How do you deal with shiny objects?
I was asked this question this past week while giving a talk at one of my portfolio companies.
It got me excited because I had a GREAT strategy to overcome it – more on that below.
But first, a story…
In 2009 when I started my company Flowtown, I was essentially running two businesses.
I had my angel investing and a new startup.
For a period of time, it was a little crazy…
… I was overcommitted and not following through on my promises.
I felt horrible.
But what I realized is that I was busy with a lot of tasks that weren’t moving the needle.
They didn’t drive progress, nor were they aligned with the bigger picture.
So that’s when I sat down and started re-structuring my day to align with a bigger outcome.
I did this for both my angel investing and for my startup…
… and it’s what led me to an extremely productive way of working that wasn’t based on time management – but outcome management.
If you know your destination, take the time to brainstorm your strategies, and ask yourself a powerful question “What resources do I have access to, to achieve this?”…
… then there’s only one thing left to do: Schedule It!
Show me your calendar, and I’ll show you your priorities. (click to tweet)
Once you have your outcomes figured out, then lock them in over the next 90 days.
Honour that decision and don’t get distracted by shiny objects – just add them to the list to be reviewed at the end of that period in context to all the other options you have.
It may take discipline but this is how the top entrepreneurs perform.
Now tell me, what are you going to schedule in your calendar?
What priority do you have that isn’t being blocked in?
Can’t wait to hear from you in the comments.
Have an incredible day!
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Dan Martell has advised more startups than his hometown has people and teaches startup founders like you how to scale. (Get the free 3 videos to grow your business here.) He previously created, raised venture funding for and successfully exited two tech startups: Flowtown and Clarity.fm. You should follow him on twitter@danmartell for tweets that are actually awesome.
Are you an entrepreneur? Get free weekly video training here:
http://www.danmartell.com/newsletter
+ Join me on FB: http://FB.com/DanMartell
+ Connect w/ me live: http://periscope.tv/danmartell
+ Tweet me: http://twitter.com/danmartell
+ Instagram awesomeness: http://instagram.com/danmartell
Are you proud of the work you do?
Are your customers demanding?
Is there enough revenue for you to do your best work?
When I first met Julie she was trying to stay afloat.
Her agency was doing $800K in revenue but she hated her job.
When I brought her team together, I could tell that everyone was super talented but there was no “energy” in their voices.
All I asked was “Are you able to do your best work?”…
… and everyone quickly said “No!”
So then I asked “What would it take for you to have the time & resources to do so?”
… and it was unanimous.
Better bigger clients.
That got me excited because I knew the changes to allow that were easy.
Most companies can’t attract – or worse REPEL – big clients looking to do interesting work because they have three fatal flaws in their marketing.
What I’m sharing this week is the exact same strategy I used to help Julie and her team blast through their plateau, become more profitable, and feel re-engaged by “lighthouse” projects they could be proud of.
The best part is…
Using this framework, and leveraging their talents, we engineered the turnaround in less than 2 months.
To ensure your marketing is on point… follow these guidelines:
1) Solve your bigger customers biggest fears
2) Price yourself OUT of a market for smaller clients
3) Communicate higher end work in your marketing
I know this can feel scary because your “limiting beliefs” and “self doubt” kicks in and says “What if I can’t find any clients?”
In your heart you know that you’re great and that any big customer would be lucky to have you help them.
Write that on your wall, stare at it daily as a reminder of your value.
Then go forward using these strategies!
If you’ve made the transition from small to bigger clients, leave a comment with your specific strategy and the backstory for making this happen.
Remember, it takes a village.
Your stories will inspire others.
Can’t wait to read.
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Dan Martell has advised more startups than his hometown has people and teaches startup founders like you how to scale. (Get the free 3 videos to grow your business here.) He previously created, raised venture funding for and successfully exited two tech startups: Flowtown and Clarity.fm. You should follow him on twitter@danmartell for tweets that are actually awesome.
Are you an entrepreneur? Get free weekly video training here:
http://www.danmartell.com/newsletter
+ Join me on FB: http://FB.com/DanMartell
+ Connect w/ me live: http://periscope.tv/danmartell
+ Tweet me: http://twitter.com/danmartell
+ Instagram awesomeness: http://instagram.com/danmartell
My barber blew my mind.
I’m sitting there and he’s cutting my hair and we’re talking about advice and mentorship…
… so I shared with him this silly Facebook group I started that eventually became one of the most valuable resources in my professional life.
That’s when he told me he was part of a similar group with barbers from other major cities…
… and they all connect online to share best practices, resources and stories to help each other out?!
Mr. Ryan Browne – my barber – has a virtual mastermind group?!!!
What?
That made me smile.
There’s nothing more powerful than surrounding yourself with people on a similar journey in life.
People who can support you… push you… and teach you how to show up in the world at a world class level.
The strategy is available to ANYONE.
Yes I’m looking at you.
In this week’s video I want to unlock the secrets to what’s made my private Facebook group so freaking powerful AND differentiated to ensure there’s high engagement.
To ensure you bring the thunder and create a lot of value for the members, I’ve outlined a framework and some guiding principles.
Do this right and you’ll have a loyal and engaged community eager to connect and bring value to each other’s lives.
1) Have a differentiated theme / focus (ex: SaaS Founders)
2) Curate based on shared values, outcome, and diversity of skills
3) Set standards for contribution (ex: – Ask: Journey, – Give: Value, – Praise: Highlight)
After sharing this strategy most entrepreneurs are stressed because they can’t think of great original content to add to the group…
… that’s why I share the #1 tip in this week’s video that I used to solve this problem in no time. It leverages the group and adds a CRAZY amount of value to everyone involved.
If you manage any groups, have tips or questions – be sure to leave a comment to add value to the DM.com community!
The most important thing in life are the connections you make with others.
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Dan Martell has advised more startups than his hometown has people and teaches startup founders like you how to scale. (Get the free 3 videos to grow your business here.) He previously created, raised venture funding for and successfully exited two tech startups: Flowtown and Clarity.fm. You should follow him on twitter@danmartell for tweets that are actually awesome.
Are you an entrepreneur? Get free weekly video training here:
http://www.danmartell.com/newsletter
+ Join me on FB: http://FB.com/DanMartell
+ Connect w/ me live: http://periscope.tv/danmartell
+ Tweet me: http://twitter.com/danmartell
+ Instagram awesomeness: http://instagram.com/danmartell