4-Step Tool for Achieving Business Success

I’ll remember that day for the rest of my life. I was 15 years old, washing dishes in a ski resort restaurant. I recall looking out the window at the bright morning sun and the vast fields of fresh powder snow. I had a rough childhood, and I guess I was feeling somewhat depressed and hopeless. But in that moment, I remember thinking, I will have a wonderful life. I envisioned exploring the world, skiing the mountains, and having truly amazing experiences. That thought gave me hope. And you know what? It all happened. I’ve had some truly incredible experiences in my life.

What’s been key for me in living the life I always dreamed of is that, instead of a traditional day job, I work as an online entrepreneur. This gives me two invaluable assets that enable my lifestyle—money and time. By running my own business, I have more freedom to live life on my own terms.

Now, let me ask you: Do you have dreams and goals you want to achieve in business, but feel stuck? Unsure how to move forward? Let me help you right here, right now.

What you need is a vision.

You need to know where you’re going and how to get there.

There’s a saying in the Bible: “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”

Without a vision, you’ll be lost and unable to reach your goals. A clear vision is crucial for both personal and professional success, so it’s essential to start building it as soon as possible.

Here is my 4-step tool for reaching your goals.

Step 1 - Your VALUES

Late Jim Rohn, from whom I learned so much, often emphasized the importance of values in personal and professional development. He believed that values are the foundation upon which all success is built. Jim taught that living by strong values is fundamental to personal growth and achieving meaningful success. Without a clear understanding of your values, it becomes difficult to create a fulfilling and purposeful life.

Values are the principles and beliefs that guide our decisions, behaviors, and how we view the world. They reflect what’s most important to us and can help create a clear path for both personal and professional success.

So, let's define your values first. Read my list below, and write down your answers on paper.

• What brings you the most fulfillment or satisfaction? (This can point to core values like achievement, growth, or contribution.)
• When have you felt most proud of yourself? (This could highlight values like integrity, responsibility, or creativity.)
• What causes you the most frustration or discomfort in life? (This could point to violated values like honesty, respect, or freedom.)
• Who do you admire and why? (This helps uncover values like leadership, compassion, or courage.)
• What motivates you to take action? (Look for patterns that reveal values like independence, love, or making a difference.)

Try to identify common themes or patterns in your answers. These themes will often reflect your deepest-held values. For instance:

• If you feel proud when helping others, you may value contribution or compassion.
• If you feel frustrated by dishonesty, integrity might be one of your core values.
• If you admire someone for their leadership, you may value leadership or influence.

Next, prioritize, and come up with a list of your CORE VALUES:

• List 5-10 values: Start with a broad list of values you feel are important, such as honesty, growth, family, etc.
• Rank them: Once you have the list, rank these values in order of importance. This forces you to prioritize, which is key for decision-making when values conflict.

Now, give each value a clear, personal definition. This makes the values actionable and specific to you. For example:

• Integrity: Always acting in line with my principles and doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult.
• Growth: Continuously seeking to learn, improve, and evolve, both personally and professionally.
• Family: Prioritizing meaningful time and connection with my family.

Next, attach your values to actions. List behaviors or actions that reflect your values. For instance:

• Value: Integrity - Action: I will keep my promises, communicate honestly, and be accountable for my actions.
• Value: Growth - Action: I will dedicate time each week to learning something new, whether through books, courses, or experiences.

From now on start living according to your values. This is important because otherwise your values have no meaning. For example when faced with a tough decision, ask yourself: “Which choice aligns most closely with my core values?”

Here are my values as an example. Don't just copy mine, come up with your own values. It's super important.

1. Freedom

• Definition: The ability to control my time and make decisions that allow me to live life on my own terms.
• Action: I will continue building my online business to maximize time flexibility and financial independence.

2. Growth

• Definition: Continuous learning and improvement, both personally and professionally.
• Action: I will invest in new skills, learning opportunities, and personal development to evolve as an entrepreneur and coach.

