Remember those carnival barkers who hollered, \u201cPick a number, any number,\u201d? Could they have been suggesting a tool you can use to build your business?<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to be a math whiz to put numbers to work for you. Assigning a number to a project can help you focus and \u00a0give you a finish line.<\/p>\n
Open-ended goals have a way of never reaching completion, but attach a numerical addition and getting started is much easier.<\/p>\n
Here are a few ways to put numbers to work.<\/p>\n
\u00b0 Pick a number under ten and use it as a goal setting guide<\/strong>. For me, it\u2019s the number five. You might prefer three or six.<\/p>\n Then instead of thinking, \u201cI need to get more clients,\u201d set a short term goal to get three (or whatever your favorite number is) new clients.<\/p>\n Of course, you can repeat this exercise as often as you like, but your chances for success increase enormously when you work with a smaller number.<\/p>\n Years ago, when I was floundering around trying to get my speaking\u00a0 business launched,\u00a0 I met a successful, but unhurried, seminar leader who told me her business plan was, \u201cDo one, book one.\u201d<\/p>\n As soon as she finished a program, she\u2019d spend time marketing her services until she\u2019d booked just one more.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a policy I have used ever since with great success.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Stumped about your next steps?<\/strong> Challenge yourself (and your subconscious mind) by asking a idea-generating question such as, \u201cWhat are three ways I can grow my business right now?\u201d Or \u201cWho are four people I could collaborate with?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00b0 Write a tip sheet.<\/strong>\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget how useful numbers are in writing tip sheets which can be turned into articles. Six Ways to Get More Exercise<\/em> is an easier article to write than one called How to Get More Exercise<\/em>.<\/p>\n Using numbers also is a reminder that when you write a tip sheet the intention isn\u2019t to tell everything you know.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Numbers work equally well for subtracting things from your life that you no longer want.<\/strong> Instead of trying to unclutter your life all at once, for example, get rid of nine things a day until the job is done. It\u2019s far less overwhelming if you break it down into bite sized chunks.<\/p>\n Go through the junk drawer and throw away nine things or toss out nine magazines or find nine things in your closet you never wear and put them in a bag for the thrift store.<\/p>\n Assigning a number to necessary, but not necessarily pleasant, tasks can break through procrastination and get positive momentum going.<\/p>\n \u00b0 Pick a number, any number, and then pick one of the projects listed below.<\/strong><\/p>\n *\u00a0 Ways to get into the conversation<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Books to add to my library<\/p>\n *\u00a0 New profit centers to design<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Things to study<\/p>\n *\u00a0 New adventures to schedule<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Self-bossers to invite to\u00a0 breakfast<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Fresh marketing tools to create<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Media interviews to book<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Nonessentials to eliminate<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Ways to support other entrepreneurs<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Articles to publish<\/p>\n \u00a0Or add your own projects to the list\u2014and then get busy making them happen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remember those carnival barkers who hollered, \u201cPick a number, any number,\u201d? Could they have been suggesting a tool you can use to build your business? You don\u2019t have to be a math whiz to put numbers to work for you. Assigning a number to a project can help you focus and \u00a0give you a finish…<\/p>\n