As we step into a brand new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re headed. Maya Angelou’s words, “You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been,” resonate deeply with this moment. For small business owners in the fitness and wellbeing industry, this quote offers guidance and definitely applies to your business journey.
“You Can’t Really Know Where You Are Going”
The first part of Maya’s quote reminds us that clarity is essential – you have to know your direction. In business, this means understanding your goals/intentions and aspirations. Without a clear destination, it’s easy to drift or become overwhelmed by daily tasks. But clarity doesn’t come out of thin air; it’s rooted in reflection. Here’s a couple of pointers to get you started:
- Define Your Vision
What does success look like for your fitness or wellbeing business? Is it a thriving studio with a loyal client base? A robust online presence that reaches clients globally? Is it a certain amount of time with family and friends? Or perhaps it’s something else entirely. Knowing where you want to go is the first step in creating a roadmap.
- Align Your Goals with Your Purpose
Your direction must align with your “why.” Why did you start this business? Was it to help people lead healthier lives, to create a community, or to share your passion for fitness and wellbeing? Reconnecting with your purpose ensures that your goals are meaningful and sustainable.
“Until You Know Where You Have Been”
The second part of the quote emphasises the importance of reflection. Your past – the successes, failures, and lesson – is a treasure trove of insights. Understanding where you’ve been is not about dwelling on mistakes but about learning from them to inform your future. Here’s a few pointers to help you with this:
- Celebrate Your Achievements
Take a moment to acknowledge your wins. Did you launch a successful new programme, grow your client base, or receive testimonials that gave you the warm and fuzzies? These milestones are not just indicators of progress but also reminders of your capabilities. They highlight what works and can guide your future strategies.
- Analyse Your Challenges
Every business faces obstacles, whether it’s client retention, time management, or building your audience. Reflecting on these challenges allows you to identify patterns and root causes. For example, if client retention was an issue, was it due to inconsistent communication, lack of follow-up, or misaligned offerings? Understanding the “why” behind your challenges means you can create effective solutions and in turn improves your clarity.
- Conduct a SWOT Analysis
A structured way to reflect on your past is through a SWOT analysis. Assess your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This exercise provides a comprehensive view of where your business stands and what factors can influence your future direction.
When you combine reflection with a clear vision, you create a powerful foundation for strategic planning. You can bring this all together by setting SMART goals/intentions; prioritising what matters so you know where to start; setting boundaries that are flexible but not breakable; and finally creating that step by step plan.
But Maya Angelou’s quote is not just about strategy; it’s also about mindset. To be able to reflect and to create a clear vision from the insights, you need to have a growth based mindset. Without it when you reflect, the setbacks don’t become opportunities for change but instead opportunities to beat yourself up. A growth based mindset also helps to decrease feelings of doubt and imposter syndrome.
In conclusion…
Maya Angelou’s words remind us that reflection and vision are intertwined. You can’t move forward with purpose until you understand the path that brought you here.
Here’s to embracing the wisdom of the past and the promise of what lies ahead!
Until next time,
Best wishes
Philippa x