LESSON #13: Getting a Vision for Your Business

By | July 16, 2008

Up until this point, we’ve essentially been covering the requirements and prerequisite knowledge necessary to increase your chances of building a successful online business.

Today marks a turning point.

It’s time to begin focusing on your personal situation, and to turn our attention to your future business…

(Watch this video…)

Join my coaching club

Main points:

  • Without vision, your business probably won’t succeed.

  • I describe vision as being able to “see” a clear picture of your fulfilled goals in your mind.

  • It’s like the box cover of a difficult puzzle…

  • You must begin with the end in mind.

  • Almost every success in my life has come AFTER having a vision for it. (For example, when I won the state championship, and every time I launch a product)

  • The successful business owners that I’ve known ALL have vision.

  • It’s kind of like looking at the world from 30,000 feet. You see the big picture, and not the problems.

  • If you lose sight of your vision, you lose hope. And if you lose hope, it’s game over.

  • As we progress in the lessons, we’ll keep moving forward step by step, but if you don’t start by getting a vision, further efforts could be somewhat futile.

  • If you set your target too low, you may hit it, but there is almost no chance that you will exceed it. On the other hand, if you set your target too high, you may fail, but you will be further along than the “low” target. Therefore it’s better to set your vision higher.

  • One of the biggest things I see holding people back is a “victim mentality”.

  • “Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture. Never think of yourself as failing; never doubt the reality of the mental image. That is most dangerous, for the mind always tries to complete what it pictures. So always picture ‘success’ no matter how badly things seem to be going at the moment.” – Norman Vincent Peale

  • Many of us have taken on a “just get by” mentality.

  • The size of your vision will dictate the size of the result.

  • YOU are valuable. Don’t sell yourself short.

  • Here’s my “disclaimer” that I forgot to include in the video…. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Prov. 16:9)

    Action steps:

    I want you to take a moment to tell me your vision for your business. The vision can involve other areas of your life too, but since we’re working on building your business, it should be focused on your business.

    It’s important to write your vision down, so go ahead and post it in the comments below. This is YOUR vision, and there is NO wrong answer.

    Focus on the big picture. Don’t worry about the details of how you will get there. We’ll worry about that stuff when we learn about goal setting and business plans, and I’ll be talking about those things in the next lesson.

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below.

    Have a great day!

  • 1,837 thoughts on “LESSON #13: Getting a Vision for Your Business

    1. garry

      I have always had a vision and a real feeling that i should be living a better life and that i am destined to live the dream lifestyle. My first phase is to get my online business to the stage that it is bringing in $3500 per month and i am looking to do that within the next 12 months or sooner.
      Within 2 years i want to be bringing in at least $500,000 per year. By that stage i want to be working a couple of hours per day or week. i see myself in a nice large house with 2 – 3 acres of grounds. The most rewarding part of this dream is that i can help to make sure my wife and 2 sons are financially secure for life. I see myself being able to provide my wife with the sort of life she deserves. We have a saying in the UK “if you aim for the ceiling you might hit it, but if you aim for the stars who knows how high you can fly”

      Reply
    2. Richard

      Hi Eric, my vision is to create enough of a successful online business to employ my own kids and theirs. When I go at least I have given them a better future.

      Reply
    3. Gene

      Eric,
      My vision is to help other people get what they want and in return, I would like the pride of owning my own successful online business for financial freedom, but more for the pride of success. I want to accomplish something that few people ever do. I would like to be able to help my community by giving my time and money and still afford the luxuries of life. So far, your classes have increased my hope substantially. Thank you for the valuable information. As Dale Carnegie says, “help enough other people get what they want and eventually you will get what you want”. So far, that seems to be what you are doing.
      Again, Thank You,
      Gene

      Reply
    4. Jessie

      My Vision is to separate my self from my parents in 3 years. Build my own house and have a stable income from the online business that I’ll be nourishing after this course. ^_^

      Reply
    5. norazmi

      Hi Eric. Good one this time. Vision to suceed. I had that since when I don’t know. Still nothing, so, teach me more.

      Reply
    6. Teri

      Hi Eric

      Great lessons, finally someone who makes sense and tells you that it will take hard work and effort to make an online business work.

      My vision is to start affiliate marketing have tryed it a few times but it always confuses me but this time it will work. I will have 2 ebook stores one selling general topics, such as cooking, gardening and other things, the other selling ebooks on alternative therapies, crystals and such like. I will make an income to start with of $6000 a month building up to $1.5 million over 2 years. I will work around my little girl and provide for her university fees and put money away for her so that when she turns 21 she will have something to give a start in life. I will also be able to help my family if they are struggling. I will be debt free and be able to enjoy my little girl growing up, and working on my allotment with my mum and stepdad. I will have a old 4 bedroom house with a big garden for her and the dog to run about in and will take a holiday 3 times a year.

