We were in Bozeman, MT for a few days last summer and it coincided with the 20-mile long Bridger Ridge Run. We found out this when hiking the College M, a trail from a small park to the “M,” a letter M about 100 feet long made out of white rocks, about 1,000 feet up a hill, and viewable for miles.
As we started our hike the final runners were coming in, along with event staff sweeping the run. The run itself is an A-B event with 6,500 feet of elevation gain, 9,500 feet of elevation loss, and with most of the run along a ridge over 1.5 miles above sea level (Bozeman is about 5,000 feet above sea level).
One of the sweepers told me it takes two months of work to get all the stops setup, with water, food, first aid supplies, etc. Given the terrain, it means each trip with supplies is anywhere from about four to 20 miles round trip. I can see why it takes two months (given it’s all volunteers).
I’m not a big fan of Tony Robbins*, but all this planning reminded me of something he says, “Most people spend more time planning their vacation than planning their lives.” Or, in my business world, more time than planning their business and especially more than planning their exit.
Too many business owners wake up one day and decide it’s time to sell. Are they maximizing profit? No. Do they have a solid management team? No. Are they coasting along with no growth strategy? Yes! (Do they think any of these things should affect the price? Of course not.)
This is why I wrote If They Can Sell Pet Rocks Why Can’t You Sell Your Business (For What You Want)?
Put in as much time planning your exit, and implementing the plan, than you spend planning your vacations for just one year and you will dramatically increase your chances of exiting with style, grace, and more money. It’s that simple.
* As I said, I’m not a big fan of Tony Robbins, or any of the rah-rah motivational types. However, they can have some good points. Another of Mr. Robbins’ points is, “People won’t change if they think the pain of change is greater than the pain of not changing.” This applies to personal things like relationships, weight loss, etc. and business things like hiring or firing someone, implementing an exit plan, and more.
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all.” J.K. Rowling
