032 Creating Vision for a Strategic Business Plan

Business

Creating Vision for Strategic Business Plan

September begins the fourth quarter of the year, and I want us to go into the new year with a clear vision goal and plan. Vision and Mission are the topic on the show this month we’re talking all things side hustle and starting at the beginning.

With us being at the beginning of football season, like I tell hubby in the 4th quarter plenty of games have been won and lost. The key is to stay focused on the goal no matter what it looks like and keep pushing for yardage.

This is the perfect time to start planning your new business, so you can hit the ground running in the New Year. Not just getting started that’s ok too every year we need to reboot so to speak and still have a fresh plan for the year just the same.

Get a piece of paper and pen, get in a quiet space (no tech) and just imagine what you would like the next year to look like.

That’s it it may seem simple but quieting our minds and just focusing only on the end results can be a challenge… especially if you have kids or husbands lol!

Stay there until you have the vision and write down only points to remember, with no limits.

We tend to have what I call a “Dream Ceiling” it’s possible for someone like Oprah… remember she wasn’t always “O”, so why not for us?

QuoteSpiration

[Tweet “”Anything a man imagines in his mind to do he can do it” -Napoleon Hill”]

Vision is from God, limits come from us

Visioning what we want to see in our business in the next year is complete. We move into creating a tangible vision board that we can narrow down our focused goals to accomplish.
Preferably using actual paper and supplies to do this… but if not, you can use Pinterest. Try and stay focused on the task at hand as Pinterest can lead down the rabbit trail of lost goals.

While creating your vision board ,think about ways to diversify our income by things you are already doing and include these ideas.

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/joboptional/Vision.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” social_pinterest=”true” ]

Key Takeaways from the Podcast

You can win or lose in the 4th quarter
Quite your mind and let he vision come
Stay focused

Links

026 Dreaming is Key to Business Success

Business

Dreaming is vital for Business Success

It all starts with a Dream or Business Vision if you will. Even the Bible says the people perish for lack of vision. The point is that you cannot walk into what you cannot see.

Begin with the Dream, that thing that keeps you up at night that you daydream about when you have any idle moment.

Start there, create the blueprint and flesh it out. This is where you are going to to draw your motivation from to move forward when times get tough.

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/joboptional/026_dream_big.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ]

The Blessing and Curse of having Business Vision

Most Entrepreneurs have great visions for what they want their business to look like and opportunities for expansion. The blessing is being able to see the opportunities available and the curse is being distracted by those opportunities.

You can’t chase two rabbits, going after several business options at the same time is just going to end in a mess. We must stay focused on one thing at a time and crush that before entertaining another.

The ‘shiny ball syndrome’ that is so common in Entrepreneurship makes you lose focus on the goal and then the business vision gets murky.

QuoteSpiration

[Tweet “Discipline becomes dormant in the absence of a dream ~Rory Vaden”]

Hope deferred makes the heart sick but when the desire comes it is the tree of life Proverbs 13. This verse is so key because as you get off track and distracted your true desire getting pushed away you become discouraged when you’re not making progress in your business.

Having a clear vision and plan will help keep you focused on a single goal and lift you in times of hardship.

As I talk about on this episode of the Podcast, dealing with a lingering sickness and not having the energy to work on my passion, but having that clear vision and goal kept me faithful to keep going after missing several weeks.

Mentions

Gary Vee

Key Takeaways

Don’t get distracted
Follow one course until success (focus)
Slow and steady wins the race

Use the Power of your paycheck to support your Business

Perspective matters in Business

When you look at your day job paycheck as your first investor in your dream business you will begin to get a new perspective on it.

Yes, the 9 to 5 grind takes much of your precious time and focus that could be better served in getting the Side Hustle off the ground. Like everything in life you have to take the pros with the cons as it were.

Don’t begrudge your humble beginnings, starting small and having a backup plan gives you so much more leverage while growing into a full time Entrepreneur. A dedicated paycheck means you can be selective in what clients you choose to work with and not have to jump at every opportunity because you need funds.

Now while acknowledging our job is an investor for our business, we must be mindful to not just take the money and run. We honor the paycheck by doing what we are paid for by showing up and doing the work with integrity.

QuoteSpiration

[Tweet “Your day job is your first investor in your dream business”]

Burn the boats

Personally I’m not built to jump ship with no lifeline. I’m more productive having the “stable income” as I build my business on the side. Done it, hated it – so focused on income I never could build.
Some folks can and need to burn the boats to really see it through and they thrive in that sink or swim atmosphere.

