EPISODE #012
Do you know the numbers in your business?
Look at your initial response to that question. Now be honest with yourself.
Do you really know those numbers?
If you’re anything like me, you probably found a sense of clarity after that initial reaction — and challenging these initial reactions is a really powerful intellectual tool that all business owners should be taking advantage of every day.
Because there’s a good chance that you only have a general idea of what the numbers in your business are. And if you don’t know exactly where you are today, how could you possibly know what route to take to reach your goals for tomorrow, next week, and next year?
(Side note: this is a great practice to do in your personal life, too! Do you really know how much is being charged to your credit card every month?)
The truth is that most people don’t really want to know their numbers, in their business or personal life. Because confronting the truth forces you do one of two things: do nothing, even if you learn numbers aren’t as good as you thought, or make a change.
And that first choice obviously isn’t good, although it’s a much easier choice. All that leads to is an overwhelming feeling of mediocrity and lack of self-worth, although your worth isn’t actually tied directly to the success of your business. But, at the same time, change is hard!
So, here are some tactics you can use to reduce that mental barrier and start looking at your numbers with clarity:
- It’s important to remain emotionally neutral as you’re evaluating your numbers so that you can make plans and decisions based on reality, not to satisfy your ego or make yourself feel better. These numbers are offering real feedback. Accept it with clarity so that you can make the best decisions.
- As you practice asking questions and getting honest with yourself, it should help you get clarity and detach yourself emotionally.
- Everyone needs a “first break” number in their business — the most important key indicator that will let you know if your business is having a successful day. And that number should come from someone who isn’t you (if you can automate it, all the better), delivered to you on a daily basis.
- Using that same key indicator, help everyone in your organization contextualize how their role contributes to it and positive business growth.
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