Want to find out why things are going so well, or so badly? Want to see problems while they’re still on the horizon, before they smash into your windscreen in a yellow blur? Want to enjoy this business ownership experience more? Want to be a wise business owner? And want all of this for free? [That sounds like a MNET advertorial opening, doesn’t it?]

And how about all those thorny issues that invade your non-business life? [Most of us don’t have a personal life any more – just a few hours when we’re not at the coalface, so our business efforts define who we are so much more than our families do!]

The best and easiest way to gain such perspective is also marvellously simple. Write! Write it all down – or at least write down a quick few lines each day on what happened that day – and what your feelings are about it. This isn’t meant to be Hemingway stuff – and it doesn’t even have to be in words! If you’re more comfortable with pictures or a MindMap – go with that. The point is simply to spend a few minutes unwinding through the events of the day. As you write it down you will gain new insight into WHY some of it happened and what to do next time to prepare for it.

Way back in the old days, before computers even, ancient mariners would keep a journal or log detailing their experiences as they travelled. Pilots do pretty much the same thing after each flight. And they both crashed somewhat less than we do.

You don’t need a special book to do this. I use my regular daily diary to note the days frustrations and successes. [Some days there is a whole bunch of empty space to fill – a lot of blank page!] And I tend to focus on the important stuff – whatever that is. [Important means anything that you want it to mean!]

Over time you will find your scribbles become better and better and more focused on where you want to go in your own life. Going back to your previous notes will also give you a much deeper perspective on your business efforts. And it will often give you a very different perspective, as well as highlight trends. You will gain a much wiser perspective, and Lord knows we could all use more wisdom.

Please don’t think that this is so simple that it can’t be powerful. You don’t need an advanced degree in rocket science or business to write a few brief lines each day – but the mere fact that you are doing so will add more value to your business efforts than any degree!

And now it’s time for more coffee.

© Peter Carruthers, www.petesweekly.co.za

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