3. Impact

• Definition: Inspiring and empowering others through my work to help them achieve their dreams.
• Action: I will design coaching programs that provide real value and transformation, helping clients succeed in their online businesses.

4. Integrity

• Definition: Being authentic, honest, and transparent in all my interactions.
• Action: I will always deliver on promises to clients, staying true to my principles and maintaining a high level of trust.

5. Creativity

• Definition: Pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box to innovate and create something unique.
• Action: I will use creative strategies and tools, such as AI, to develop new approaches to online marketing and business growth.

6. Excellence

• Definition: Striving for high quality and exceptional outcomes in everything I do.
• Action: I will maintain high standards in my work, ensuring that every product and service I offer is of top quality.

7. Adventure

• Definition: Embracing new experiences, exploring the world, and seeking joy in both work and life.
• Action: I will build a business that allows me to travel, experience different cultures, and enjoy life’s adventures without limitations.

Step 2 - Your FOCUS

Now that you know your values it is time to define your FOCUS in business. These are the core elements that will guide your decisions and help you stay focused on what really matters. So, how do you figure them out? Let me walk you through it.

1. Vision: The Big Picture

Your vision is what you’re aiming for in the long run. It’s the ultimate goal, the dream life and business you’re working toward.

Here’s how to get clear on it:

• Think about where you want to be in 5 or 10 years. What does your ideal life look like?
• What kind of lifestyle do you want? What impact do you want to have?
• If you could achieve anything, what would it be?

Take a moment to visualize it. Close your eyes if you need to. Picture that perfect future—what are you doing, where are you, and who are you helping?

Example: "My vision is to build a business that lets me travel the world, while helping other entrepreneurs succeed in ecommerce and coaching."

2. Mission: The Action Plan

Your mission is all about how you’re going to make that vision happen. It’s the purpose behind what you do every day.

To get clear on your mission, ask yourself:

• What’s your purpose in your business?
• How are you going to make your vision a reality?
• What specific actions or services will you offer to help people?
• What problems are you solving, and who are you solving them for?

It’s simple: your mission is the what and how that moves you toward your vision.

Example: "My mission is to give entrepreneurs the tools and support they need to build successful online businesses and live life on their own terms."

3. Niche-Market: Your Target Audience

Now let’s talk about your niche. This is the specific group of people you want to serve. Getting this right is key because if you try to serve everyone, you’ll end up serving no one.

Here’s how you find your niche:

• Who do you love working with the most?
• What group of people will benefit the most from what you offer?
• What specific problem do they have, and how can you solve it better than anyone else?

The more specific you can be, the better. Instead of targeting "all small businesses," maybe you focus on "solopreneurs in ecommerce," or "coaches looking to scale their business online." Get clear on who you’re serving and how you stand out.

Notice how I highlighted the last bullet point. It's very important because it works as a basis for your business.

Example: "I help early-stage entrepreneurs build profitable online businesses, focusing on those who want to scale quickly using digital advertising, artificial intelligence, and automation."

Aligning Vision, Mission, and Niche

Now, here’s the fun part. Your vision, mission, and niche should all line up. They work together like a roadmap:

• Your vision is your long-term goal.
• Your mission is how you’re going to get there.
• And your niche is who you’re going to help along the way.

Quick Exercise

Grab a pen and write down one sentence for each: your vision, your mission, and your niche. Then, see how they align. If they don’t feel quite right, tweak them until they fit together perfectly.

Example Combined Statement:

• Vision: "I want to create a world where entrepreneurs have the freedom to build businesses that support their dream lifestyles."
• Mission: "I help early-stage entrepreneurs by providing strategic tools and mentorship to build and grow successful online businesses."
• Niche: "I focus on solopreneurs and small business owners in the online business space who are ready to scale using digital ads and automation."

Keep It Simple

Your vision, mission, and niche don’t need to be complicated. In fact, the simpler and clearer, the better. And once you have them down, they become the foundation for everything you do in your business.

