Stop chasing the next level in your business until you’ve defined it

You need to stop chasing the next level in your business until you’ve defined what ‘next level’ even means to you. The phrase ‘next level’ is used so frequently in business and I’m guilty of speaking about taking your business to the next level alot. But it’s actually a phrase, like ‘being ambitious’ that really isn’t help. People’s version of being ambitious differrs varies drastically and what one business owner classes as a next level will be different to another. So if you’re thinking right now that you need to take your business to the next level and you haven’t actually worked out what the next level means to you then this is your sign to stop chasing the next level in your business until you’ve defined it.

 

 

 

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STOP CHASING THE NEXT LEVEL IN YOUR BUSINESS UNTIL YOU’VE DEFINED IT

 

Why everyone talks about moving to the next level even though it doesn’t really mean anything

 

If the phrase ‘next level’ doesn’t really mean anything concrete why is it used so often in business? My thoughts are it has become a shorthand for saying that you are ready for your busines to move beyond where it is now. It’s often used when a business has got to a certain level and maintained that level for a period of time. Moving to the next level suggests moving forward and, most importantly, moving upwards. They are sharing that they’ve outgrown where the business is now and ready for more. Using the phrase next level has all these connotations, but you aren’t having to go into detail. So it can also be a useful way to show ambition and drive without actually sharing what you trying to achieve next.

 

Why it’s dangerous to chase the next level in your business if you haven’t defined what the next level is

Saying you want to go to the next level is a bit like saying you want to make more money in your business. Yes, it is showing a general direction of movement for the business, but in actual fact it is so vague it isn’t helpful for you being able to reverse-engineer making that come true.

 

And what’s even more dangerous is that if you don’t define what the next level of success in business looks like for you then it is easy to get swept up by someone else. You might see other businesses talking about becoming a six-figure, multi-six-figure or seven-figure business owner and think that’s what you want. Or you might be a one-to-one service provider who has seen others saying that the next level of success is scaling and having one-to-many offerings and rush off to make new offerings.

 

In short, if you don’t define the next level, you don’t have anything concrete to work towards achieving, and it is easy for you to chase after someone else’s version of success and not question whether you really want it until further down the line.

 

Examples of what hitting the ‘next level’ of business could mean

 

The next level of business can materialise in many different ways, but here are some examples.

 

Increasing revenue, especially across a significant milestone – For example, growing a business over the 100k, 250k, 500k or 1m mark

 

Growing your team – For example, if your business has been just you to date and you decide to make your first hire.

 

Scaling your business – For example, a one-to-one service provider creates a membership, group programme or course so they are able to work one-to-many and generate more revenue without the direct correlation between investing more time.

 

Expanding geographically – For example, if currently you’ve only signed clients in the UK and you start working with clients in a different continent.

 

Physical expansion – For example, renting or buying an office or a studio.

 

Working with bigger or ‘better’ clients – For example, if you are a B2B service provider, it might be working with bigger, more well-known businesses.

 

There are just some examples of what the ‘next level’ in business could look like. And here are some examples of what ‘next level’ goals my clients have achieved

• Hosting their first event
• Publishing a book and becoming a bestseller
• Renting their own photography studio
• Renting kitchens
• Becoming VAT registered
• Moving from done-for-you services to consulting services
• Hitting six figures
• Quitting their day job and going full-time in the business

CREATE A STRATEGIC PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR VERSION OF NEXT LEVEL SUCCESS OVER THE NEXT YEAR I’m the Annual Planning Queen and I specialise in helping micro service-based business owners plan for the year ahead so they can achieve the goals that are important to them. By booking a Strategy Day with me, I’ll ensure you have a powerful and productive annual planning experience where we consider all the major elements to ensure you can achieve your goals for the year ahead. All you have to do is secure your date, block it out in your diary and get ready to be guided through my signature annual planning framework that guarantees that, by the end of the end of our time together, you’ll have a clear roadmap to achieve your goals and be excited for the year ahead. For all the information and to book a Strategy Day click here.

