We all tell stories about ourselves. These stories connect us to our past and define our visions of the future. But stories can hold us back from reaching our potential if they aren't true. Are you real and raw with yourself about where you and your company are right now? When you face down your fears and strip away the excuses, you are left with clarity, and that clarity is the power to grow.
When we talk about honesty, we aren’t talking about beating yourself up. Rather, we want you to step into ownership and empowerment. Where you are today doesn’t define where you will be tomorrow. But if you don’t know where you are today, how can you ever map a path to your future goals?
Here are seven ways that being radically honest with yourself and your company will enable you to break through barriers and progress toward your goals.
1. Clarity is Power
To make informed decisions about the direction your company should go and the next steps you need to take, you have to be absolutely clear about where you are right now. You can’t sugarcoat the truth and make things seem better than they are, but taking an overly pessimistic view of your company doesn’t help either.
Clarity is power because it gives you accurate information. When you are honest with yourself, you can identify what is working and what is not. That kind of clarity is the foundation for meaningful change.
2. Pain as a motivator
Sometimes, being absolutely honest with yourself is painful. It is hard to see where you fall short and to be so clearly aware of the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Yes, that kind of awareness is uncomfortable, but it is also motivating.
"Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change." —Tony Robbins
Pain is a powerful catalyst for change. Lean into the discomfort and let it propel you toward your goals.
3. The foundation of a business MAP
A MAP is a massive action plan, a flexible guide to get you from where you are to where you want to be. It goes further than a business plan because it gets at the heart of your business, what you want to achieve and why your goals matter. It charts a course toward massive success, and it leaves room for pivots as things change along the way.
You know how the map in every mall or national park has one of those “you are here” markers? Have you ever tried to use a map where the “you are here” marker has been worn off? It is pretty much impossible. You can’t chart a course to where you want to go without knowing where you are.
The same is true for your business. You might have the best intentions, clear goals and a compelling vision. But if you aren’t honest with yourself about where you currently are, it doesn’t matter how great your map is or how ambitious your goals are; you won’t end up where you want to be.
