I was near Lombard Street in San Francisco this week, the crookedest street in the world.
A short block long, one-way only, down a very steep hill, eight tight hairpin turns, at a recommended maximum speed of five miles per hour.
On one hand, you must proceed with caution.
On the other hand, the beautiful, quaint, brick-paved route is fun, challenging and a great joy to navigate.
Kind of reminded me of our business.
A strong metaphorical resemblance, don’t you agree?
Your business might feel filled with sharp turns, causing you to believe you are cascading rumble-tumble down a steep hill. So you step on the brakes and go slowly, too often missing the joy the ride brings.
Approaching Lombard Street without a driving plan would be fool-hardy. With a plan it’s like a great ride at Disneyland—you want to queue up and do it again.
Like your business.
With a business plan in hand, the sharp turns—though often unexpected—become manageable. The sensation of cascading downhill feels more controllable. You don’t have to step on the brakes very often at all. As a matter of fact, you can probably pick up speed!
Month Two of 2015 has just begun. If you haven’t mapped out your plan for this year…or to end the next months if you operate on a fiscal year…do it now.
If you don’t know where you want to go, you’ll get somewhere, but nowhere you want to be.
Be in control of your business. Drive like you know where you’re going…because you do.
Go forth and do great things,
Martha Hanlon and Chris Williams