For the next installment of our “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” series, we’re talking about the concept of beginning with the end in mind.
It might make sense at first to think the very beginning is the best place to start when it comes to forming goals, especially when it comes to launching a business. However, this simply isn’t the case. If you want to be successful, you need to start at the very end. To put it simply, you need to really visualise and determine what it is you want. Once this is established, you can then figure out exactly how to get it.
This, of course, is far from a new concept. You’ve probably heard this in a variety of different ways before. That’s simply because it works. When you need to go somewhere and you open up your map app, do you search for different points along your route, or do you search for your end destination?
So how can you implement this habit?
Understand the Purpose of Starting at the End
The goal of this habit is to put your needs, wants, and goals into perspective. Really dig into the core of what it is you want.
For example: Your answer may be, “I want to start a business.” This isn’t the end goal. Most entrepreneurs want to start a business for a specific reason. Do you want to make a lot of money? Do you want recognition in a particular industry? Perhaps you want to retire early? Your answer would be something along the lines of, “I want to make £100,000 per year” rather than “I want to start a business.”
Making a Map Towards Your Goal
Once you’ve established your real end goal, you can finally begin to map out the timeline you’d like to follow to reach it. Keep in mind that while your end goal may not change, your timeline might– and it should. The journey towards success as an entrepreneur isn’t perfect from conception to goal achievement. There will be processes, tools, and subgoals along the way that will need to change over time to be more effective at reaching that end goal.
Always Review Your Mission Statement
Are you feeling stuck and unable to move towards your goal? Constantly review your mission statement and end goal. Are you who you want to be at this moment? Think about the principle of acting and thinking. Instead of changing certain processes in your timeline towards your goal, really think about how you want things to go and if changing things will result in the right consequences. Starting with the end in mind and constantly evaluating your processes are the best ways to achieve your goal.
Finally…
When you begin with the end in mind you set yourself up for success. Having an end destination ensures that you keep working towards an end destination without getting too caught up in the journey along the way.