Visualisation is described as 'the formation of a mental image of something', and we are told that it is very helpful in succeeding to achieve a goal. And it is in some situations. However, you must also take some action towards your goal. Visualisation is insufficient by itself.
Currently, many businesses around the world are floundering or folding. It's a damn hard place to be as a business owner to see your life's passion crumbling because of something that you have no control over. You are not just losing a job, you are losing so much more.
We watch as good businesses are crumbling daily through no fault of the owner and the support offered by governments will not keep all businesses going for the foreseeable future. With every business that folds, many jobs go with them. Unemployment is demoralising and impacts on our wellbeing.
Visualising your business continuing through this Covid-crisis won't work, nor will sitting back and waiting for things to unfold. Keeping a business running in times like these takes both visualisation and action on your part.
There are two types of visualisation: outcome visualisation which involves envisioning achieving a goal; and process visualisation which involves envisioning each of the actions necessary to achieve an outcome. It is the latter technique that we can use to help keep our businesses going.
Here is a quick model that may be helpful if your business is struggling. Get with a group of people, some who are business owners and others who know nothing about running a business as they will bring a different lens to find solutions. Each of us is limited in findig new ideas because of our own experiences, having other people assisting extends that experience and knowledge base.
Next, come up with a list of actions to take to keep your business going - diversification of your product or service, seeking a wage subsidy, requesting rent relief, finding an outside investor, collaborating with a similar business, finding a business partner, operating differently - come up with as many ideas as you can.
That's just the start, we now must expand each of these solutions into smaller steps, just as we would when using the process visualisation technique.
Choosing diversification as an example from our list, expand that topic and come up with ideas on how you can diversify your business - expand the product range, go online, look for a gap in the market, change your client base, alter your marketing strategy, offer a range of delivery options - come up with as many opportunities to diversify your business as possible.
Then, look at the next option and go through the same process, repeating for every option on your earlier list.
That's still not enough, we have to make these smaller steps even simpler still which will provide us with a much clearer plan and a greater chance of success at each step. Success is what drives us as humans, as we achieve each step of our plan we get a shot of dopamine as a reward which provides us with further motivation.
Examining the topic of expanding your product range - what products compliment your current range, what products might the market need, which product cost range shall you target, which products are counter to what you offer - again look at each one in closer detail. Then, take another option from your list and expand that one.
As you work through this exercise, you will feel energised and be in a much better position to visualise your plan.
At the conclusion of this expansion, make your plan even clearer by numbering the activities from the easiest to the most difficult. Taking the easiest activity first provides the greater chance of success and gives us the drive to keep going. Self-induced neuroplasticity, driving a new neural pathway, a new way of thinking if you prefer.
There's your new business plan! If you need finance, logistics, or some other support then again go through this same activity-focussed planning method of visualising each step and examining how to make that step work.
Sitting and waiting for things to happen in today's environment is not good business practice at the best of times, nor is visualising continuing in business when the future is uncertain. Taking action is the key, positive action with a firm goal in mind.
If you need assistance or clarification on this technique, I would be happy to assist you. I am a business owner just like you, working hard to stay in business.
Let's talk!