Step 3 - Your SALES & MARKETING

Next, you need to define your marketing and sales strategy. I know this isn’t easy, and you might feel like, “I have no clue,” but you have to start somewhere. Remember, you can always revisit and refine your plan as you progress and learn more.

Let’s break down how to define your marketing and sales system. We’re going to keep it simple by focusing on four things: Target, Uniqueness, Process, and Guarantee. This is all about knowing who you’re serving, what makes you different, how you’ll reach your audience, and how you’ll make sure they notice you.

1. Target: Who Are You Helping?

First, let’s get clear on your target—the people you want to impact. You need to know exactly who you’re serving and how you’ll help them. The clearer you are, the easier it will be to craft a message that speaks to them.

Ask yourself:

• Who are my ideal clients or customers?
• What problem do they have that I can solve?
• How can I make their lives better?

Example: "I want to help new entrepreneurs who are struggling to build and scale their online coaching businesses. I’ll guide them with proven digital marketing strategies that drive results."

2. Uniqueness: What Makes You Stand Out?

Next, think about your uniqueness. What sets you apart from everyone else? This is where you highlight your strengths and what gives you an edge in the market. Your uniqueness is why people should choose you over someone else.

Ask yourself:

• What are my strengths or skills that give me an advantage?
• How is my approach or offer different from the competition?
• Why would someone choose to work with me?

Example: "I’ve spent over 15 years building successful coaching and consulting businesses and mastering digital ads. My unique advantage is creating highly profitable ad strategies for new entrepreneurs."

3. Process: How Will You Reach Your Audience?

Now, let’s talk about your process. This is all about the channels you’ll use to connect with your audience. You need to know where your ideal clients hang out and how you’ll communicate with them.

Ask yourself:

• What platforms will I use to reach my target audience? (Instagram, YouTube, email marketing, etc.)
• How will I get my message in front of them?
• What’s my main way of building relationships with my audience?

Example: "I’ll reach my audience through Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube by sharing educational content about building an online business, backed by ads that drive traffic to my coaching services. I’ll also use email marketing to build deeper connections."

4. Guarantee: How Will You Capture Their Attention?

Finally, you need to create a guarantee—something that grabs attention and makes people take notice. This isn’t always a literal "money-back guarantee." It’s more about making sure your offer is so good, people can’t ignore it.

Ask yourself:

• What can I promise that will make my audience pay attention?
• How can I make sure my offer stands out?
• Is there something special or unique I can include in my offer?

Example: "I guarantee entrepreneurs will see a big increase in sales within 90 days of working with me, or I’ll coach them for free until they do. I even offer a free consultation to get started."

Putting It All Together

Now that you’ve got your Target, Uniqueness, Process, and Guarantee figured out, put them together into a simple, clear plan for your marketing and sales. Here’s how it might look:

Example:

• Target: "I help busy professionals who want to start a side business but don’t know where to start."
• Uniqueness: "I’m great at helping people with limited time by breaking things down into simple, step-by-step processes."
• Process: "I’ll reach them through blog posts, YouTube tutorials, and social media ads, leading them into my membership program."
• Guarantee: "I guarantee my system will have their first business launch ready in 30 days or less, or I’ll personally coach them through it."

Keep It Simple

Your marketing and sales system doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is to know exactly who you’re serving, how you stand out, and how you’ll reach them with an offer they can’t refuse.

Step 4 - Your GOALS in life

Last but not least the fun part. This is where it gets exciting.

If you want to succeed in business and life, you need a clear vision of where you're headed. Setting 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year goals is the perfect way to create that roadmap for your future. Let me walk you through how to do it.

1. Start with Your 10-Year Vision (The Big Dream)

Let’s start with your 10-year goals. This is where you dream big! I’m talking about the ultimate lifestyle and business you want to create over the next decade. Imagine everything goes perfectly—what does that look like for you?

Ask yourself:

• What kind of life do I want to be living in 10 years?
• Where do I want to live? What does my ideal day look like?
• How successful do I want my business to be?
• What level of financial freedom do I want to have?
• What kind of impact do I want to make?

