As someone who reads a lot of business-related blogs, books and magazines, I know how important it is to be clear about your clients, services and goals. But it always sounds like a fulfilling process of enlightenment, which is the opposite of my recent experiences.
A few months ago, I was excited to spend five days at an industry convention where — in addition to learning a whole lot of interesting information — I was hoping to connect with my ideal clients. I’d spent a lot of money for airfare, entrance fees and hotel accommodation.
And then I realized these were not my ideal clients. Not even close. Essentially I had wasted thousands of dollars on a trip that was a failure.
Well, maybe not a total failure. What I gained was clarity. I learned who my client was. I learned who they weren’t. And I realized that I was heading in the wrong direction, business-wise. It was not the uplifting few days that I’d planned on!
Thankfully, I have friends who helped me view my experience in a new way. Rather than paying a consultant to help me define my customer, I figured it out myself. I had clarity.
Even though we seek clarity, there’s a part of the process we don’t talk about. Clarity sucks. At least it does initially. Nobody really wants to face the truth about their life … especially if it means owning up to a bad decision or being forced to make unpleasant changes
Thankfully clarity is eventually followed by perspective, and we ultimately realize that clarity is a gift. Of course, I would prefer to just do everything right the first time, but that doesn’t always work out.
Today, blog about a situation that gave you clarity in your business. If you like, explain how this experience ultimately moved you closer (or farther away) from your goals.
