This time last week I was in London having meetings with a guy who’s fast becoming a good friend. I’ll be working closely with him in 2013, and I hope for a long time after. He’s one of those exciting chaps who oozes confidence and ideas and go-getting vibes.

He doesn’t have all the answers though, and what’s really refreshing is that he admits it. He does’t mind if people speak their mind, introduces him to new things, and says how it is. This is good because it’s all I know.

Some people HATE it, but luckily he isn’t one of them.

Finding The Initial Story

Life is one giant story. I’m fast realising this. Whether I’m looking at Fiction, Non-Fiction, Speaking, or Consulting an individual… a business… a startup… or whoever else… I approach it in the same manner. I’ve always done this, but it’s only recently that It’s begun to make sense.

I want to know how the idea began and how it has lead to right here, right now.

This is what my time in London was all about. It was about unearthing why his idea began, what it was about, why it was important, and what has changed since. He knew all the answers, after all, it was he who lived it. There was nothing new that hadn’t previously been shared, but for the first time I pushed him. I wanted him to REALLY think about the journey he’s been leading.

His eyes told the story. Mini epiphanies were colliding and forming every instant. It was lovely to see.

We Have The Answers… Kind Of

I offer little in terms of solutions in meetings like this. I don’t have to. The person I’m chatting to has the answer, they just don’t necessarily know it.

From where his idea began (about four years ago) to where it is now is quite the interesting journey. He didn’t think things had changed a great deal, but they had. Not the big, glaring aspects like the product and brand and other such on-the-surface things; rather the details. Those pesky things that live under the surface.

Mainly, the feelings and belief and reason for doing. His mindset was changing, or as I like put it, evolving all of the time. It was taking him down a better path. It was edging him, and with it, his business, down a road that was far better.

Where Are You Right Now?

It’s hard to appreciate where you are if you don’t where you’ve come from.

It’s difficult to get where you’re going if you don’t know where you are.

It’s impossible to find the finish line if you don’t know what it looks like.

Quite simply this is the beginning, middle, and end of your story. As you probably know, all stories need these three simple elements.

In this meeting I was able to piece together where he had come from, where we currently are, and where we need to be. Like I say though, his eyes were telling me that he was doing it all by himself. He was answering questions he hadn’t asked before, and as such seeing his world in a new light.

Start Asking Questions

This is what I urge you to do. You know your business or idea or whatever else it may be better than anyone. You have the answers, but this is worthless unless you’re asking the right questions.

The issue most people have is that they are too close to the things they create. You need fresh eyes to see the flaws in your plan and how things can be improved. Asking other people helps, but sometimes you can do it on your own. Ask yourself:

• Why did you begin your journey in the first place?
• What did you hope to achieve back then?
• Where are you now?
• Have things changed?
• If so, why?
• If not, why?

By taking a step back and asking such questions you open up your world. It can help you see where you are, where you have come from, and where you need to go. This is your story, and if you start piecing together your story everything else makes sense.

You can improve your message, communicate it better, and understand your customer in a way that is far more effective. In other words, the world is at your beckoning 🙂

Have you had one of these momentary epiphanies?

Share it below and give us an insight into your world

Turndog Millionaire – @turndog_million