Lifestyle Guru or Growth Maven?

In the previous video I spoke about the important distinction between the entrepreneur and the proprietor.

I explained that it is vital for you to know which appeals to you because it determines many attributes of the business systems you will put in place to create your perfect business.

There is a 2nd vital distinction for you to consider before you go any further. Watch this video to learn more:

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Here is the 5 question survey drawn from Jeff Landers’ book, Home Office Cure From Hell, as I described in the video. Answer the following 5 questions authentically from your heart and finish watching the video:

1. When you fantasize about your successful business, what scenario appeals to you the most?

1. Many employees, a nice office space buzzing with activity and the knowledge that you are building a well-known regional or national company and brand.
2. Great clients (that you pick and choose) with challenging and reputation-building projects, and a casual relaxed environment, plenty of extra time for leisure, home responsibilities, and family.

2. When you think about the perfect workday, which description is more in line with your way of thinking?

1. A cup of Starbucks coffee to get you going, in the office by 8:00 a.m., eat lunch at a fancy restaurant with a prospective client, high-powered afternoon meetings with investment bankers and members of the media, a strategic planning session with your senior staff, complete employee reviews until 7:30 p.m., meet with colleagues for networking and drinks, get home by 11 p.m.
2. Up at 8:00 a.m., get the kids off to school, at your desk in the spare bedroom working in your sweats until noon, grab a cold burrito from the fridge, conference call with clients while throwing a load of laundry into the washer, pick up the kids at school at 3 p.m., coach soccer, finish a new client proposal, and send invoices. Dinner with spouse and kids at 7:00 p.m., check email, blog, do a dozen little things that need to get done, read a few chapters of a good personal development book and in bed by 11 pm

3. What is your definition of personal success?

1. Building a major business with a legacy, respect of colleagues, financial independence, opportunities to use your position and wealth to make a difference in the world.
2. Independence, challenging and creative work, time with family and friends, a secure and consistent living, and service to the community.

4. I am more comfortable with a work environment that is ______________.

1. Formal. I prefer designated spaces for employees, clear boundaries between staff and management, a conference room for meetings, a receptionist to greet guests, and a clear beginning and end to the workday.
2. Informal. I prefer to multitask, moving between personal and professional obligations as they come up. I like to work in my pajamas or sweats (except when meeting clients). I prefer a workday schedule that corresponds to the needs of my family and clients, even if that means working at odd hours or occasionally on weekends.

5. What do you think your business will be like in 10 years?

1. My company, its brand, and its products will be recognized as a leader regionally, nationally, or internationally, have many employees, be positioned for consistent future growth, and be constantly innovating in new directions.
2. I will have a steady, not overwhelming stream of challenging work and an impressive reputation. I will make more than a comfortable living and have plenty of free time to be with family and friends.

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Be sure to go back and finish watching the video. I’ll give you the key to the survey. You might be surprised.

Which did you turn out to be, Growth Maven, Lifestyle Guru or maybe a little of both?

It’s not a exact science, but I think you can see that if you don’t know this you can really get into trouble fast. Most people have mental models of success that tends toward one or the other of these.

Be sure to share your results and comment below. And you enjoyed what was revealed consider clicking the ‘Like’ and ‘Tweet’ buttons above.

I’m standing for all that’s possible for you in life and business.

Sincerely,

Steve

PS – A lot of people invest themselves for years trying to build a business that ‘looks’ like the one in their mental model of success and even if they make some money, end up frustrated failures because they never stopped to decide how it REALLY needs to serve the life they want to live.

I’ve been lucky. Throughout my years in business I’ve surrounded myself with expert professional coaches and mentors who have instinctively known when I might be wandering off course or allowing my mental models to deceive me.

They have been able to offer the vital course-correcting advice and coaching that has saved me years of struggle and wasted effort as well as thousands upon thousands upon thousands of dollars.

I intend to provide you that kind of guidance here in this blog. Keep a careful watch for my next email because I’ll be delivering the next step to guaranteed success.