As the leader of your bookkeeping business, it’s your job to create a vision that’s big enough to withstand the stuff that’s going to come at you as you grow your business. And the more personal and more specific the vision is the better. It’s one thing to have a goal of turning over $500,000 in five years, but if you don’t have a clear picture of what that’s going to look and feel like, when the going gets tough, you will convince yourself that you don’t need the money anyway and quit.
A powerful vision isn’t just about money. It’s about how you will feel. What will it feel like when you are turning over $500,000, you have 10 bookkeepers working for you, you’re no longer doing the bookkeeping anymore and you have a fabulous Operations Manager who looks after the day to day running of your business? You have the flexibility to do other things that you love, spend more time with your kids, send them to private schools, pay off your mortgage or put money into super.
Perhaps you’re just starting up and that vision seems a little too far off to inspire you (as it did for me for the first few years). Perhaps turning over $100,000 in 12 months might seem more realistic. How will it feel like when you achieve that? Your books are filled with quality clients who value you and pay you what you’re worth, you’re supporting your family and taking holidays every year.
A fun way to help you create a big vision is using a Vision Board. A Vision Board is a tool to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on specific life and business goals that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life. Involve your family to make it even more powerful. In The E-Myth Bookkeeper, Michael E Gerber says that “Every business is a family business”. They are on this journey with you and the more engaged they are with your WHY, the more they will understand and support you.
I’ve had a Vision Board on my wall since I was a teenager. As you can imagine, it’s changed a great deal over the years as my vision changed and goals were achieved. There are now digital versions if you prefer -Vision Board.me , PicMonkey or Pinterest. What’s on your Vision Board?
Love to hear your thoughts.