The amazing truth of where you’ve been and where you’re going

When I graduated from University, I was incredibly fortunate to go back-packing across Europe, travelling through several countries.

For a time, I was with a friend, but then we went our planned separate ways and I travelled solo for a few weeks.

I remember one leg of the trip I was arriving in Prague, via train, with an hour to find my way to the hostel to check in before the front desk closed for the day. I had to navigate through a strange city and language to find the hostel where I was staying for a few days - all arranged over the phone.

This was a time of pay phones and phonebooks….and very limited internet!

I remember nervously studying my travel book in anticipation of the train’s arrival, mapping out my route in my mind, trying to picture and plan each step.

I had to take the street car from the train station, get off at the correct stop, find the correct street, turn at the next correct street and then the next to find my way. Finding the landmarks and proper streets each step of the way.

And you know….I did it. I got there in time, sweaty and out of breath but happy and very relieved.

When I look back, I’m amazed at my younger self for handling that situation and getting myself to where I needed to be.

When I think about what I learned: I had a goal to reach a destination, and I had to figure out how to navigate the unknown - an unknown city, language, transportation system, to an unknown place. And, I did it one step at a time. Yes I had a map, but I had to transpose what I saw on paper of a very old city into what I was seeing on the street.

With each step and turn, I took the next step and the next.

Thinking about you running your business, I bet when you look back at the early days in your business, you’ve accomplished some pretty amazing things too. 

And, I suspect that you’ve had moments of doubting whether you’re capable, and then pulling off a big win along the way.

Pulling it off through a series of small steps. Not exactly sure, but knowing you’re going in the direction of a goal or end point you were aiming towards.

Running a business, just like navigating a new city, you can read or hear about how others have done it, but you still have to do it yourself for the first time.

Whether it’s navigating a new country and language, or finding the next right team member, or settling on a compensation plan to incent your team to hit their targets, your business’ growth is made up of a series of smaller decisions and actions, working towards a goal.

And, you’re forging a new path with each step you take. Trying, testing, observing, adjusting when needed.

Big things are achieved through the accumulation of smaller moments, decisions and actions.

And you exhibit courage and bravery with each new step.

Here’s to all the steps along the way that you’ve already conquered.

And, as you keep forging new paths, to new goals, you build on the last action you took. Before you know it, you’ll turn a corner and you’ll reach your destination.

What are you working towards right now? What are you taking steps to bring to life, create, or achieve at this moment in your business? Are you hiring, aiming for new revenue goals, launching a new offer, improving your systems…? Share in the comments or hit reply, let’s hear it!

NOW is YOUR time.

Ariana

Canadian Business Coach, Executive Coach, Nova Scotia