Planning your move from NOW to NEXT

It may feel like the 32nd of December, but we're only halfway through 2020.

Like me, you are probably jaded. Like me, you should do a better job of taking time out for self-care (it's critical to our ability to stay the course). Then, like me, you need to work out how to win in the new business reality we have all had thrust upon us.

Then, Now, Next

We are in stage three of this thing. I like using the, 'Then', 'Now', 'Next' framework to help make sense of things. It goes like this;

Stage 1. Then

This was life before COVID. It feels like a hundred years ago, but was, in fact just over 180 days. Few of us at the beach in Australia or nursing New Year's Day hangovers in the Northern hemisphere had any idea of what was about to descend on us.

Business was as it had been for a decade. Lots of talk about disruption and digital transformation. Definitely a sense of the good times on the wane. But nothing close to what has happened.

Stage 2. Now

Where most of us find ourselves now in personal and business terms is as a direct consequence of COVID. We have reacted to the unparalleled external 'change event'.

Instructed by Government, forced by law and following our instincts and best guesses, we have primarily done a great job of transitioning to Work From Home, or some hybrid version of it.

It has been an heroic time. Extraordinary logistical and cultural barriers have been blown away by necessity, who proves again, that she IS the mother of invention. Most leaders I know have never worked harder to get shit done against sadistic timelines.

And yet, 'Now', is, in many ways the easy bit. 'All' we have had to do is to react, logically, calmly and swiftly to a clear and present danger. Deadly for sure, but (with the worst case sensibly assumed), more-or-less known.

Stage 3. Next

So where to from here? What does your NEXT look like? This is where we go from things being very hard at a practical level to also being very hard at a strategic level.

The 'Now' we are currently experiencing can only be a temporary phase – even if temporary is 12-18 months. Governments can not subsidise industries and people to be unproductive forever. It is likely we will need to find ways to work and live with the virus. That means we will need to find ways to do business in a post-COVID marketplace that is very different from the THEN state that most of us can only look back on with fondness.

We can't wait

It's tempting to stay in the NOW. We've learned to cope and survive. It's comforting to think there will be a vaccine and that we will be in some way protected from the worst.

But it is a mistake.

We have to be intentional about actively creating new opportunities.

We have to project confidence and optimism.

We have to run with the energy we probably do not feel.

We have to lead in a way that others will follow (even when we are afraid).

Above all, we need to Commit.

Commit to imagining, building, resourcing and leading the realisation of our NEXT.

The quote by the mountaineer, William Murray says it all.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

9 Questions that may help you create your NEXT (free Masterclass)

On Friday 31 July at 11 a.m. AEST, I'll be hosting a free Masterclass. Over 60 minutes I will take you through the 9 powerful questions I recently workshopped with my Business Mastermind Groups, with great results.

I'd love you to come prepared, so here are the questions. They cover everything from vision and strategy to people and your own 'stuff'.

1. What do you need to STOP doing that is no longer profitable, useful or relevant?

2. What do you need to START doing (new services/products? Marketing makeover?)

3. Do you have a clear VISION for what you want the business to achieve in the next 6 months?

4. Do you have a PLAN to make that Vision a reality?

5. What people decisions do you need to make (new hires, fires, tough conversations)?

6. What financial decisions do you need to make? (investments, increase loan facilities, reduce overheads, liabilities, move accountants etc.)

7. What are you avoiding and why?

8. Is there any self-work you need to do (sleep, exercise, meditation, reflection, downtime????)

9. What do you need help with (hold you to account, help with tough decisions, referrals?)

I hope these help you get your head and heart in the game. You can sign up below

Book your place here.

#BUSINESSGROWTH #success #planning #leadership