In January of 2008, when I was hit with the burning desire to create my motivational positive message on-line tshirt company Words to Live By Tees I didn't know very much about the tshirt industry. Also, I quickly realized that my scant knowledge of the Internet would be of little value as I sought to make the company into an on-line Indie catering to smart women who enjoy sharing and wearing their empowered mindset for all the world to see. Now that I'm 10 months past the starter phase and well into the launch phase, I can look back and see that there were several key phases that I experienced which resulted in me possessing a wealth of knowledge that is helping me to live quite comfortably within the actualization of my goals. Today, I'm going to share these revelations and a secret with you.
In phase 1, Deep Desire, one of the first and most critical things I experienced was a deep intense desire to achieve my goal. The thought of this goal began to take up space inside of me. It seemed to be begging me to be brought to life. When I first got the idea for the company, the first tee shirt message that came to me was "When your life no longer fits change it". I jotted down this inspiring message and took it as a cue that I needed to quit thinking about doing something and to actually go ahead and do something about my life long desire to help women stay motivated and to live lives based on courage and empowerment.
In phase 2, the Incubator, I did an incredible amount of brainstorming and dreaming. I'd stay up late researching this idea and that idea. I'd come up with one concept and toss it aside for another that more closely articulated my vision, until I arrived at what would become my company philosophy and vision. The energy of the tshirts would be - Words to Live By "tees with a positive vibe embracing change!" And the company would be known for creating wearable motivation for your soul. I was having the time of my life!
In phase 3, the Application, I began to commit my ideas to paper. I did more and more research. I took on-line courses about the Internet. I studied my potential competitors and began to figure out how they did it and how might I do my own thing. I joined on-line forums that were based on my product & retail area. I became a student of tshirt manufacturing, on-line and some brick & mortar retail shops, fonts, screenprinting, shipping, shirt trends over the years, joined Score and Marketing forums, studied blogging and Indie business development, and sent out surveys to more than one hundred friends asking them to choose the messages that had the greatest impact on them. You name it, and I was all over it.
In phase 4, Assessment, I began to examine my strengths and weaknesses more closely. I knew that I'd run one successful business for 14 years, The Children's Theatre Workshop, Inc., so I had a lot to bring to the entrepreneurial table, but I'd never done anything besides send emails over the Internet so I had to increase that learning curve quickly. I also took small business finance courses, upgraded my finance software, began creating systems for handling orders, storage, studied PR for the web, and polished up on color and design concepts.
In phase 5, Implementation, I began to move from the on paper phase to the tangible phase. I had my logo designed and sample shirts produced to see the designs come to life. I built storage to fit the system of the company, I built a website page by page on paper, and began the relationship with my web designer (which unfortunately fell to pieces two weeks before my launch. The design team split. But that's a whole 'nother post!)
Finally, the day came when I had product, a system for handling the product, a sound foundation and understanding of the Internet marketplace and a vehicle through which to sell my product. I was ready for the launch of a new on-line Indie in the thsirt industry, Words to Live By Tees was born.
Throughout each of these phases I repeatedly asked myself one very powerful question which I've come to realize is truly the only secret to actualizing your goals: What do I need to do next to bring me and my goal into a shared reality? Once I asked the question, I would actually listen for the answer. I didn't try to go find the answer. I waited for the answer to arrive. Sometimes the answer came instantaneously and sometimes it was revealed over the course of hours or days. But once I asked the question and sincerely committed to needing and wanting the answer. I would receive exactly what I needed and then act upon it.
A dear friend in New York whom I had called at the first of the year to tell her about my brand spanking new idea, called me 10 months later after the Internet launch and expressed how much she respected my tenacity because she knew the hundreds of decisions that I'd had to make to move the company from idea to actualization. In fact, she said, "You actually actualized it. That's no small feat. I'm so very proud of you!"
Well, there you have it. My experience with the secret to actualizing ones goals. I still ask that secret powerful question on a daily basis, because the process never really stops. You keep asking and the Universe will keep helping you to go to the next level as you are ready to receive it.
Remember, time is short. Do your happy dance. Enjoy life!
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