There are three books I want to share with you if you are a small business owner. These books inspired me when I was thinking about future goals and dreams for my business. 

1. Visioneering: Your Guide for Discovering and Maintaining Personal Vision by Andy Stanley 
2. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller 
3. Ready to Rise: Own Your Voice, Gather Your Community, Step Into Your Influence by Jo Saxton

VISIONEERING

In Visioneering, Stanley states: "Vision usually precedes just about everything necessary to bring it into the sphere of reality." 

Incorporating a vision strategy has been crucial for me in my business. When we have vision, it helps declare a clear purpose and direction. It assists in goal setting. Vision is important on the hard days when things don't go as planned. It helps me display confidence in my messaging.

This book guided me to start thinking through my dreams. It helped me picture the vision I had for myself and for my business. It propelled me to take bold steps toward my goals instead of remaining stagnant - sitting back and watching days go by without moving forward. 

BUILDING A STORYBRAND

Donald Miller shares in his book, Building a StoryBrand, "Here is nearly every story you see or hear in a nutshell: A CHARACTER who wants something encounters a PROBLEM before they can get it. At the peak of their despair, a GUIDE, steps into their lives, gives them a PLAN, and CALLS THEM TO ACTION." 

This book challenged me to think about my messaging. I needed to make sure I was being clear in my messaging. I was able to see that frequently in my marketing, I was turned inward and allowed myself to look like the hero. Instead, the focus needed to be on my client and the people I was serving. I was highlighting myself and not them.

This book shed so much light for me on the importance of being a guide for others. I am not the hero in the story I'm telling. My clients are the heroes. I'm simply a guide walking alongside them as they move from the beginning of the race to the finish line. Miller also states, "Nobody remembers a company that makes noise." I want to make a lasting impact on the individual and broadcast their success and their triumphs.

READY TO RISE

According to Jo Saxton, in her book, Ready To Rise, "When we use our voices, our influence, when we show up in our own lives and callings, others are strengthened, invited, and empowered to do the same."

We have all been given a voice. Every person is given different talents and abilities. We all have influence in some capacity. How are we using that influence and voice in our own lives? I lived so much of my life afraid to use my voice. I was afraid to step into the places where I felt like I was being led. I always felt the need to apologize for the ways I did something instead of just acknowledging that the Lord has made me on purpose and for a purpose.

This book encouraged me to keep stepping into my business with confidence. I must be bold and confident in the gifts I have been given. Because when I do that, I'm empowering others to do the same! We need to spread that light across the street and in our communities. Shine bright with the gifts you’ve been given so you can share that light with someone who needs it. Perhaps they have a dream in their heart that hasn’t been verbalized. With your help, they can live their dream.