Start with the end in mind
We chase a lot of goals in life - growing a business, building relationships, improving ourselves, becoming better leaders, etc. But oftentimes you may find yourself jumping into taking action without first getting clear on the end destination we want.
This is why habit #2 from Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is so powerful, and one of my favorites: "Start with the end in mind."
Instead of focusing on day-to-day tasks, imagine the end first. Envision the ideal future state you're striving for and get as crystal clear as possible - then reverse engineer the steps to make it happen.
For example, my friend Alex started his landscape design company 3 years ago. At first, he took on any project and worked crazy hours chasing business—which is often the story for most entrepreneurs. He was immersed in the daily grind, staying busy, but not really building towards the big picture.
He kept his head down, worked hard, and didn’t realize he was spinning his wheels for over a year.
When we talked, Alex realized his end goal was to run a $5M revenue business serving higher-end clients that appreciate the extreme level of design he put into his projects. He painted a vivid picture - stable processes, better margins, pursuing his artistic vision, and more family time.
With the end in mind, Alex now only takes on clients aligned with that vision. He builds systems to be more efficient. And he says no to growth opportunities that don't serve his end goal.
Starting with the end in mind applies to all areas:
Health - Envision your ideal energy level and habits. Then work backward to create routines, environments, and relationships to get there.
Business - Define your desired culture and target clients first. Make tactical choices that ladder up.
Relationships - Visualize the partner and friendship dynamics you want. Then adjust how you communicate and spend time to create that.
Of course, clarifying the end vision is only step one. Consistent, daily action is still required to make it all happen. But focusing first on the end goal enables two key benefits:
You make tactical decisions that align with your ultimate vision rather than getting bogged down in immediate pressures. No more spinning your wheels.
You turn abstract goals into actual goals that feel attainable. Being able to see what’s just on the other side of hard work will keep you motivated and focused when times get hard (and they will).
So the next time you set a goal - don't just jump into doing. First, picture the end result. Paint that picture of success in your mind. Then confidently work backward from there.
Lastly, keep the plan simple. Go from point A to point B with as few steps as possible. Keep it lean. Keep it smooth.
When you start with the end in mind, your chances of getting there skyrocket.
PS: If you haven’t already, go get a copy of Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and let me know which habit sticks out to you the most!