3 Tips to make your Business Prosper
As a child, I loved the story of the Wizard of Oz. The vibrant colours, beautiful songs and interesting characters were more than enough to totally transfix any child.
It wasn’t till recently that I understood the message the writer was trying to convey (well at least I believe that’s what L. Frank Baum might have been trying to impart).
In case you’ve been hiding under a rock for decades, or you are of the digital age and prefer YouTube vlogs to classic movies, the Wizard of Oz tells the story of a girl called Dorothy that gets swept up in a tornado in her Kansas hometown, only to wind up magically transported to a place called Oz.
To get back home, she must find the Wizard by following the yellow brick road. She goes off on her adventure and acquires 3 friends on the way- a Lion, a Scarecrow, and a Tinman.
When I read the story to my kids now, I see so much more than when it was read to me by my parents. Now, the Wizard is Dorothy’s Big Agenda (in coaching speak this is her ultimate Goal). She needs him to get what she wants more than anything – to go home. For us, our big agenda could be our dream house, that wonderful family, a thriving & profitable business, fantastic health. Whatever you most want right now.
But to get to him, she must travel the yellow brick road and all the perils along the way. This is the Challenge. Whoever said life was easy lied. We’re in a constant fight and this is a battle you must win. It doesn’t have to be unpleasant but it will challenge you (if you’re doing it right) and it will be scary sometimes. So, stop playing small! If you’re going to have to play the game anyway, you might as well make sure the payoff is worth it.
On the road, she encounters several characters – good and bad. She fights off the bad – the flying monkeys and witches. For us, this could be setbacks, disappointments, failures, betrayals. We will undoubtedly encounter all these things as we try to reach what we want.
But she also gathered up the good in her journey – the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man. At first, they aren’t much to look at. The Lion is the biggest wimp you ever met as he has no courage. The Scarecrow hasn’t got a brain and spends the whole-time naysaying. And the Tin Man doesn’t have a heart and can’t feel.
As they continue their journey, the motley crew find all their missing elements and are made whole.
The way I have come to see it, Dorothy in her quest to get what she wanted, had to acquire these 3 things for herself:
- a Thinking (Strategic) Brain
- Courage, and
- a Heart i.e. Emotional Intelligence
When you think about it, we need these things to have success more often and achieve our goals.
Also, it’s important to note that she didn’t have these things at the beginning. All of them were acquired when she was already ON the journey. This speaks to not waiting for things to be perfect, but to take a chance now and follow your vision!
So, I want to wish you a prosperous week/month/year in your business. Don’t let fear hold you back!
Gather up your courage, be strategic and focused in your thinking, and learn how to connect effectively and authentically with those around you. It will bring you the riches you dream of.
Follow your yellow brick road.
I would love to hear your top tips for how to make your business more prosperous. Comment below and help someone else on their journey. If you have found this post helpful, please ‘like’ it and share it with someone else. Until next time, keep living your purpose passionately.
Uzo x
Uzo Ijewere is a Business Strategy & Emotional Intelligence Coach. She runs Augment Business Coaching, and helps entrepreneurs align their vision with strategy, grow their businesses, and become more profitable. Her purpose is to help entrepreneurs and small business owners build thriving businesses, and corporates to adopt head and heart strategies in the workplace.
