Hello Reader,

We're nearing the end of our dive into the actions you can take based on my signature framework, Alignthority™and this stage is all about turning your plans into action and keeping the momentum going in the form of cultivating a sustainable business. You can read previous installments here.​

As a reminder, I'm out of the office, and while I love seeing your replies in my inbox, my own replies will be delayed.

The "Cultivate" stage might sound fancy, but it's actually quite practical. Cultivate is a word I use very much on purpose because I do believe that much like my veggie garden, businesses need ongoing tending and adjustments: pull a weed here, plant some seeds there, look at what's thriving and what's struggling based on the soil it's planted in.

Yes, this means being clear eyed about your numbers, but it's not all about spreadsheets. Cultivating a sustainable business also involves thinking deeply about your vision for the future. What do you want your business to achieve? How do you see yourself as a leader? By getting clear on these questions, you can make intentional decisions that propel your business forward for the long haul.

Again, like I've nudged you to do in the first two installments of this series, write this down or record your answers. There's immense power in documentation.

How do you see yourself and your business growing, expanding, or changing over the next 1-3 years? You are allowed to dream big here!

Hiring a team, expanding into a new niche, creating a licensing program for your methodology? Or simply steady, thoughtful work that leaves people delighted... Whatever it is, putting words behind the vision is important.

What is a business dream or goal you’ve had in your heart but been afraid or hesitant to speak out loud?

Many, many of my clients self-edit their big ideas because that's what crummy jobs and society in general trained us to do so. This means that often, our best concepts and big dreams remain hidden. One of my Accelerator clients called this question "permission to dream," and I sure love that. Actually articulating these things allows you to evaluate them and if they're something you really want, make a strategic plan to turn them into a reality.

Who inspires you? What other brands do you admire or aspire to be more like? Why is that?

Yes, I advocate for keeping our eyes on our on work, but it's human nature to look up to others and admire what they've built. Once you name who you admire, think about why they inspire you so much. Do they work with clients you dream of teaming up with? Do they have branding that makes you green with envy? Have their messaging nailed? Did they write an industry leading book? Knowing why helps set goals and create a pathway towards them.

I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into the kinds of questions that we ask in the Alignthority™ system—what I love is how accessible they make strategy. Us strategists too often speak about this work from an altitude that's way too high off the bat. By piecing together the answers to all nine of these questions (our full library of questions is far, far more, FYI), you can bring strategy back down to something that's grounded and obtainable.

Talk soon,

Sarah