Don’t hold back here—this is your vision for the future. Dream big and think about what would truly excite and inspire you.

Example: "In 10 years, I want to run a thriving international business that lets me travel whenever I want. I’ll be financially independent, own a home near the mountains, and be surrounded by a community of inspiring entrepreneurs."

2. Set Your 5-Year Goals (Mid-Term Milestones)

Now that you have your 10-year vision, let’s figure out what needs to happen in the next five years to move you toward that big dream. These are your milestones that show you’re on the right path.

Ask yourself:

• What do I need to achieve in 5 years to get closer to my 10-year goal?
• What major wins or milestones should I aim for in the next five years?
• How do I measure progress in my career, business, or personal life?

Your 5-year goals should be challenging but achievable. They help you stay focused and build momentum toward your long-term vision.

Example: "In 5 years, I want to scale my business to earn €500,000 annually, hire a small team, and launch two new product lines. I also want the freedom to work remotely and travel for a few months each year."

3. Plan Your 1-Year Goals (Action Steps)

Here’s where it gets practical. Your 1-year goals are the steps you’ll take this year to move toward those 5-year and 10-year goals. This is all about action—what are you going to do in the next 12 months?

Ask yourself:

• What specific goals do I need to hit in the next year to stay on track for my 5-year plan?
• What habits, skills, or systems do I need to build?
• What measurable outcomes can I aim for this year?

Keep your 1-year goals focused and actionable. These are the steps you can take right now to move toward your bigger vision.

Example: "This year, I’ll grow my business to €100,000 in revenue by launching a new coaching program. I’ll also build my social media presence to 10,000 followers and implement better time management systems."

4. Tie It All Together

By setting your 1, 5, and 10-year goals, you create a roadmap for your future. The 1-year goals help you stay focused on immediate actions. The 5-year goals give you major milestones to work toward. And the 10-year vision is the big dream that keeps you motivated.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• 10-Year Goals = Your big vision. Dream big.
• 5-Year Goals = The milestones you need to hit to get there. Stay focused.
• 1-Year Goals = The actionable steps you’ll take right now. Take action.

Your Turn: Write It Down

Now it’s your turn. Take a few minutes to write down your 10-year vision, your 5-year milestones, and your 1-year action steps.

1. 10-Year Vision: What does your dream life and business look like 10 years from now?
2. 5-Year Milestones: What do you need to achieve in the next 5 years to be on track?
3. 1-Year Goals: What specific actions will you take in the next 12 months to move closer to your vision?

Remember, these goals will help guide your daily decisions and keep you on track toward the life and business you really want.

Conclusion

As you can see, building the life and business you dream of starts with having a clear vision and taking action toward it. When I was 15, washing dishes in that ski resort, I never imagined the life I would eventually create. But that moment of hope, that moment when I truly felt that my future would be bright, was the spark that set everything in motion.

The path to success isn’t always easy, and there will be moments where you feel stuck, unsure of the next step. But having your values, your vision, your mission, and a clear sales and marketing system gives you a roadmap. And when you combine that with your 1, 5, and 10-year goals, you create a powerful plan to move forward with confidence.

Remember, it’s not about having everything figured out right away. It’s about knowing where you’re going and having a system to guide your actions. As you progress, you'll revisit and refine your strategy, but the key is to start now. Take what you’ve learned here, and begin building your future today.

So, ask yourself: What’s the next step? Write down your values. Get clear on your vision. Define your target audience, and set your goals. The life you envision is closer than you think—it’s just a few steps away.

And most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. This isn’t just about reaching your goals; it’s about creating a life that excites you along the way. So dream big, take action, and let’s make those dreams a reality.

Cheers,

Marko

P.S. Want to learn how to build a business that gives you more freedom and success? Subscribe to my Weekend Warriors newsletter for practical tips, strategies, and inspiration to help you reach your goals—straight to your inbox!"