9 Dec 2010

How is your 30 year plan looking?

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Michael Hill in Queenstown NZ last weekend, where we were both presenting at a conference. For those who may not be fully aware, Michael Hill is the jewellery retailer with some 250 shops around the world. Michael has built a real dynasty in the past 30 or so years and he is in the midst of an ambitious USA expansion.

Apart from a very inspiring discussion about his early days as a dorky and overly sensitive boy who loved playing violin, to his rise as a leading New Zealand Entrepreneur, Michael shared his own views on success. As always, when someone shares their own story, and it is real, raw and relevant, we all take notice.

THE NEED FOR A 30 YEAR PLAN

Michael was particularly vocal about the need to have a 30 year plan and he attributes much of his considerable success to having his own 30 year plan. This is your own personal plan, not just a business plan. It relates to where do you want to be in 30 years in all aspects of your life. Michael’s reasoning for this is that it gives you a “big picture” to aim for, and regardless of the day to day challenges that we all face, and some of the bigger setbacks that can come our way, our vision is always firmly on the “big picture” goal or goals.

When you sit down and think about it, this can be a daunting thought, imagining what your life will look like in 30 years. So I broke my mental picture into three parts – where my life was 20 years ago, where it is today and where I want to be in 30 years. And I like the feeling that this gives. I certainly don’t feel as concerned about the day to day ups and downs, or even those that are bound to come along in the coming weeks, months or even years, because that big 30 year picture is clear and easy to focus on.

Give it a go – you might be surprised at what it feels like to draw a mental picture of your life in 30 years. These kind of mind expanding exercises are important and I think we need to all spend more time just thinking creatively about our life and where we are heading. Of course thinking alone won’t make it happen, we have to act.

TALK ABOUT MAKING AN IMPACT

Michael brought a 22 carat (yes 22 carat) diamond ring as a very impressive show and tell – and I have to say that was a tough act to follow. It was huge, valued at over $1million and every lady in the room wanted to try it on. There were many collective sighs, commitments to marry Michael (despite the fact that he has been happily married for 45 years) and feelings of inadequacies amongst most of the men in the room.

Michael Hill has written a number of books – I have read two and they are great – Think Big and Think Bigger.

Cheers for now,

Andrew

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