Forget the Cookie Basket. Here’s What Entrepreneurs Really Want for Christmas
As a business coach for over 25 years, I have noticed that our client base grows exponentially during the holiday season- and for good reason. More and more business owners seek out the help of business coaches during the winter months as they reflect and recap on the past years successes and failures. It is during this reflection period that they begin to see areas that they want to see improvement in within their personal and business lives.
So in honor of the holidays, I want to share with you the top five things that our business coaching clients have on their holiday wish list.
1. The Gift Of Time
You are busy. You have a thousand things on your to-do list and the idea of stepping away to spend time with your family during the holidays is frightening. On the one hand you would love to spend your time trimming the tree and baking cookies with your kids. But on the other, you know that your business can’t run without you.
Wish List: A Time Machine
Reality: The real gift of time doesn’t come with a flux capacitor. It comes with the knowledge that many of the things that you are “busy” doing are just not that valuable. If you have the courage to say to other people’s urgencies, and to the seductive call of your inbox, you could accomplish so much more.
2. The Gift of Growth
As you reflect on the past year, it can be easy to get caught up in sales numbers and profit and loss statements and wonder if you are making any forward progress in your business. You may feel like asking Santa for the gift of a large new client ready to buy your inventory up before years end.
Wish List: A Whale
Reality: While a new client is always a great feeling, it does little to help a business owner feel their progress and growth. The real gift comes from the understanding that most business owners tend to be perfectionists. We are really hard on ourselves and internalize mistakes and failures. So, take the time to freeze your victories in the upcoming year and focus on the feeling of growth and forward momentum.
3. The Gift of Accountability
Did you do all the things that you wanted to do this year? If you are like many business owners, you may have fallen short on your yearly goals and wish that there was a way that you could help stay on track.
Wish List: A Super Cool Computer Program That Keeps You On Task
Reality: There is no magic tech solution that will keep you on task throughout the year. The real gift is learning how to create action plans that are easy to follow and broken down into manageable pieces. Once you master this skill you should have a much easier time reaching your business goals.
4. The Gift of Freedom
Most business owners begin working for themselves for the gift of freedom. They want to be there for their kids soccer games, make their own schedule and control their own destiny. Unfortunately, many get trapped in an owner-reliant business where the success (or failure) of their business rests on their shoulders.
Wish List: A Business That Can Run Itself Without Your Day-to-Day Input
Reality: This one can be a reality! Once you get the first three gifts, you can then focus on creating systems and controls that will allow you to step away from your business for weeks or even months at a time.
It won’t be a gift that will be under your tree however, but it will over time get easier and easier to step away from your business and regain your freedom.
Happy holidays!
