Summer has a beat of its own.
The days seem a little longer. Calendars begin to fill with vacations, family gatherings, golf outings, pool days, and evenings spent catching up with friends. It's a season we look forward to all year, yet somehow it always seems to pass too quickly.
For business owners and leaders, summer can also be a season of opportunity. New ideas emerge, expansion plans take shape, and conversations about "what's next" begin to take center stage. But I've learned that some of our most important business decisions aren't about growth. They are about having a clear vision.
I was recently coaching a small business owner who was considering purchasing a $6 million parcel of land for future development. On the surface, it sounded like an exciting opportunity. As she talked through the possibilities, however, something just didn't sound right.
Over the past year, I had heard her describe her vision for her business many times. She had talked about expanding. She had talked about purchasing a building. She had talked about serving more customers and creating new opportunities. What I had never heard her talk about was becoming a land developer or taking on a project of this magnitude.
So, I asked a simple question.
"Is this your vision, or are you pursuing someone else's?"
There was a long pause.
Finally, she admitted what was really weighing on her. She didn't believe this was the right direction. Her potential business partner for this project was enthusiastic about the opportunity, and she felt pressure to move forward even though it was not in the future she has envisioned. The real challenge wasn't evaluating the land and its potential to grow a business. It was finding the confidence to say no.
Together, we worked through what that conversation could sound like. We didn't just craft a response; we reaffirmed her vision.
That conversation stayed with me because it isn't just a business lesson. It's a summer lesson.
Summer has a way of reminding us that our time is limited. Before we know it, another season has come and gone. We can fill every day with activity, commitments, opportunities, and obligations, or we can be intentional about how we spend the precious time we've been given. I always refer to intentionality, and I honestly try to live my life being intentional which isn't always easy.
I've found myself thinking about that often this summer. Balancing client work with writing, making time to swim, enjoying family and friends, and simply appreciating the longer evenings has reminded me that success isn't measured by how full our calendars become. It's measured by whether our time reflects what matters most. Each person has to answer what that means but I believe the same principle applies in business.
Being intentional means that every opportunity might not be the right opportunity. Each invitation extended to you doesn't necessarily deserve a yes; and, most importantly not every exciting and new idea leads to your vision.
Sometimes the most strategic decision you'll make isn't expanding faster, spending more, or chasing the next big idea. Sometimes it's having the confidence to stay true to the vision you've already created or dreamed about for your future.
As July begins to wind down, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself a few questions:
Am I making decisions that will lead me to my long-term vision?
Am I spending my time on what matters most?
Where do I need the confidence to say "no"?
Summer won't last forever.
Neither will the opportunities to enjoy it.
After all, the most valuable asset any business owner has isn't capital or real estate it's time. Spend it wisely. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
WAYS TO WORK WITH JARVIS CONSULTANTS!
Strategies: We help small to mid-size companies develop business, marketing, and event management strategies.
Business Coaching: We coach Founders of small to medium size businesses who want to take their organization to the next level.
Project Management: We support companies that don’t have the personnel resources internally; we help them create projects from the development stages to implementation; and a tactical management process.
New Business Development: We help clients research and explore new business opportunities and/or emerging trends that can be optimized and generate incremental revenue including content.
Contact sonya@jarvisconsultants.com