What Game Are You Playing? Strategize Your Dream Business

Building a business can often feel like pushing a boulder uphill, and many times we find ourselves stuck in the grind, losing sight of our broader goals. But what if I told you that taking time to consciously sculpt your vision could be the most pivotal step to achieving both business success and personal fulfillment? Today, I’m diving deep into a theme I hold dear—crafting your vivid vision and the game you are playing.

What Game Are You Playing?

One of the most important questions every founder should ask themselves is, "What game am I playing?" This isn't just about defining your revenue goals but understanding the type of life and business you aim to build. As female founders especially, we often find ourselves caught between the allure of scaling our businesses to massive heights and creating a business that fits comfortably into our desired lifestyle.

Vision is More than Just Revenue

When we speak about the elusive goal of reaching seven figures, it's easy to think of it as a hallmark of legitimacy. However, it's critical to realize that success is multifaceted. Defining success purely by revenue can lead to an existence where the margins are thin and the stress high. On the other hand, a lean six-figure business can lead to a more comfortable and fulfilling life if designed intentionally.

Crafting the Perfect Day

One valuable exercise I recommend is mapping out your perfect day. Take a moment to sit down with a journal and describe, in vivid detail, what an ideal day looks like for you. From the moment you wake up to when you lay your head down at night, document every activity. Are you leading team meetings? Creating content? Networking at conferences?

Doing this exercise every few months can provide clarity on what truly makes you happy and how close or far you are from your vision. By continually tuning into this “painted picture,” you'll be better equipped to make decisions aligning with your ultimate goals.

Financial Planning

Understanding the financials is a crucial step many overlook. What is the revenue needed for the lifestyle you desire? How much do you wish to pay yourself each month? I often reference Mike Michalowicz’s *Profit First*, which suggests aiming for a take-home pay that's around 50% of your revenue if you have a small team. Crunch those numbers and see what your business needs to produce to make your dream a reality.

Aligning Your Marketing Strategy

Reflecting on the game you're playing helps refine your marketing strategies and team structure. Most small businesses have a substantial portion of their workforce in the marketing department. The marketing team is the machine driving lead generation, brand visibility, and eventually sales. Understanding your game lets you set specific targets for these activities. How many leads do you need? What kinds of marketing activities are essential to achieve your revenue goals?

Slow Times are Strategic Times

Interestingly, slower periods, such as summer, are ideal for strategic planning. Downtime can become a valuable reflection period where you map out your vision and course-correct. For instance, during a less busy stretch, take time to reconnect with your vivid vision. Imagine how you want your life and business to evolve over one, three, or even five years.

Avoiding the Opportunity Trap

As entrepreneurs, we often have an instinct to seize every opportunity. However, not every prospect aligns with our overall vision. Recently, a client of mine considered a partnership that seemed beneficial but wasn't aligned with her long-term goals. By pulling back and reevaluating the bigger picture, we decided it was not the right time for such a venture. This is where having an external perspective can be invaluable.

Your Vision as a Compass

Ultimately, having a clear, engaging, and inspiring vision acts as a compass, guiding all aspects of your business. Whether it’s making critical decisions or executing your day-to-day tasks, this vision ensures you’re moving toward your ultimate goals.

Use this summer—or whenever you have downtime—as a strategic period to define and refine your vivid vision. Journal, dream, plan, and calculate. Doing this will place you firmly on the path to achieving the success you truly desire.

Rushing through the motions without a clear vision means we risk reaching destinations we never intended to arrive at. Take time to reflect on what you want, define your vivid vision, and strategize accordingly. I firmly believe that with clear intent and conscious planning, you can achieve any dream you set your mind to.

Happy strategizing, and remember: when you know exactly what you want, every step you take is a step in the right direction.

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