      Reply
    7. Steve

      Eric: Just finished lesson #13. My vision: overall to have online income enough to 1)give God’s love away to others as a gift. I am a marriage and family counselor and would love to offer “almost free” services to couples in crisis.

      Goals: 1-6months= making online income $25/day
      6-12months=$25-50 daily
      1-2 years $100 daily
      2-3 years $150 daily
      quit job at $5k monthly and be debt free in 7 years….Blessings Eric

      Reply
    8. Mark Boucher

      Hi Eric
      My vision is to have enough money to be able to help out my family and friends when they need it. My family comes first befor anything and to be able to say how much money do you need, and when they say. I could use about 3 or 4 thousand dollars and be able to just give it to them Or say to them I’d like to take you all to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras.Anything like that.
      What I’d like to do with my Business is to go Green.To do things to help the planet and to help people find products to do the same. Like building your own Wind Generator or solar panels to power your house. How to make your life more Comfortable without paying the power companies all kinds of money. To actually make money off the power companies by selling the power back to them.
      I’d love to be Rich, but if I can’t be rich. I’d like to be comfortable enough to do what I’ve never been able to do, Which is to be debt free, to buy a nice Car, (cash) to travel anywhere and most of all, To help out my FAMILY.
      Thats it.I don’t think it’s to much to ask for.
      Once Again
      Thank You Eric, for all the great TIPS.
      Mark

      Reply
    9. Alister (UK)

      Hi Eric,
      Thanks for the step by step lessons.
      I am widowed, 67yrs old next month, and still working (self employed woodworker). My vision is to develope an alternative annual income level of £500k per year by October 2012. Also to meet another lady to share this with for the rest of my life. This will also allow me to help family, friends and favorit charities to seriously good effect.

      Reply
    10. Jason

      Well Eric, I am still trying to find myself! I really have gotten a lot out of your lessons to date,and I really look forward to getting more into the meat of this course! My vision is to find myself,plan my business, and above all succeed as a result of your kindness to be willing to teach us all the proper way to start an online business!
      All The Best,
      Jason

      Reply
    11. Abraham

      Thanks for all the lessons Eric! You are really encouraging.

      My vision is to have an online business, and only work on it a few hours a week. I see myself making no less than $1 million a year. I wanna help foundations internationally, for poor people, communities, and even countries. Specifically, I want to help foundations that send missionaries to East Asia or something like that, and organizations that evangelize, or reach the most unreached people. I also want to be able to play a lot of music, and help and support other musicians.

      Thanks for everything.

      Abraham.

      Reply
    12. Abraham

      oh and one thing I forgot… I want to spend A LOT of time with my family, and not worry about debts, or anything like that. Pay my house all at once, my children’s college/university when they get there, but all at once. I don’t want to owe anything to the government or any bank. So that’s about it =)

      Reply
    13. Jody

      My vision is to have an online business which earns over 1.2 million dollars each year. I will start with affiliate programs and then create my own products. I will volunteer my time. I will associate myself with organizations and activities that will improve the world and individuals lives for the better. I will spend a lot of time with my family and travel the world.

      Reply
    14. Charles

      My first goal is to make my first sale within two weeks of starting. Next would be able to average one sale a day until I can generate $3000 a month or $100 a day. I hear the first $1000 is the hardest. My long term goal is to be debt free and get to the point where I have the pleasure of giving at leat 20% to the Lord’s work since I believe everything we have comes from Him. I want this business to support my wife’s amd my passion of antiques. We have an antique store and it has been a labor of love but not the most profitable in this economy.
      I want to be free of the worries of paying bills and the daily expenses of life and to be able to do what I want to do if time and money were no object. Then I can help others achieve their dreams. I’m a firm bneliever in Zig Zigler’s belief that if you help enough other people get what they want out of life you will get what you want.

      Reply
    15. Steve

      To create compounding passive income streams that produce massive amounts of income 24/7. To have an abundance of wealth & become an outstanding investor. To be an enlightened steward of the millions and millions of dollars that will be coming into my life from this day forward. To inspire and teach others how to break through their limitations and achieve their dreams. To build and create a hospice for dogs/animals where their life long gift of unconditional love and affection will be honored and reciprocated during their final journey in life. To create businesses that require very little of my time to run smoothly and make huge profits which will award me the luxury of enjoying my life with my family and friends and truly live!

