What is the best PACE for your business right now?

I was talking to a friend the other day about a spontaneous conversation he had had with a friend recovering from an operation who was struggling to walk. As they made slow progress to their destination, they distracted themselves by discussing the variety of words to describe different types of walking. It occurred to me that this is a great way of examining the PACE at which we are actively working on our business, depending on the circumstances, and how we might identify when we are not moving at the right PACE to achieve our goals.

How are you working? - be honest!

DAWDLE, AMBLE, SHUFFLE
If you feel this is the PACE at which you are working on growing your business, you may want to challenge yourself and pick your feet up a bit! None of these suggest direction, motivation or most importantly, ACTION! At this rate it will be the end of the decade before you get there, by which time you will have lost momentum.

RAMBLE, SCUTTLE, LURCH
If you identify with any of these descriptions, you are probably trying out lots of different ideas, but not necessarily focusing on exactly where you want to end up. Bernadette Doyle calls this 'spray and pray' marketing - a little bit of everything and hope for the best!

TRUDGE, TRAIPSE, TODDLE
This suggests that you lack enthusiasm for all the effort you are making, and certainly lacks energy and confidence. If this is the category you have put yourself in, I suggest you come up with some new ideas, get some advice, or choose another vocation.

STROLL, STRIDE, JOG
Now we're getting somewhere! You may not have quite the velocity you need, but at least you know where you're going!

MARCH, SPRINT, GALLOP
Here we go! Now you know exactly where you're heading, you're building up speed, and you're heading for your target! This suggests you have definite direction and the confidence and enthusiasm you need to get there.

STRUT, SWAGGER, PARADE
So, you've arrived! You've focused on your goal, worked hard and smart, and can now relax for a while and enjoy your much deserved success! You can slow down to a SAUNTER whilst you contemplate your achievements and plan the next project.

So what PACE are you working at, and if you recognise that you're not moving effectively, what can you do to address that?

Getting Motivated

You'd have to be superhuman to feel motivated every moment of every day, and if you're running your own business or life has just dealt you a challenge, maintaining a high level of motivation is a challenge in itself. I find there are two ways to get an injection of motivation - listening to someone whose energy is high and has great ideas, and motivating others myself.

Recently, I dialed in to a teleseminar by Bernadette Doyle, marketing guru and coach. Bernadette is very inspirational, even though you know she is selling a product whilst passing on tips and advice. At the end of the call, I felt really fired up with ideas and motivated to raise the bar in my own business.

However, I get an even greater boost of motivation when I'm presenting to an audience or working one to one with clients. Last week, I facilitated and presented a "Whatever Next...?" style workshop at the Gerrards Cross Springboard, an invaluable facility for people who have been made redundant, run by dedicated volunteers every Monday evening. After a frustrating day working at my desk, I got a huge boost from standing up and motivating an audience, and receiving the positive feedback at the end of the evening. I get the same burst of energy when I've been working one to one with a client, who has arrived uncertain and directionless, and leaves buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm. I feel as much gratitude to them as they do to me. What a great job!

So, if you're struggling with your motivation, go and find someone who you know will re-energise you and vice versa, whether it's a friend or a motivational video on-line. Or give me a call and book a coaching session, and I promise to get you back on track and buzzing!