I have a somewhat unconventional answer to that question.’

First, let?s lay a little groundwork for this discussion.Z

Most business ?shortcuts? are tactics. Things like ?post every day on social media? or ?here?s a great example of a referral email?. Tactics are GREAT, but they are limited in scope. Because if you?re looking for something with long-term, lasting impact, a quick fix won?t do it.

So what ARE the business shortcuts?

Think about the analogy of building a house. What?s the shortcut for building a house? (If you?ve ever built one, this will be a particularly painful analogy.)

Tactics are things like ?here?s how to drive in a nail faster?, or ?here?s a quick way to get your 2×4 lumber?.

But what if you?re driving in nails, but building the wall wrong? What if you get the lumber, but it?s the wrong length?

Here?s the truth: Most business shortcuts give you faster ways to make mistakes, not a faster path to where you want to go.

Have you ever heard ?measure twice, cut once?? It?s a saying to encourage you to take the prep time you need so you don?t waste more time later, or materials.

Business is the same way. So here are the true shortcuts:

1) Make sure you have a solid foundation.

This means that you must have a rockstar brand (especially if you want to expand online), and the right offers to monetize your business. If your message isn?t clear, and your offers aren?t priced right, you?ll struggle no matter how many tactics you employ. Question to ask: Do I have a crystal-clear brand, marketing message, and the right offers at the right price? How can I be sure?

2) Be willing to spend more time than you want to, getting good at the things you need to learn.

Most entrepreneurs aren?t great at marketing and sales. While you may someday get marketing and sales support, or hire someone, being at least ?good? at marketing and sales is a non-negotiable. Question to ask: Am I spending time learning the strategies that will move my business forward?

3) Set your expectations that this may be a harder journey than you thought.

I love this quote from my colleague Gene Monterastelli:?
Your Satisfaction = Your Outcome, Divided by Your Expectations.

If you?re expecting easy, things will actually feel harder. I?m not suggesting that?you set yourself up with negativity, but that you consider the possibility that there will be unforeseen obstacles, and that?s part of the deal. (No parent – hopefully – goes into parenting saying ?MY child will be the one who sleeps through the night at 2 weeks old, skips the terrible twos, and never has teenage angst?? That?s just a set-up for disappointment.) In this case, it?s not so much about shortening the path, and about making the path seem shorter because of more realistic expectations.

Question to ask: What are my expectations, and are they setting me up for long-term satisfaction?

4) Resolve that you will need help, and get experienced help along the way.

Just as you might get a teacher or coach for a sport, or a musical instrument, getting experienced help is the closest thing to a shortcut that there is. It doesn?t mean that you?ll make no mistakes, any more than having a music teacher means that every musical performance is note-perfect, or having a martial arts instructor means that you win every competition.

But learning to run a business is not a DIY operation. Getting a plan, and continued guidance IS one thing that doesn?t just change your perception of the path, it can shortcut your path to success.

Question to ask: Do I have the experienced help I need, or where can I get it?

Want help with YOUR shortcut? Get a ticket to my 3-day live event Transform: Tapping into Wealth and Business Mastery here!