      Reply
    16. Brenda

      To be debt free and make my life stress free as possible from everydays up and downs. To have a steady flow of income each month would greatly improve my life and my loved ones.

      Reply
    17. Freddie

      My vision for my online business is to be successful and to get a good foundation in Real Estate that will substain my dream of being a Landlord with a heart. I will work from home and will have a business that is on automatic. I will earn $1,000,000/year and will not work more than 40 hour/week. When my earning are twice my salary I will retire from my present job. I will spend more time with my wife, visit with my adult childern and grand childern and take extended vacations.

      Reply
    18. Bob

      Eric,
      I anticipate earning enough capital to keep my wife from doing her 12 hour per day job and pursue her hobby of photography. I want to help my children pay off their school bills and then some. I would also like to help out my sister and brother a little bit(they can still work a little, it won’t hurt them). I have a couple of charities I would like to be able to make a substantial donation to. After that I want to renovate my house a little so I can sell it easily for a small profit. I would look at a lake house that has been a dream of mine for 35 years now. If there was enough to do all that I would trade in my present boat for a larger one that has been out of my reach for the last 30 years of boating. “I’m looking for a 45 footer this time around.” Also in the meantime and later on I would like to be able to pay my own bills(reality sets in).
      Bob

      Reply
    19. Kingsley

      thanks for the tips Eric,thanks for the great great tips.you just spoke to our hearts and our minds- the seat of motivation- and i think i speak for a lot many of your subscribers,YOU SENT THE MESSAGE,YOU MOTIVATED US!
      like you said,SEE THE BIG PICTURE,starting from the end,and the mind will always want to complete the picture it sees. that simply powers my vision even more- to be a success at my wholesome endeavours(online,offline),so that i can REALLY impact positively(more abundantly)on other people’s lives.

      Reply
    20. Trudy

      Hi Eric

      my vision is to run a sucessful online business where I can intially work from home spend time with family and friends, travel the world and see the wonders of the world, eventually I would have a passive incomee where then I can help our comunity build for our new generations to come.

      cheers
      Trudy

      Reply
    21. Linda

      Hi Eric
      My vision is to live financially independent life, earning over a million dollars a year. Whit this independence I would be able to help my family, and my favorite charities; not only financially but with my time as while. The advantage of running my own online business, would allow me the time to do many of the things I could not do before.

      Reply
    22. Brad

      My vision is to have a successful online business with multiple streams of income.I will succeed.To build the foundation of a long term successful online enterprise..To bring my son on board to work with me.To be able to help my parents financially.To take my family on vacations around the world to experience other cultures and sites.To automate the work and job it out as much as possible as to allow more time to enjoy my kids and future grandchildren.To be able to give back to the community and other want to be entrepreneurs as well.To never worry again about finances and live the life we all deserve.To build a multi million dollar a year business online..

      Reply
    23. Rob

      My vision for my Internet business is to provide a platform by which I may become debt free, remained so for the remainder of my life, provide for my needs and my reasonable wants, help others to become debt-free forever, and to help friends, family, and even strangers come to know the love of Jesus Christ. In doing so, I envision making a minimum of $3 million per year most of which will be used for His word to be known to the nations.

      Reply
    24. Graham

      My vision is to expand my online busines focusing on technologie that benefit the environment.I will do this becuse I enjoy it and can use my skills & qulifications in this area. I want to achive a level of assets of 8 million dollars so I can finish putting my daughters through school & leave them something to continue their lives.

      Reply
    25. Casey Peacock

      “Begin With The End In Mind”

      I have often thought about what the end of my masterpiece might look like, but, it seems like it does all too often get lost in the jungle of obstacles. Here it is. I’ve found in over the last year or so that I’m passionate about affiliate marketing. Why? Because I KNOW I can earn a really good living at it and ultimately be in a position to spend more time with my family. And I already am earning some money online as an affiliate marketer and entrepreneur. For example, last week I sold a domain name for $945. That did not happen overnight. I purchased it 9 years ago for a previous business that I owned. But I had the foresight to maintain the domain name even though I no longer had the business. And you might be wondering what that domain name is… http://peacockpainting.com ). As you can see, these people really had a need for it and I didn’t even have a site connected up to it. Also a word of advice from me… if you can get your own name with the .com extension, GET IT! Why? Because chances are there is someone else that has your name as well. I know from doing a little online digging around that there are quite a few Casey Peacock’s in our country, but, who owns http://caseypeacock.com )? You guessed it… yours truly,

      -Casey Peacock
      FREE Cash Plan When You Sign Up To My AffiliReview Newsletter here: http://affilireview.com ).

