A Lesson Learned The Hard Way

By Valeri Hall Little

Are you excited to make plans and set goals for the year ahead? Me too! 

Here’s a lesson I learned (the hard way!) when I wanted to bring my goal of launching a new offering into the world. 

I remember the moment well.

It was 7 years ago … the day I had the great idea to launch my first-ever group program.

My pulse raced, I broke out into a sweat, and decided YES Valeri!! Let’s do this!! Woo Hoo!!

I knew it was a great idea because …

  • I surfed the web and saw all the other business coaches rocking their group programs.
  • I read how a group program was the ticket to scaling my way to financial success.
  • I asked my business BFFs what they thought.

All these pointed to this being …

A GREAT IDEA.

Until it wasn’t. At least not at first.

Have you ever been jolted by something you thought would be awesome?

These inspirations often come when you’re daydreaming, in the shower, or bored with what you’re doing and you’re looking for some excitement.

As a visionary entrepreneur, few things are as exciting … as that next great idea.

Am I right?

So I forged ahead ...

  • I spent hours researching.
  • I invested in new tech tools to automate the heck out of it.
  • I polished this program to perfection.

And then I held my breath and launched it.

Crickets. That’s what I heard. Crickets.

Okay, I had a few people sign up. But it wasn’t the fanfare I envisioned when I had this great idea.

It wasn’t until I read this line from one of my all-time favourite business books, Playing Big by Tara Mohr …

“The most important people to gather feedback from are the intended audiences and decision makers you need to influence or reach.”

And that’s when I knew the missing piece to all the excitement of putting this group program together.

The essential element that was missing …

I validated the idea with the wrong people.

It’s the people that are reached by this great idea … that’s whom to gather feedback.

  • Not family and friends.
  • Not the gurus, experts or others in your industry.
  • Not your business BFFs.

You may find yourself seeking to justify your idea from those you love and trust, like I did. And because they love you back … they’ll cheer you on!

Instead seek information from …

  • Your clients (past and present).
  • Your prospects.
  • Your stakeholders.

Only this group can tell you whether your idea is relevant to them. And depending on their input you’ll know if it’s truly a great idea.

Before you invest your time, money and energy, pause and ask yourself this question first…

Who is the intended audience I’m trying to influence or engage?

Then go and ask them.

And listen.