Article: Clear Vision of Success
Success is not a given! People do not achieve any significant level of success by just doing what comes naturally. Sir Edmond Hillary, the first man to successfully climb to the top of Mt. Everest, when asked how he accomplished such a great feat did not say: “ Well, one day I went out for a walk and the next thing I knew, I was at the top of the mountain.” To succeed you must have a very clear vision of what you want to accomplish. Next, a logical plan for achieving that goal must be developed. And finally, you must actually do all of the things necessary in your plan so that you will arrive at your goal and succeed. According to U.S. government statistics for businesses, less than one in five businesses will survive for five years. Of those that do survive, only a few will actually succeed and make a true profit. From my observation of hundreds of carpet cleaning businesses, these statistics also apply to the carpet cleaning industry. Why do so few carpet cleaning businesses actually succeed and make a true profit? (Profit is the money that the owner gets to keep after all of the business expenses have been paid and the owner has received a fair salary for his services.) Carpet cleaning is a unique business opportunity requiring very little cash investment to get started, involves relatively little risk, no college degrees or formal education is required and yet a carpet cleaner can generate a revenue of $80 to $100 per hour or more for his services. With an unlimited amount of dirty carpet out there in need of cleaning, why aren’t more businesses succeeding? Just because I start a carpet cleaning business and am willing to work hard, I am not assured success. Two vital parts for success are still required: 1. You must have a perfectly clear vision of what your business will look like and when it will be achieved (your goal). 2. A plan for achieving that goal. It is amazing how few business owners have a clear vision of success for their business. In almost everything else we attempt to accomplish in life, a vision and a plan are used to achieve them. If I have an appointment to clean the carpets for Mrs. Jones, I must have a clear vision of the time she is expecting me and the exact address where she lives. I need a plan and a vehicle to get me and my equipment there on time. If I show up a week late, or go to the wrong house or forget to bring the right equipment and supplies, I will not be accomplishing my vision/goal. Why is it so difficult for owners to come up with a vision for their...