 

Defining what your next level in business is

 

I’ve just walked you through a wide range of examples of what the next level in business could look like, but what do you want? At the beginning, I told you to stop chasing the next level in your business until you’ve defined it, so now it is time to get defining. You need to ask yourself these 2 questions.

 

1. WHAT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL AS IF THE BUSINESS HAS TRULY MOVED FORWARD AND PROGRESSED?

2. DO I REALLY WANT MY BUSINESS TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION?

 

You’ll likely be able to answer question 1 fairly quickly. But question 2 is the important one. For example, you might feel that making more money, hiring more people, renting a space, or expanding geographical are all clear ways of showing that the business is moving forward and progressing. But are they what you really want?

 

If you aren’t really sure what you want where are some things to consider. Go through the list and think about which ones would make you feel, regardless of if anyone else can tell or knows, that your business is taking another step closer to your ultimate business.

 

Finances

What is actually important to you financially? This could be revenue, profit, personal take-home pay, cash flow, reserves or a specific type of income (for example, a passive income stream or a certain amount of monthly recurring revenue).

 

Offer suite and pricing

What changes to your offer suite and pricing would feel like a step forward? Increasing your prices? Retiring certain offers? Creating new offers (such as a scalable offer)

 

Ideal client

Is there a type of client you no longer want to work with? Is there a type of client you’d love to work with (or only work with)?

 

Team

Do you want to have more people in your business? Are there any specific roles that would feel like the business has taken a step up?

 

Brand, PR and marketing

Do you want a brand refresh? Would you like to be featured in the press? Do you want to win awards? Do you want a marketing overhaul for example getting a new website?

 

Physical or geographical expansion

Do you want to have an office or a studio? Do you want to be operating in more countries or continents?

 

Your role in the business

How do you want to spend your time in the business? What do you want to no longer do? What do you want to focus your time on? How much time, when and how do you want to be working?

 

It might be going through those areas instantly there are some that make you feel that would feel like achieving the next level and others you aren’t bothered by. I suggested more things than necessarily in the hope that a few would sound good to you.

 

Setting goals that align with your version of ‘next level’

Once you’ve worked out what you would like your next level in business to look like then you can make some clear goals. For example, if your next level looked like increasing profit, having a scalable offer and hiring your first employee, then your goals might be

 

1. To increase profit by Xk in comparison to the last year
2. To launch a scalable offer by {insert date] and generate Xk in the first launch
3. To hire my first employee, a virtual assistant, by [insert date]

 

Now you’ve got clear goals so you create a plan that you believe will enable you to achieve your goals and actively take action and work towards achieving those goals, and thus taking your business to the next level.

 

BE THE CEO YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS. GET CLEAR ON YOUR VERSION OF NEXT LEVEL AND THEN DECIDE HOW YOU’RE GOING TO GET THERE OVER THE NEXT YEAR.  I’m the Annual Planning Queen and I specialise in helping micro service-based business owners plan for the year ahead so they can make their business better. By booking a Strategy Day with me, I’ll ensure you have a powerful and productive annual planning experience where we consider all the major elements to ensure you can achieve your goals for the year ahead. All you have to do is secure your date, block it out in your diary and get ready to be guided through my signature annual planning framework that guarantees that, by the end of the end of our time together, you’ll have a clear roadmap to achieve your goals and be excited for the year ahead. For all the information and to book a Strategy Day click here.

 

That’s it. You now know what you need to stop chasing the next level in your business until you’ve defined it.

 

I’m not here to dampen your ambitions. If you want to chase the next level of success in your business, go for it. Just make sure first you’ve really thought about what is important to you and defined what your next level is.

If you’ve found this blog post useful, please do let me know over on Instagram or LinkedIn.

 

And if you’d like support working out how to take your business to the next level based on your definition, then I’d love to support you.

 

For help mapping out how to acheive your next level goals over the next 12 months, then a Strategy Day is perfect for you. Click here for all the information.

For help with creating the strategy to achieve your goals, but then having the ongoing support, training and accountability to implement and react as necessary,  then my 1:1 Business and Marketing Mentoring is perfect for you. Click here for all the information.