Are you building the business you *want* to build? Here’s 10 Qs to help you out

I've made *a lot* of mistakes in my business journey—and one of these was lacking the clarity and focus for the vision I had for my business' future. I also built a previous business that I thought I was *supposed* to build but it was based on someone else's vision. In today's episode, I'm putting *you* in the hotseat with some questions to ask yourself to find this clarity and focus for *your* business.

– The 3 lessons I wish I'd learned earlier in my business and how you can learn from these mistakes.
– Why getting really clear and honest with yourself can help you to understand what's important and why.
– Why letting go of the “how” can drive you to dream bigger and deeper without limiting yourself or your business.
– How identifying the internal and external forces that are stopping you from having the kind of business you want can help you to understand what you can and can't control.
– Why being really clear and focused on your vision will help you to identify what you can start doing (and what you need to stop doing).

Building a business can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you're constantly bombarded with advice and ideas from all corners of the internet. It's easy to get distracted and end up with a never-ending to-do list without a clear direction. Today, I'm sharing 10 questions to help you clarify your vision and focus your efforts where they truly matter. This will help you move your business forward intentionally and effectively.

The Pitfalls of Following Someone Else's Vision

In the early stages of my business, I made the mistake of not getting clear on what I truly wanted. I found myself building a business that didn't align with my personal goals and values. For example, I initially thought I wanted a marketing agency because I admired the success and lifestyle of other agency owners. However, I soon realised that managing a large team wasn't for me. I enjoyed the marketing and strategy side of things, not the managerial aspects that come with scaling an agency.

Here are three lessons I wish I had learned earlier:

1. Follow Your Own Vision: The fastest way to create a business that doesn't feel good is to follow someone else's vision. You can design your business exactly the way you want it.
2. Prioritise Your Lifestyle: Choosing a lifestyle that balances work and personal life doesn't make you any less ambitious or successful.
3. Achieve Balance: It's possible to build a successful business and still have time for travel, hobbies, and family.

10 Questions to Clarify Your Business Vision

1. Why Do You Do What You Do?

What motivated you to start your business? What keeps you going on tough days? Be honest with yourself—there's no right answer. For me, it's a mix of impact and personal reasons like freedom and creative expression.

2. What Makes This Important to You?

If your “why” is freedom, why is that important? For me, the ability to creatively express my ideas makes my life exciting and diverse.

3. Why Does This Matter to You?

Go deeper into why your motivations are important. If freedom is important for travel, why is travel important? Maybe it's about experiencing new cultures or keeping life interesting.

4. What Would Your Dream Business Look Like in Five Years?

If anything was possible and you knew you couldn't fail, what would your business look like? Dream big without worrying about the “how” or whether it's realistic.

5. Why Do You Want This Kind of Business?

Reflect on why you want the business you've envisioned. I initially wanted an agency but realised it didn't align with my love for marketing and strategy. Instead, I scaled my business with digital products and courses, which allowed me to have a bigger impact while doing what I love.

6. What External Forces Are Stopping You?

Identify the external challenges you can't control, like limited hours in a day or social media algorithms. Focus on how you can react and respond to these constraints instead of trying to change them.

7. What Internal Forces Are Stopping You?

Identify internal obstacles you can control, like lack of confidence or procrastination. Confidence builds through action, not just thinking about it. Show up, do the work, and build that feedback loop of success.

8. What Does Your Dream Business Look Like in 12 Months?

Think about your business one year from now. What will you do, and what will you no longer do? Don't worry about the how just yet—focus on your vision.

9. What Uncomfortable Things Do You Need to Start Doing?

To achieve different results, you need to do things differently. Step into discomfort and start taking actions that feel challenging but necessary for growth.

10. What Do You Need to Stop Doing?

Identify activities that are not serving your goals. Maybe it's chasing every new idea or spending too much time on less impactful tasks. Focus on what's truly important to move your business forward.

By reflecting on these questions, you can gain clarity and direction, ensuring that you're building the business you truly want. Remember, it's your vision and your journey. Design it in a way that feels right for you.

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