      Reply
    26. Ruth

      HI, ERIC,THANK YOU A LOT.,
      My BIG vision is, travel whole world and beautiful sights while my online business brings in an average of one million dollars a year. After reach this freedom ,I would like to be debt free and stress free.
      Come up and tweet me, make me smile 🙂
      => http://twitter.com/pjkinder

      Reply
    27. Jan

      My vision is to be financially free and with a regular income of $20,000:00 per month. I want to write and share my life experiences with people who may need to hear what doesn’t work as well as what has worked for me. I want to not have to worry about anything except what I’m going to write about next.

      I want to stay healthy and have the discipline required to do so.

      I want my online businesses to be content rich sources of timeless information about health, wealth, relationships, sciencetific innovations and ‘feel good’ advice and products.

      Jan

      Reply
    28. Kerron

      My Vision is to become a wealthy internet marketer, true dedication, commitment an a desire to want better for myself an my family an to know that i can make a positive impact on a persons life. I would like to know that when ppl visit my websites to buy or review a product they will be happy with the information an service provided. And finally i want to know i can afford a 1960’s Dodge Charger fully restored with a kick ass engine 🙂

      Reply
    29. Butch

      Hi Eric,
      I set my goal to have my first Affiliate Marketing website up and going before the 21st Sept. 2009. This has been achieved. I will get another 9 websites up and going before end of July next year.The other part of my vision is to be earning R30000-00 per month by May 2010 when I will resign from my present work.
      Regards Butch

      Reply
    30. Pamela

      My vision is to become a Qigong healer. Healer’s pay is the satisfaction of helping others to heal themselves. So I need a means of taking care of my family and getting rid of my debts! I have been trying to get a grip on internet marketing for four months now. And have known that regardless of the systems I have purchased and wrestled to understand, something infintely important was missing. You have my heartfelt thanks for undertaking to “share your wealth of knowledge.” Truthfully, I was just about ready to give up and let go of the vision when you invited me to subscribe. So I know the vision is true and I am finally on course. You have my heartfelt thanks!

      Reply
    31. fraser

      My vision is to be debt free and to provide for my whole extended family and share my success with others doing seminars and lectures to help improve the lives of everyone I meet.I want to be successful and this will be measured by being able to spend more time with my wife helping her quit her day job, taking her on great vacations, firstly to Disney Florida in the next 6 months.

      Reply
    32. Robbo

      My vision is obviously ‘checks’ in the mail.
      However, there is something at work here and I have a sense that financial freedom is a pre-cursor to discovering far more rewarding visions of which have little or no monetary value.
      That vision, I haven’t seen.

      Reply
    33. Julie

      You know everywhere I go I see opportunity and possibilities. I have a big vision and it keeps growing – to get what I know out there, to get out of debt and money issues, to employ others and benefit their families and to really help others all over the world.

      Reply
    34. Gord

      I want to move to my dream spot, a smallish place by a creek in the foothills,overlooking the Rockies,with enough land to support my horses and a few cattle,log house, big veranda,you get the picture! I, need enough money coming in to support my other passions as well-$15,000-$20,000/mo would be realistic

      Reply
    35. Deborah

      Hi Eric
      I am a newbie thanking God that I found your website. My vision is to provide for my family a income of 5,000 to 10,000 per month. I love making dvds of people’s special moments in their lives. I like editing, adding music, doing the effects, just everything that goes along with making beautiful keepsakes! I’ve been in manufacturing for years so my friends and I have been going through layoffs for years now. So if I could find a way to make money on line I would share it with my friends so that they would see that there is hope out there.

      Reply
    36. Liz

      Hi Eric
      I want to set-up a successful on line business that will generate mutiple streams of income while promoting my desk-top/bookkeeping business.

      My goal is to be debt free within the next 24 months. I have a passion for young people and the desire to see them reach their full potential. With this in mind the income I would generate would be used to educate them to opportunities that may be available through preparation, dedication, travel and new experiences.

      Reply
    37. Jonathan

      Hello
      My vision is leaving my family on the beach in Hawai for a couple of hours while I go back to the hotel to do a few hours work on my laptop dealing with my online business. I chat with someone using back in the uk who is managing my several income streams. I deal with a few problems then go back to the beach and go snorkeling with my little girl.

