After a three week staycation, we got back to back to business as usual in January, back to the trenches, and back to being crazy busy with new projects … But we’re never too busy to keep learning!
If you want to be a leader, you must continually improve your skills and take your future into your own hands with action.
Above is a photo I snapped of the kids on the Sutter’s Fort cannon crew! Natalie is in fourth grade this year and since she is learning all about California history and the California Indians, I took the kids to the California State Indian Museum — and lucky for us it was also a special historical re-enactment day at Sutter’s Fort. The kids loved it, they learned new things (like what a thunder mug is), laughed a lot, and Natalie brought back some great information and souveniers to share in class.
The schools no longer have the budget to take students on fields trips like they did when I was a kid, so now it’s up to the parents to provide the hands-on learning experiences that come only with experiencing history first hand. We have to be proactive and take education into our own hands and take action.
Surprise! Business works the same way — You must be proactive!
January 24-26, I was in Los Angeles to co-lead a weekend retreat for Today’s Innovative Woman with entrepreneurs and friends Joy Chudacoff and Cathy Alessandra. I was so excited to be surrounded by 20 women who are choosing to be proactive about growing their businesses in 2013, choosing to create a plan of action, and choosing to go big — and the weekend didn’t disappoint!
By taking action and registering for the retreat, these awesome women committed to improving their skills, focusing their mindset, and accelerating their success. From the kick off cocktail party to the final goodbyes, these women blew me away. The passion they shared for their businesses, their drive to keep getting better and to keep learning, and their commitment to doing whatever it takes was inspiring.
By being proactive and taking their learning and the future of their businesses into their own hands, I know they will reach their goals faster.
What are you going to take action on this year?
I challenge you to make THIS YEAR your best year in business EVER by taking massive action, improving your skills, and truly being the leader in your business.
Not quite sure where to get started? Here are a few ideas:
- Instead of being “in the dark” about how your website works, learn about it! Learn what it can do, what’s possible, and how it works. You may not be doing the actual work, but this will help you communicate with your team more effectively.
- Instead of saying that someday you’ll master social media and actually have a strategy, start now! You don’t have to create a giant strategy for every network at once. Just start with one network, make a plan, and stick to it.
- Don’t get stuck in the information gathering and research phase for too long — and don’t put off taking action to opinion shop until the cows come home. Reach out to an expert, get help, and take action.
- Don’t say, I can’t afford it. Don’t say, I wish I could, but it’s too expensive. Instead say, Yes! I’m committed to playing big. Then make a plan to earn the money needed to do it.
- Don’t keep ideas of what you want to do this year in your head. Get them out of your head and onto paper. Even if you’re not ready to create a plan to achieve the goals, write them down and put them somewhere that you will see them often. Remember, what you focus on will expand!
So … just as I made the proactive decision to visit historical sites and further my kids’ education, I want you to be proactive in your business to improve your skills and accelerate your success!
About Jennifer Bourn
Infusioncon 2012: How to Create a Website That Works When You’re Not Working
How to Be Famous in Your Niche Market
Everything Women Need to Thrive In Business
Are You Forgetting About Vendor Service?
Soccer and Success. Yes, It’s Really That Simple
There are designers that can make it pretty, coders that can make it work, and marketers that can make it sell — at 
Bourn Creative is a 
I agree that stepping out is one of the critical actions as a business owner. Confidence shows (or not) in every arena.
Amen Sue! You MUST take action and get out there … and the bigger and more often you do it, the better.
Great advice, Jennifer. You have to be a proactive “self-starter” to be successful in business. If you’re really committed to your business you will find always find ways to do what it takes to get things done and make things happen.
Exactly Tiffany! If you just sit around and wait for business to come find you, you’ll never help anyone and you’ll never make any money! YOU have to go out and grab that gold ring!
The words “I wish” are like nails on a blackboard to me. All you need is to get started and take the first good step. When I hear this from clients it is a sign to me that there is fear, lack of confidence, or lack of strategy. You need to address what you can, but most importantly, you need to take action, large or small.
Right there with you! I stopped going to a local networking event once because everyone in the room kept saying “I wish…” and taking no action. A year later I went back to try it again, and it was the same people, wishing for the same success, and still not taking action.
Business isn’t magic. YOU have to do the work.
My clients are often stuck in the dark and afraid to take action. I have to encourage them to start with one thing, like you suggest, and invest some time and effort into it. Then results can follow. If they never launch out from the shore, they certainly won’t go anywhere! Committing in writing is so powerful! It is shocking to me how many people come in to my office for a consultation and don’t write anything down! The power of the pen….
Amy – I agree! It shocks me how many people don’t take notes and don’t write things down … then they wonder why things don’t work out!
I am committed to playing big this year Jen! As you know, I signed up for a program that is completely pushing me out of my comfort zone, but I am loving it! I am taking my business and myself to the next level this year!
Kristi – This is going to be a BIG year for you … I just know it! Congratulations on taking big action!
Wow, Jennifer your post really just lit a fire under me. I needed this. The biggest challenge for me (and most likely other woman entrepreneurs) is overwhelm. You’ve just narrowed it down to five actionable steps – and I thank you for it. Great post :)
Miriam – Wonderful! Overwhelm can be a sticky place to get stuck in, but even a little bit of action to move you forward will make a big difference.
I was just reflecting, too, how field trips are not what they used to be when we were kids. There’s a lack of funds, but I think the fear of safety also comes into play. It’s a different world, for sure.
I LOVE how you mention to stop putting things off until the cows come home, but rather take action. I’m committed to playing a very BIG game, and have been stuck with my marketing message (ensuring it’s clear and marketable), but I’m just moving forward to offering my workshops and get clients, rather than wait until the right words come out of my mouth. Ha! Such words of wisdom.
Lisa – It’s such a bummer that field trips have pretty much been cancelled completely due to budget cuts. I still remember vividly my fourth grade year and learning about California History first-hand. We visited Coloma and Sutter’s Mill, Sutter’s Fort, Empire Gold Mine, Museums, Old Sacramento, and more.
Even though the schools may no longer provide those experiences, I’m having fun revisiting those memories and relearning the history with my kids!
Awesomely motivating post, Jennifer! Committing to playing big and putting my goals all on paper, all the time. Thanks so much for the reminders and the push!
Awesome Pamela!
Dreams and goals are nothing without the action to back them up. We can put the energy out into the Universe, and the Universe will give us the opportunities, but we have to recognize the signs and DO something to keep it moving forward.
Excellent post!
Deb – Exactly! Unless we take purposeful action, opportunities will just pass us by, and dreams will stay dreams.
Taking even partially successful action is better than waiting “To get it all right.”
That was a great list and would be a wonderful reminder printed out over a new business owner’s desk. Excellent points!
Thanks Wendi! And yes, imperfect action is better than no action at all! You can always course correct later!
So true. We can have all the knowledge in the world but if we don’t take action, nothing happens. Time to step out and be the leader I need to be to take my business to the next level. Thank you for this inspiring post. xo
Thank you Mia! I can just feel it. This year is going to be powerful for so many! Best of Luck to you :)
Love these actionable steps, Jennifer. It truly is the ACTION that separates successful entrepreneurs from those individuals who have a lot of good ideas:)
Amen Kerry! Information without action … well, it isn’t good for much!
Jen! Thanks for highlighting that being proactice is a CHOICE. Too many business owners are making excuses and blaming others, instead of honestly admitting that they are sitting back waiting for someone to hand them success. I love your non-nonsense advice. You rock, girl! :)