Lesson #2: Set Your Course

During the first part of my career, I was part of a family landscape business with my brothers. One of my jobs was mowing lawns as part of the maintenance crew. Whether we were on a riding mower for the bigger yards, or a 21’ push mower, the goal was always the same; make it look great with beautiful “striping”. Striping is the crisscrossing of straight lines that create a beautiful pattern on the lawn. One week you mow in one direction, and then in another direction the next week. My wife still laughs at me today when I point out great striping on a ball field or yard.

Part of achieving great striping is setting a course on the horizon, or opposite side of the yard, and cutting a straight path by keeping your eyes on the course you’ve selected. By setting the course and keeping your eyes on that point on the horizon, you’re able to make your first cut down the middle of the lawn straight.

It’s no different than your business. Have you set a straight course that you can see on the horizon?

This book is not a goal setting book. There are a plenty of those. However, setting a clear course on the horizon is a must when it comes to marketing your business.

Unless you have a dream, knowing how to build or marketing a business isn’t even important. A goal or dream is something you just “have to” have.