I can’t think of a significant transformation in my life that didn’t begin with a good question. What do I want to create? What makes me happy? What do I really love to do? Sometimes the question triggers an almost immediate epiphany and sometimes it burns slowly.  A slow burn is the kind of niggling question that just sits with you, popping into your head at the most inopportune moments, demanding your attention. Last week I provided an overview of the path to Absolute Engagement and the five decisions that can impact the future of your business (and your life). Those decisions are, by another name, big questions. They’re questions that we all need to ask of ourselves if we want to stop reacting and start getting intentional about the future f our businesses. If you haven’t read last week’s post, you may want to start there and then we can dig in on what it means for you. Today is about extending the ‘theory’ to your business, about making it real for you. I’ll focus on a set of (hopefully thought provoking) questions that are for your eyes only. I believe that the way you answer these questions may influence the future of your business, if you take the time to stop and consider the implications. The questions are below, however you can print off a workbook with the same questions and room for your own thoughts and responses.

Transformation Starts With a Question

By way of (very) brief summary, I’ve suggested that the path to Absolute Engagement starts with your personal vision. Everything else is built to bring that vision to life, including your client and team engagement strategies. Our research also highlights that those advisors who take this approach not only generate more revenue, but focus more time on exactly the right activities and report better health, higher energy and lower stress. This is a big deal. So we start with an assessment of where you are today and then go deeper to think about what’s possible. As a quick reminder, here are the five steps on the path to Absolute Engagement.

Have You Drifted Off Course?

Q1. As it relates to the five steps on the path to Absolute Engagement, to what extent would you agree or disagree with the following? Rate yourself from 1 (I completely disagree) to 5 (I completely agree).

• I have a deep understanding of the clients, work and role that energize and inspire me.
• I have formalized a definition of my target client, my offer and my role to align with the things that energize and inspire me.
• I have designed a client experience that is specifically tailored to reflect the needs of my ideal target client and to engage my clients.
• I have designed a team experience that is specifically tailored to support my client experience and to engage my team.
• I have the infrastructure and process in place to allow me to focus on the activities that will drive the business forward.
• I have a structure in place to provide me with the motivation and support I need to reach my most significant goals.
• I have set intentional goals to refresh and renew in order to create the capacity I need in my life to allow me to pursue my biggest goals.

Q2. Based on your ratings what, if anything, do you think needs to change?

What Do You Love To Do?

Q3. As it relates to your clients, with which 10 clients do you most enjoy working and what is common among those individuals?

Q4. As it relates to your offer, when was the last time you were completely energized by the work you were doing? What characterized that work?

Q5. As it relates to your role, what are the things that you, and you alone, should be doing to propel the business forward?

What Will You Change?

Q6. Based on your responses above, how would you describe the changes you want to see in your business? Which of the following is your priority?

• I want to focus my business on the kind of work I truly love to do.
• I want to focus my time on a more defined set of tasks or responsibilities.
• I want to focus my business on a defined target group.

Why is Making That Change Important?

Q6. What would the impact of making that change be on you, your business, your clients and your team? Be as specific as possible. What will happen to your business? How would it feel to come to work? What impact do you think it would have on your personal life if you felt more energized by the work you were doing?

What’s Next?

The questions are designed to help you take stock of where you are today, consider what is most important to you in your business and then prioritize where you’ll focus. However, without the final question, your responses are unlikely to trigger significant change. The final question gets to your ‘why’, the real, personal, impact of making change. I’d suggest that without a crystal clear vision of what your business or life will be like as a result of any change, motivation may be elusive. I know that’s the case in my life. Once you’ve completed this exercise, book an appointment with yourself in a week. Give yourself time to consider what you thought about and then come back to that why. You may want to add some more detail. (Know that the more graphic the description, the more real it will become.) Then, schedule one next step. If your why is strong, you’ll take action. So if the potential for transformation is attractive, start thoughtfully and quietly with a little self-reflection. These questions are your first step.

‍

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

P.S. I’m thrilled with the initial response to the new book, The Pursuit of Absolute Engagement: Intentionally Design a Business that Supports the Life You (Really) Want to Live. You can order now or download the Introduction for a sneak peek at www.absoluteengagement.com/book