It seems that the conversations I have with client seem to run on a monthly trend.  One stage has everyone concerned with balance, the next with growth.  This month, people seemed to be overcome by what “other people” are doing, and feeling like they are missing out, or failing because of another’s success.

They are admiring their neighbours business grass, coveting it for themselves, without really knowing what went it to make it grow.. or if it is actually real grass at all and not just really great looking astro turf.

While assessing your competition has value, OBSESSING over it does not.  If you find your concentration straying more frequently to another person’s business, here are a few tips to get back on track, and start tending your own garden.

Size Doesn’t Always Matter

There will always be someone with a bigger following, better pictures, more content and clients than you, I guarantee it, but bigger doesn’t have to mean BETTER.

If you are getting the green eyed monster over what you PERCEIVE to be a colleagues vanity numbers or opportunities, take a minute and refocus on YOUR goals.

Every business is built differently, with different objectives and goals for returns.  Your goals will probably not be the same as your competitions, and so your visual business should differ as well.

Define WHY you are in this business, WHAT your goals and expected returns are and HOW you get that return.  Don’t worry about so-and-so’s twitter numbers, and decide for yourself if you see a benefit it building your social numbers.

And remember, just because someone is hauling around massive perceived influence, it doesn’t mean they know how to use it.

Simplify, Get Back To Basics

As a business progresses, we sometimes forget WHAT we do.  Suddenly our days are filled with “stuff” and we are busy, but without the return on our time.  If you find your wheels spinning, take some time to remind yourself what YOU do.  What ACTUALLY brings in the revenue?  Where are you spending your money? What is purpose of your business?

Just because your are busy, it doesn’t mean you are working (or getting results)

To have a business with a high ROI ensure that you have:

• DEFINED YOUR PRODUCTS and understand where your highest return comes from.
• REFINED YOUR SALES PROCESS and know HOW you sell something and WHO your client is
• ACTIVELY SELL & DELIVER RESULTS.  You NEED to sell, for tomorrow, for next month and for next season to have a viable business. You need to be PROACTIVE and not REACTIVE

Get Out The Trimmers

Just like a garden, a business will grow weeds if it is not tended to.  If you feel overwhelmed and lost in the forest, it is time to take out the trimmers, or chainsaw if things are really crazy.

Cut back the stuff that doesn’t really matter. If there is no financial or other ROI, get rid of it.    Trim the clients that are just clinging on, without a return, same goes for products/services you have, but aren’t selling.  If there is no market for purchasing these things it may be time to take them off the roster and focus on the items that perform better.

Purge Your Scary Shed

And while you are trimming the weeds, go and take a peak inside that dark and freaky shed around back. What are you hiding in there that is creating insecurity and causing you to spend so much energy focussing on what others are doing in their business.  Open the windows and let in some fresh air and know that, YES, you have every right to be here working in your business, and YES you are good enough to deliver your services/products to clients.

Don’t compare your success with others, ever.  You don’t know what they have done to achieve it, or if they are HAVE achieved the success you perceive.

Focus on your own goals, your own growth and assess your success based on YOUR standards and expectations.

I would choose a wild and productive garden over a manicured lawn any day. A creative environment that I have created to feed my soul, and my family.  A garden and a business that requires just enough time to produce results, without overtaking my life.

What kind of garden do YOU want?