According to the U.S. Travel Association, the average age of travelers is 47.5. The majority of all U.S. travelers are over the age of 44.
Are you just going to wait your whole life to start moving and shaking? Isn’t it time to take your business to the next level now? Or perhaps you’d like to work from home or even travel while your “business is working for you?”
I was truly impressed the first time I was introduced to the story of Nomadic Matt. A 20-something, he travels the world blogging about his adventures on how to inexpensively visit almost everywhere. He recently republished his first book, too. And best of all he was in Portland, so I couldn’t resist connecting with him at Powell’s Bookstore! I was first in line to get my book signed and giggled as he tried his best to spell my name correctly.
Of course it wasn’t a coincidence that I ran across another gentle reminder to gravitate back to the road myself. I discovered an article written about a graduate student asked to plot an optimal route across the continental U.S. that features the highlights of both natural and another option for urban travelers.
Between these two inspiring men, my marketing wheels started turning. What’s missing from your magic formula that keeps you from getting to the next level in your business and enjoying the freedom of a business that supports the life you really want to own?
Driving in the Fast Lane
Think about a vehicle cruising down that highway. It easily flies by you. What does it take to drive in the fast lane?
You have to know where you’re going.
Before you get anywhere with your business (or in life!) you have to know your preferred destination. Not just any place, but the place you really want to go. And that means where you’re heading is aligned with who you are at your best and most importantly – you most passionate interests.
Remember that you can always decide a detour would be the best route of travel. That’s ok! But you must have a generalized direction so that you have something to put into the GPS.
You have to discover the shortest distance to your destination.
That means you have to be strategic in every step so you save time, money, and your energy. Much like the college student who used an algorithm to plot out two compelling pathways for a journey of a lifetime. You’ll need to map out your own course complete with shortcuts along with moment of reflection for course corrections. Who knows what you’ll discover on the road to success!
You have to have confidence in your machinery.
As you get started on your business journey, it’s important to have the confidence that you have all the tools, equipment, and ability that you need to accomplish everything you’ve ever wanted.
This also means trusting the resources around you to provide what you need. Be honest and kind to yourself. Don’t try to pass a big rig doing 90 miles per hour in a 15 year-old Toyota Corolla!
You have to be a little brave and surefooted.
Accept that a little bit of fear is natural. If you don’t feel like you are about to step outside of your comfort zone, you probably aren’t playing big enough, and this could be what’s holding you back.
Be brave and step on the gas. Trust that the fast lane you’re driving in is the best possible direction for you to get there. Believe that the directions you’re using are just as excellent as any other path you could have chosen instead. Just go for it.
Enjoying the Ride
The aforementioned student faced a difficult obstacle: how could he possibly choose a route across the U.S. that would please everyone. To target city folks vs. country folks, he created two specific routes.
He also took another approach. He researched the shortest possible route across the U.S. In other words, his outlook was designed to allow people to choose their own path while still getting what they wanted to out of the experience.
These are my specific insights on your business:
- The path of least resistance, or shortest route, means asking for help from other experts and mentors who have already traveled your path.
- Don’t pour hours into creating elaborate programs before you know if they’ll be sellable or not; choose carefully how you spend your time.
- Target your ideal market with your brand, and give buyers options on how they can choose to work with you.
What’s Your Road Map?
I’ve given you a bit of insight into how I see the world of business. But what I haven’t told you is that if you want to grow your company from a vision to a reality, you need to have a specific, well-plotted road map.
To be truly successful, you have to market successfully, work hard, and never look back with regret. Instead, always look back with learning.
Get started by assessing what you want – where you want to go – and then begin sketching out a plan for how you think you might be able to get there.
Ask questions, do your research, and…ooh, this is toughy…expect a few delays. Naturally in business there will be bumps in the road, a few flat tires, rainy miserable days, and more than a few detours.
If you need help weathering the road trip, call on a mentor to guide you through it. After all, most of us need a GPS for driving and for life, don’t we?