      Reply
    38. Jerry

      Eric,

      My vision to to have a successful online business that will generate enough money not only for my new wife and I to buy a home, have the money to eat-out when we want, rent or even buy a condo at the beach near us, take vacations when we desire, but that will also let me be able to put money into my surrounding community for the betterment of it. A few extra dollars to make ends meet would be nice right now but that is not my big picture. My big picture is to be able to help others through my giving and support.

      Jerry

      Reply
    39. MIKE

      My vision is to have a family and be a great husband and father. My vision in business is to build wealth and make at least $500,000 in the next year. I am very interested in wellness both physically and mentally. I would like to multiple online sites that would include educational sites, affiliate sites, motivational sites, membership sites, and many more. I love traveling and would like to visit Europe and Africa. I want to grow spiritually and stay grounded in the process and help others along the way. I know it will be a challenge but I am ready and excited to take it on.

      Reply
    40. Jerry

      Hi Eric,

      My vision is to have a successful online business that will equal my retirement pay. I’m a retired Fire Chief and now working for K-Mart which does not equal my retirement pay.

      Jerry

      Reply
    41. Gary Botha

      Good afternoon Eric, first off thanx so far for the great advice. My vision as a cancer survivor is to establish my online business to the point where I will be able to donate three million rand (South African = 500,000 US) and earn the equivelant for myself. I currently donate half of my profits to Cancer Research Soth Africa through the direct sales of my product, however online is definately the way forwards. Cheers for now.

      Reply
    42. Karen C Groves

      My vision is for my business to help thousands of people in dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. This will also lead to other lines of income and other areas where thousands will benefit. I will work from home and work less than 40 hours per week. My business will bring in $500,000+ per year and allow me to be financially free. It will also allow me to work only 3 weeks each month. One week will be for rest and recreation. My business will also allow me to establish a foundation to provide aid to battered women. And it will also allow me to purchase my first horse and to consider the actuality of raising horses, a dream I have had since I was 16 years old.

      Reply
    43. Darrell Hislope

      My vision is to not only become debt free but also help out my entire family (in-laws included). My wife has always said I’m a dreamer… Well it’s time to make those dreams realities. Thank you I truly believe this is Gods way of answering my prayers.

      Reply
    44. Aini

      My vision is to make $200.000.00 next year, than more and more that I can go to help orphansin Indonesia, China, India and Africa. Thanks Eric.

      Reply
    45. Chidi

      My main goal is to be happy and run several successful businesses that would do that for me and help others do the same.

      My main business vision is uplift my Fragrance Company which i love but it needs help both online and offline.

      Secondly to preserve my father’s good name( He did a lot of charity and community work worldwide before he passed away 1st august 2009)by building a online foundation in his name.

      Along with other stepping stone businesses that should make me millions,which i’m looking forward to…lol

      Thank you so much for opening my horizons.

      Your Great!!!!

      Reply
    46. Loran Able

      My Vision
      I no longer have to work as I earn $1.2 million plus every year via 2 income streams. 1. Affiliate marketing, 2. Forex.
      I have sold my online web business for $7million which enabled me to buy the property I have wanted to live in for 10years.
      I NOW live between my 2 homes, my unit in Surry Hills, Sydney and my home on Pittwater in Palm Beach Sydney.
      I have time to nurture my creative side to paint, knit and photography. I have time to keep fit, socialize and contribute in time and money to my chosen charities.
      I have quality time to spend my husband, family and my toy poodles. I travel with my husband, friends and family.
      SO BE IT.

      Reply
    47. Jane

      I envision my internet business to be a business that provides a product or service that people really need and want. I see myself helping people find these products and/or services and receiving large paychecks in return for my efforts. I see me continuing to grow my business as I develop my skills and knowledge of the internet business world

      Reply
    48. Anonymous

      My vision is to generate a passive income of $250,000 a year. I envision taking my family for holiday travels every year to exotic places without need to budget each travel. With adequate passive income, I can devote more time to my family and society and pursue my own interest. I would also follow your footstep to mentor more like-minded people to succeed in gaining financial freedom. This would be my commitment to pay forward.

      Bert

      Reply
    49. ronnie

      my vision is to have a successful online business centered around selling a service to try bring people together.Working from home so i can have a more social life earning £500,000 a year.

      Reply
    50. Freda

      Hi Eric, really enjoy your lessons. My vision is to have a successful online business with a successful outside business. I love being around people. I would like to be a millionare in a year, but I am also realistic. I would like to work from home and earn enough money to travel anywhere in the world.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    The maximum upload file size: 50 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here