Get some clarity for 2024

I got an email today from Matt Gray’s newsletter just as I was sitting down to write this email.

It was perfect timing. Even though I had something totally different to write about, this caught my eye.

I’ve got 2024 planning on the brain, so I figured this would be a good exercise as I warm up for that event.

And I’ll take you along with me! 

Matt starts his annual vision board with listing out his values. Which makes sense. Each action should feed into a goal which feeds into your big vision, which is guided by your values. So start at the end.

Here’s mine:

1. Family: Taking care of my wife and 3 kids is top priority. This is my why.

2. Community: Grow my network online and in person.

3. Health: Continue to get stronger and wiser.

4. Wealth: Be financially independent.

5. Freedom: Be my own boss. Work wherever I want.

6. Impact: Make other’s lives better.

Next Matt defines his niche. After clarifying personal values, I can now define how I want to be known and described. 

This is a 3-parter: vision (audacious goal), mission (impact on the world), and niche (who I am and what I provide).

Here is mine:

• Vision: Travel the world with my family while doing work I love. Grow to 10k true fans online.

• Mission: Inspire other online creators and teach optimalism: continuous self-improvement through intention and resilient optimism.

• Niche: Email marketing and newsletters for small businesses.

Nice! I have the big blocks in place. I’ve written out an overview of my assets, differentiation, and strengths. 

Now for the marketing.

I want to outline who I’m impacting, my personal strengths, the channels I’ll be using, and my personal guarantee.

I want to outline a tangible plan for distribution of both my message and offer.

Here it is:

• Target: Small-business owners and online creators

• Uniqueness: Energy, music, fitness, executive experience, fatherhood, and networking

• Process: Email list + X + LinkedIn + YouTube (new channel)

• Guarantee: Always tactical

And that’s it!

You should give this a shot! I’ve found this super useful and it’s helping me shape my direction for next year.

I’ll share my annual planning process next week at some point.

Until next time (Monday since I don’t work on Sundays).

Later nerds,

Swanagan

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