Baby chicks or Eaglets need their wings to develop before they can fly and leaving the nest. Horses walk almost immediately and if they don’t there is a problem. Me and my tribe are chicks and that’s okay.

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/joboptional/023_Power_of_the_Paycheck.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ]

JenaeNicole.com

Key Takeaways

Everything is not for everybody!
Know your truth

We are all Marketers

Whether you’re trying to get a Man, land a dream Job or secure a client contract, it’s ALL Marketing!

In Today’s episode we talk about…

Being Authentic in our Marketing

Why the next new thing is not necessarily the best for you and your audience

Video Marketing is not for everybody specifically Livestreaming

Mentions

Michael Stelzner

Social Media Examiner

Social Media Marketing World Conference

Podcast Movement

JenaeNicole.com

QuoteSpiration

[Tweet “You can only fake the funk for so long, before the real you begins to seep out” ~Jenae ]

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/joboptional/We_are_all_Marketers.mp3″ artist=”Jenae Nicole” social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ]

Links

020: 6 Months and 10 Lessons learned in Podcasting

Podcast

My top 10 lessons learned from my first 6 months podcasting.

1. Save EVERY file before you say your first word

This is by far one of the most important tips I can give new Podcasters. When I tell you the heartbreak I experienced by losing one of my best episodes to date, simply because I failed to save the file first. Brings a tear to my eye just thinking of it.

2. Just start already

The moon and stars are never going to align just right for you to pull the trigger and just launch already. I can honestly say I only wish I would have stared sooner. Besides you might as well go ahead and resign yourself to the fact that at the very least your first 3 shows are going to be terrible.

You are a rare breed if you fly out the gates with pristine audio day one. I re-recorded my first show no less than 10 times and its still horrible to me. trust me on this one just do it and get over yourself.

3. Be your own truth, it’ll show

QuoteSpiration

[Tweet “You can only fake the funk for so long, before the real you begins to seep out” ~Jenae ]

4. Invest in your project

As i mentioned in episode 019 Being a cheap bastard is going to hold you back from your best potential. It is nearly impossible to start a proper Podcast with no money. It can be done but the question is will it be worth listening to? I tried to skimp as much as possible and it has cost me plenty in the long run, especially in TIME! If you are not willing to invest anything into your own passion what makes you think anyone should invest their time listening to you.

5. The real work begins after New and Noteworthy

There is so much hoopla about being top of New & Noteworthy (N&N) in iTunes for newbie Podcasters that we begin to focus so much on the rankings and less on growing our true fan base. Yes N&N is important but not as much as you’d think. One big thing though, when my time was up on the N&N charts man I dropped faster than a ton of bricks in downloads of the show. To combat this phenomenon I suggest getting into the habit early on of promoting the show twice as much time as it took to create it.

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/joboptional/6_Months_10_lessons.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ]

6. It’s not about you

I know this show is your Baby your lovechild if you will, but ultimately the listener is what it’s all about in the end. The impact your words have on their lives is the true end game. Whether you have a Podcast about Comedy, Politics, Religion, Business or all of the above the end user will meet out its value.

7. Be proud of your lil Podcast and tell everybody

Self explanatory, go shout it from the mountains and everywhere. lol, no really Go. Promote, promote, promote.

8. Notice others shine.

9. Implement fast

This goes hand in hand with just starting, the quicker you implement the faster you can fail or yet succeed that much faster.

10. Don’t give up

Podcasting is going to get hard, really hard to stay the course. No REALLY HARD!

Mentions

Podcast Movement

JenaeNicole.com

Links

019: Don’t be a Cheapskate!

Business

Why being a cheap bast$@# is keeping you from progressing with your business and why getting and accepting help with your small business journey is crucial to being a successful Entrepreneur.

Doing the work and figuring out this whole Entrepreneurial journey is hard even more so when you are trying to do it all and on the free or cheap.

I’ll be the first to raise my hand. I am a self professed cheapskate, especially when it comes to myself and my business. I definetly got it honest (Trish Ann) aka momma! lol

Invest in your business and save your sanity

Looking back over the last year, there were many times that hiring out the work would have been the smart, and in the long run cheaper way to go. I wasted weeks trying to figure out minute details that could have probably been taken care of in minutes with an expert.

