For her birthday, Jacki got a poster of 100 Films to Watch, so we hunkered down, and all watched The Wizard of Oz.

I couldn’t help but think of the symbolism throughout the film (you know me!) …

Dorothy is lost (as many business owners are) …

She ends up in Oz after killing her Demons…

She starts on her journey along the Yellow Brick Road to try and get back home…

Along the way she meets three characters to help her – Courage, Thought and Heart.

In business we need a plan and roadmap – our Yellow Brick Road.

We also need these different character traits because sometimes we lose a bit of courage, we lose a bit of heart as we get fed up and overwhelm can make it hard to think straight.

Dorothy and her friends finally get to Oz, only to find the Great Wizard isn’t who he makes out he is. The people of Oz have got behind an authority figure who’s made a big splash and they’ve believed the hype.

The same goes in business where we’re constantly distracted by all these ‘gurus’ offering us more leads, overnight success, promises of making us millionaires.

Yes, lead gen and marketing are essential, but it’s vital to focus on those key things your business needs right now – defining your terms, your lifestyle, what numbers you need to get you there, the best route to follow…

Like you, I get easily distracted by shiny things, because it’s human nature to do those things we want in business, rather than what the business actually needs.

So don’t just rely on clicking your ruby slippers together, because there are so many basics your business needs right now that will help you get off that hamster wheel, and onto that flywheel.

And it all starts with defining your Yellow Brick Road.

Martin Norbury

Investor | Business Mentor at Advocate | Author of I don’t work Fridays