How to Follow Your Dreams

Business consulting strategies

When I was little, I always thought that growing up and following my dreams would be a cake walk. We have always been taught to follow our dreams and to do what makes us happy, but as we get older I’m sure most of us find that it’s easier said than done.

This is a good place to start if you are ready to start following your dreams! Tweak these steps as it relates to you:

Step One: Finding Your Dream

This should go without saying, but in order to follow your dreams, you need to have at least one in mind. If you already have your dream in mind, great! You’re ahead of the game, but if you don’t and are still searching for it, take some time to evaluate yourself. What are your likes and dislikes? What aspects of your personality are strong or weak? What environment do you thrive the most in? At a desk, helping others, outside, etc.? What do you want out of life? Yes, the last question is a huge one, but it’s important to ask yourself. This is your life, so what do you want out of it? Once you explore these questions, and any others that may come up during your brainstorming time, you will be ready to move on to step two.

Step Two: Building Your Foundation

In order to follow one’s dream, one must first build a base for one’s self. Personally, my foundation has been built by arcades, bowling alleys, bars, counseling centers, senior centers, retail stores, and (my personal favorite foundational block) consulting. I have been with IA Business Advisors for three years this summer and although it still hasn’t surpassed my longest held job at a snack bar in a bowling alley, it has taught me the most. You need to evaluate how you have built your foundation and determine if your foundation is ready for you to pursue your dreams. Only you can decide this; no one else can determine this for you.

Please keep in mind that your foundation doesn’t necessarily have to fit perfectly with your dream. My dream is to work in the cosmetic and esthetic realm. Way different from anything I have been doing so far, but I have built a solid foundation for myself. I am now equipped with real life experience from such a wide variety of trades and have learned from so many different individuals in different walks of life. Learning and growing in other areas of life will only help you gain experience and be that much better at whatever your dream may be.

Step Three: Executing Your Dream

Once your dream is found, and you have built a good foundation for yourself, you are ready to figure out how to obtain your dream. Your dream may be small or big, and depending on the extremity of your dream, could take years to achieve. But don’t be discouraged. You have to go for it. Remember that big question you asked yourself earlier? Well now you must give yourself what you want out of life, no matter what it takes. Don’t settle for anything less than your dream. Research how others have obtained your dream, make a plan, and begin executing. Start with small steps and work yourself up.

The most basic plan for following your dreams could look something like this:

1) Go to school to obtain the correct licensing/degrees

2) Try to get into a position where you can learn more about your dream and gain experience.

3) Research. Research. Research. (Most of my job includes research so trust me when I say this is important.)

You may find that your dream evolves and grows as you learn more about the field you have chosen. Let it evolve! It’s okay to let your dream grow! Growing your dream along the way is half the fun. See where it will take you, cause you never know! You may even find one day down the road that your dream has done a complete 180, or maybe you have found a new dream, and that is okay! Just keep pursuing your dreams; always make a plan to achieve your dream, no matter what.

Related: Failure is a Four Letter Word

Life is all about what you make it. Whether you want to write a book or travel the world, figure out how to do that and make money. No, your dream doesn’t HAVE to include you making money, but wouldn’t it be nice to be living your dream and making bank? That is probably the ultimate dream.

What are your dreams? What is your foundation built of? Share with us! We love to hear from you!

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.