A big part of the work we do at Fesyk Marketing starts with helping our clients set and achieve big goals for themselves and their businesses. When we start with a big goal, the kind that motivates you to get out of bed every morning, we can create an action-oriented marketing plan for your business full of smaller, more measurable goals to help you move closer to achieving the big goal. But how do you set a big goal? How do you allow yourself to lean into your dream so that you can create a plan to help you get there?
It seems like it would be easy to paint a picture of what your dream business and dream life looks like. But for some reason, for most, it’s not. We often get in our own way. The reason this is called a “big hairy audacious goal” (BHAG) is because in this step you allow yourself to believe the big goal you want deep down is actually possible. So, here are three strategies you can use to motivate yourself and push through the obstacles you may have placed in front of yourself.
Ask yourself what do you actually want. And keep it simple.
Chances are, if you close your eyes and let yourself daydream about what your ideal life looks like, you would come up with something pretty great. It might include great health in old age and more time to spend with loved ones. Or maybe it’s a great work/life balance. There are no rules when it comes to setting this goal but make sure it’s a big one. The secret to creating a BHAG is setting aside time to do this. And then setting yourself free from all of the “shoulds” and “hows” to see what you actually do want.
Is it a lifestyle? Is it to sell your business and make millions? Is it to make a difference in the world? Is it a beach house in Mexico or Hawaii? Because this is step one of a marketing plan, you might be tempted to focus on business success or money. Take a moment to free yourself from that and allow yourself to think about your life as a whole. Your BHAG doesn’t need to begin with great detail for this exercise to be effective.
Remove the word “how” from this exercise.
Imagine that your opportunities are limitless—that everything is possible. If the word how starts to creep into your mind, stop it immediately. Get it out of your head. The how is not important when you’re setting a big hairy audacious goal. The how will come in time. It’s all part of the planning process.
Another question that might be helpful when you are at this stage is, “what would you do if you knew you could not fail?” This might be a helpful strategy for removing the fear from blocking your dreams, and another way to set yourself free from thinking about the “how” too early. We easily set aside what we want because the obstacles to achieving that are too daunting. Set aside the fear and the “how” and see where you dreams take you.
Make it easy on yourself.
How do you like to communicate? Do you prefer the written word, or are you more verbal? Maybe you’re more of a visual person, or a crafty person and a vision board will make it easier for you to create your BHAG. When it comes to digging deep and reflecting on what you want for yourself and your business, use the tactic that comes naturally to you.
For me, I am a verbal processor. I need to talk things through and so the easiest way for me to great BHAGS is to talk it through with others and then write it down.
I know you can do it! You have dreams and goals for your life, and by taking time to recognize them and define what they are to yourself you will reconnect with why you have a business in the first place. All the pieces might not be in place quite yet, but that’s okay—once again, this stage is not thinking about the “how.” This is the stage for dreaming big and conceptualizing where you want to go! Deep down, you have strong values that you want to see brought to life. Dare to bring these ideas to the surface and use them to prioritize what you’re doing in your marketing and your business.
Check out our post about creating an action-oriented marketing plan for yourself here. Or learn more about why your business needs a BHAG here.
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