There is only one way to predict the future: to explore the past.
As James Burke said, “Why should we look to the past in order to prepare for the future? Because there is nowhere else to look.”
At the end of every week, I spend a few minutes reflecting and journalling on my successes and failures from the week before so that I can learn from them.
By exploring my past, I can better predict the future success of my business. I create a vision for MetaHelm, and for the impact I want it to have around us.
This is one of the practices I recommend in order to build the discipline of Visionary Leadership, and grow narrative power for your business.
How it works:
- To start my weekly reflection session, I ask myself a simple question that my coach Kelly Vogel taught me: “What has been new and good since last week?”. I then give myself time to expand my thinking, explore my thoughts and feelings, and jot down what comes to my heart & mind.
- As I explore, I use the Strategic Narrative Canvas to get a 360-degree overview of my business and write down my wins.
- I narrow it down to three important wins from the week before.
- Then, I ask myself, “What was THE most important thing last week?” which could be either positive or negative, by the way.
- I capture everything in an Excel spreadsheet.
- I draw conclusions and start updating my business plan.
What’s good about this practice?
By following this structure, you will build the habit of continuously learning from your entrepreneurship journey.
But here is the most important thing. You also build something critical, something we overlook: data.
I started this practice for MetaHelm around 2018, and I now have 5 years’ worth of data. That data is numerical because I capture wins and failures in numbers and also anecdotal because I capture them in stories.
Now, I have thousands of stories at my disposal to mine, structure, and shape the one thing that dictates everything about my business: narrative power.
Your/Your business narrative power is the ability to influence norms and values inside and outside your business. For instance, how you mobilize yourself in the face of adversity, how you invite your ideal clients to work with you, and how you shape the conversation about the unique way you bring your work to bear and differentiate.
Building narrative power is an act of leadership. It starts with leaders who have a vision, share a vision, and inspire others to create their own.
My narrative allows me to run MetaHelm adapt it, change it, and grow this business with more ease and joy.
Now, your turn:
- Focus on gathering and processing your stories with the steps I just gave you.
- Ask yourself that question – “What has been new and good since last week?”
- Notice the narrative that connects those stories.
- If you’re new to my approach or need a reminder, learn about the difference between stories and narratives. Stories are facts and events. Narratives are viewpoints, and systems of stories. Yes, stories and narratives are different. Google “Story vs. Narrative” and read my article.
- Become a more Visionary leader and accelerate your ability to grow narrative power for yourself and your business.
It’s Saturday, so maybe a good day to practice the force of your narrative.
It’s almost May, so may the force of your strategic narrative be with you!
Reminder: Are you joining us for The Force In Your Origin Story next Thursday?