What is your 'big picture'

What keeps you going when things aren't as easy as you expected or stuff goes wrong?

Been thinking about this a lot recently, have had some crises (mainly of my own confidence) recently and a few people close to me reminded me of my big picture.

My big picture is real simple, I've got three boys and Joseph (15, eldest) told me after hearing my 4Sight that he and his brothers hadn't been aware of my downfall 5 years ago. That made me proper proud.

When I was in the estate agency/financial services industry whenever we were asked about goals people would typically talk about cars or holidays, and I'm sure I participated. Looking back on it I realise how hollow all of that is. My big goal now is that the boys aren't ever disadvantaged, plus they learn about real life along the way.

Saturday morning ramble ends.

Hi Stefan,

 I love the idea of a Big Picture and it seems we might need two!

I guess you need a Big Picture of what you want your business to achieve for you personally (you clearly have a very powerful reason which I love).

And also a Big Picture that you want to achieve with your business for your customers. For example, I aim to help people find what's interesting about their busness and then express that through words that make their customers respond.  I also write about that on my blog. 

My big picture is very similar to yours Stef. I also have three lads and would love to build this new business up, first locally then regionally and eventually nationally to ensure we as a family are in a comfortable position, I can help my lads get on the property ladder and also help set them up with a career / business either with me or via their own pursuits

Currently my bigger picture is to be able to support a family in the future and allow them to see more of the world with me. I would love to travel more & having a close knit circle of friends that I can help in a ositive way.

I guess what we need to put in our big picture is the philosophy that money is a means and not an end. I guess that would be the thing which would propel us. Success isn't measured with money alone.

My big picture was to work on my terms, for people I wanted to work with and for as little or as long as wanted. This was to allow me to spend far more time with my grandkids than I did with my kids (I missed a lot of kids childhood working long hours for employers who didnt care)

That has lost track recently with me doing 18 hour days and working through many nights, so this year has been about re-inventing the business. Its started with the rebranding and now I'm working on alternative revenue streams. Excel Expert will become more about providing off the shelf products and less about bespoke services. Its going to take a good 6-12 months to get fully rolling but its on its way. (I will still be doing the bespoke stuff but far less of it and only on projects I want)

I think what we all want is time. Time is priceless thats the end goal for me.

Richard Tweed

Totally agree with this post.-----------The bigger picture for me is also time.

"Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn't buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure?" Author Unknown 
 

For me also it is about the family, my wife and the children. But also my parents, they gave me a good start in life and if possible I would like to in some part pay that back also. And in truth my dad was the one person that gave me the final nudge into the world of business! And also I am at the stage with the business that I can offer some of my time back in the form of mentoring other business people.

When I am down about business or something goes wrong, as I have said on here before I go down the pub for a chat with someone I call my business buddy. We go chat and shoot the breeze about all things business related maybe some specific issue or just in general. But it is good to clear it of your chest, with someone that knows the ups and downs of business. Business can be one hell of a lonely place at times, so it’s good to talk openly and honestly, but make sure when they need you that you return the favour.

We all have speed wobbles at times, even the best of us, I still have my fair share! You just got to keep on keeping on, and let’s face it, it still beats the days of PAYE! 

I am loving this thread, I really am. I used to believe that I was the odd one out for not wanting the same things as my co-workers. Now I realise I was just in the wrong place.

Stef all of those other things came come in time after you have got your core values sorted. And even if they don't it does not matter provided the core issues are looked after! People that are just looking for cars, big house etc are really just being selfish in their pursuit of material items. Without yours friends family and health we are all just empty shells.

My biggest bit of advise that I could give you or anyone in business is find a good business buddy, its worked for me and is a real help!