"The Blueprint for Success: Focusing on 'The Thing' in Business Development"

"Practice is just as valuable as a sale. The sale will make you a living; the skill will make you a fortune." ~ Jim Rohn

I'm addicted to podcasts, and YouTube channels, and digital courses.

You can learn from the most incredible and talented leaders in the world at your fingertips. My most recent discovery is Alex Hormozi and he gave a great reminder on how easy it is to get distracted by the 'new thing' rather than doing what you KNOW leads to success. This inspired me to write this post to bring you back to the 'basics' of prospecting.

Do you ever feel like you're constantly chasing new strategies and techniques for business development? You're not alone. In the ever-evolving landscape of professional growth, it's easy to get caught up in the latest trends and shiny objects. However, the path to success in business development often lies in mastering one essential principle – "Doing 'The Thing' Right."

Let's break down this approach and understand why it's so critical for achieving your business goals.

### Stage 1: Doing 'The Thing'

Before you start jumping into various strategies and approaches, you need to identify what 'The Thing' is for your specific business. It could be building a personal and professional brand, perfecting your 'Offer', or establishing a solid referral network. 'The Thing' is the core activity that will make the most significant impact on your business.

For me this year, it is learning to write engaging content and share valuable insights on LinkedIn to engage my network. 'The Thing' could be different for you, depending on your industry and objectives.

### Stage 2: Doing 'The Thing' More

Once you've identified 'The Thing,' it's time to double down on it. Consistency is key. You can't expect immediate results, and it takes time to see the fruits of your labor. Keep doing 'The Thing,' refine your approach, and gather feedback.

In my journey, this means consistently publishing articles on LinkedIn, engaging with my network, and building relationships with referral partners. Over time, these efforts have continued to pay off.

### Stage 3: Doing 'The Thing' Better

As you continue to do 'The Thing,' don't get complacent. Always strive to do it better. Analyze your results, learn from your mistakes, and fine-tune your approach. This stage is about optimization and efficiency. It's where you hone your skills and become an expert in 'The Thing.'

For me, this meant paying attention to which posts resonated most with my audience, refining my writing style, working with coaches and editors and learning from the engagement patterns on my content. Often this stage involves getting help from others to ensure you are doing 'The Thing' RIGHT!

### Adding New 'Things'

Only after you've mastered 'The Thing,' done it consistently, and improved upon it should you consider adding a new strategy to your repertoire. This systematic approach ensures that you build a solid foundation before expanding your efforts.

Recognizing where you are in this development process is crucial. Are you still working on 'The Thing'? Is it time to make sure you have squeezed all of the 'juice' out of 'the Thing'? Or are you ready to level up and add something new to your business development strategy

It's hard to think of business development success is a systematic path. This is not an intuitive skill for many, you aren't born with the ability to sell. It's a learned behavior. Just like you focus on continuing education in your profession, becoming proficient at originating new business is the same. It's about recognizing where you are in developing your skills and understanding what 'Thing' you need to start doing to reach your goals. Don't be lured by every new trend or tactic. Focus on 'The Thing,' and watch as your efforts compound and your success multiplies.

So, what's your 'Thing'? Are you doing it, doing it more, or doing it better? Share your journey in the comments, and let's inspire each other to master our respective 'Things' for success. If the Thing you have recognized you need to focus on is creating predictable, high quality referrals in your prospecting effort, let's connect! You can snag a spot on my calender here.

#BusinessDevelopment #Success #Strategy #ProfessionalGrowth