Lady, take the lesson from me and take your superwoman cape off and let somebody help you, that knows what they’re doing! Time is our greatest asset and we definitely don’t need to waste it on tasks above or below our skill set.

Make sure to take advantage of services like fiverr or elance to maximize your time and productivity. These are great alternatives for Boss Babes on a tight budget. Remember your existing network of friends, colleagues and family, sometimes the best answer to a question is right in front of us.

We don’t always have to pay for the help, make sure you are accepting help when its offered. Don’t be that chick that says “no, I got it” when you obviously don’t and folks are trying to help you with your business.

Mentions

Fiverr

JenaeNicole.com

QuoteSpiration

[Tweet “” A closed hand can’t receive anything.” ~Jenae Nicole”]

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/joboptional/Dont_be_Cheap.mp3″ artist=”Jenae Nicole” social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” ]

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/joboptional/005_Find_your_Niche.mp3″ artist=”Jenae Nicole” social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” social_pinterest=”true” ]

Find Your Niche

I had an awesome conversation with a coworker today about getting her idea about how she could impact the world with her passion.

As I was sharing my great news of actually launching this podcast and submitting to itunes, we got to talking about how to get started with her Side Hustle and getting the ideas focused on one thing at a time.

I totally related to her almost schizophrenic explanation of what she was passionate about. Like most of us I’m sure, have a million and one ideas and people we want to help.

Riches are in the Niches

We have all probably heard this or some version of it. Unless you are Walmart, it doesn’t profit us to try to be everything for everybody.

STEP ONE

Decide on one person you want to help. What are they struggling with that you know how to fix, cope , educate …

STEP TWO

How can you best help them?

>Train- teaching program,

> coach/ mentor- show and run the play

> inspire- give words of affirmation

>service- therapy ( physical, mental)

STEP THREE

What is the best way to communicate the help?

>Blogging

> Videos

> Podcast

>Service

Advice to my friend…

You work 40, 50 , 60 hours every week to see your Employer’s vision and mission succeed. Don’t you have 2 hours a week to devote to your own Entrepreneurial Legacy? Absolutely!

Take the next day off you have and make a date with yourself to focus solely on what you want to see this business look like.

Take the first step to seeing your dream of Business ownership.

I’m not telling you anything that I haven’t personally dealt with in my own Small Business, and still do sometimes. I promise you as you begin to move like we talked about in Just Start you will see amazing transformation and growth with your Side Hustle.

QuoteSpiration

[Tweet “”EVERYONE IS NOT YOUR CUSTOMER” ~ Seth Godin”]

Key Take aways

Don’t try to be everything for everybody
Devote at least 2 hours a week to your Business
Take the first step

Book of the Day

Business Resources

Pen and paper

Links

000: Introduction, Why Job Optional

Podcast

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/joboptional/000_JOP_Intro.mp3″ artist=”Job Optional” social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” social_pinterest=”true” ]

Introducing your Sista Girl Jenae Nicole and getting the reason why she created the Job Optional Podcast.

Sharing Internet Resources, such as apps, software and websites.

Be Inspired by stories from other Black Girls who are Rocking out their Business.

The Dreaded Imposter Syndrome

Business

There’s not a person alive that doesn’t struggle with the so-called “Imposter syndrome”. If someone says they don’t, run girl cause they are obviously a liar.

It makes you feel like you can’t be your authentic self, and if you do people will think you’re trying to be something you’re not anyway.

It’s human nature to doubt yourself. That’s why so many Stars have body image issues.

We regular folks do it too, probably even more; considering we are compared to some crazy standard of beauty, that’s nearly impossible for those who are supposed to be the standard.

Now translate this into business, and you really see the effects. I personally can definitely relate. I have to make myself take those steps in my

business that are super uncomfortable on a daily basis.

I feel like a clown... — I feel like a clown…

It’s crazy you have the knowledge, but feel like I’m not qualified, who am I to be doing this and why would anyone listen to me anyway.
I know honey, I’d rather stay behind my keyboard and post on social media before going to live events, It’s safe here.

Having set goals, keeps me accountable and pushing forward, because safe can’t grow me into Legacy.

Go on, get uncomfortable, you are more than capable. I know if I can do it, you definitely can!

When those creeping thoughts come to mind, remember, even the most influential person you can think of, is more than likely having the same

doubts you are. So you’re in good company, don’t let it keep you stuck.

That’s all I got for you today, holla at ya later,

Jenae Nicole