The ‘F Word.
Let’s do it. Let’s talk abut the ‘F’ word.
No – not that one.
No – not face masks, fanny packs or doing the floss.
I’m talking about FOCUS.
This magical discipline that reaps so much reward, growth and preserved energy.
Take an artist facing a blank canvas, a writer with an empty page, a designer with a clean Illustrator screen.
Huge potential. Endless opportunity. So much scope. Too much. Overwhelm. Confusion. Lack of clarity. Lack of progress.
Sound familiar? We can often do this when we’re creating and growing our brand and business. We can tantalised by the prospect of opportunity and possibility.
And sometimes we can lose sight of who we are serving, what we are bringing that’s new and challenging, what good we are delivering, if it truly aligns with our values, our current brand and is it helping us get to where we want to be?
Your purpose. Your vision. Your mission.
We lose our focus.
And it’s so important as we grow that we keep this in check, so that the decisions we make actually make sense to our audience and what we’re trying to achieve.
I was speaking with a potential client this week. She had set up in business 15 years ago and made a good little business for herself. Then an opportunity came along that she didn’t want to turn down, it didn’t quite fit with her offer, so she set up a second business to serve that. Then she started a training program and partnership that didn’t quite fit either, so now she doesn’t know what to do with that. And she’s a partner at another firm.
Chaos. Confusion. Shit-show.
The only solution is to take a deep breath, step back and start from the beginning. Look at all the strengths, skills and special powers she brings; look at who she serves and wants to serve and how to best serve them; to double down on what’s best for her and her client base, and compassionately let go of those that don’t fit with that.
So, how do we keep focused I hear your cry? Simple: Ask the write questions (discovery and research phase) Work hard for the right answers (definition and strategy phase) WRITE. IT. DOWN. Refer to it as a filter when making decisions about your brand.
Having a strategy to keep returning to that has been well thought through, challenged and insightfully created will be the gift that keeps on giving. The foundations to build on. The roots to grow from.
Focus allows you to grow with purpose and intention, with a common and clear understanding of why you’re doing it.
So the artist can paint, the writer and write, the designer can draw, with context and an end in mind.
If you’re struggling with an array of offerings that don’t quite knit together, get in touch, I love to unmuddle the big idea.
Contact me to start the conversation.
Lauren 🌱
