my clients to get mentoring and solutions that work for them, their budgets and their schedules—but for me too. More opportunities to work with women who want to transform their lives and their world by asking for (and getting) the money they deserve; more opportunities to diversify and expand my business. Everybody wins.
Is there an area of your life or your business that you’re thinking too small about?
Today is also National Grammar Day. One way to celebrate is by watching this…
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
No matter what others say, I think it is still interesting and useful maybe necessary to improve some minor things
Shamisen,
Good point. However, I challenge myself (and others) not to limit myself when thinking about change. And, many small changes can add up to something big!
Barbara