By: Hannah Scott
Ever feel like you have powerful ideas but can’t get them into motion? It’s all about going from intention to action because, as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry famously said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
Planning is the cornerstone of success because it sets the roadmap for achievement. It delineates the specific routes and milestones to reach the destination. Meanwhile, intentions serve as the guiding compass, outlining the desired destination.
Cindy Monroe, the visionary founder and CEO of Thirty-One Gifts, champions such a methodology. “Achieving meaningful success starts with two steps: setting your intentions and creating a plan to get there,” says Monroe, recognizing the pivotal role intentions play in achieving success. To help other professionals take their ventures from idea to implementation, Monroe has created a blueprint that she calls the 3 Cs: clarity, casting, and consistency.
Monroe’s philosophy emphasizes that clarity involves deeply understanding one’s goals, values, and the impact one wishes to have. This first step is crucial because it involves self-reflection and honesty about what you truly want to achieve.
In her entrepreneurial journey, Monroe began by gaining clarity around her dream: to create a company that would empower other women.
She then cast that vision with close friends and family, many of whom joined her in her basement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to launch Thirty-One Gifts and help take it from start-up to nearly $800 million in sales within its first ten years.
This process of casting involves sharing your vision with others, not only to gain support but also to refine and strengthen your ideas through feedback and collaboration. Monroe believes that building a community around your vision is essential for momentum.
Over the past 20 years, Monroe has consistently worked to fulfill the vision and achieve the goals that she and her executive team have continually set for the company.
And she has continued to apply the 3 Cs like a flywheel, gaining clarity around operational innovations, adaptations to market fluctuations, navigation of consumer behavioral changes, and more.
Furthermore, this cyclical approach of applying clarity, casting, and consistency nurtures an environment of continuous improvement. It encourages not just the entrepreneur but the entire team to engage in a process of learning, growth, and adaptation. This dynamic environment ensures that the organization remains agile, proactive, and aligned with its core values, even as external conditions change.
Emphasizing the significance of actionable goals within the planning phase, Monroe advises, “Break down your larger vision into achievable steps. This makes the journey less daunting and provides clear markers of progress.”
By doing so, individuals can maintain momentum and remain motivated, even when faced with obstacles.
Consistency, the third C, is about persistent effort and adapting strategies while staying true to the core vision. Monroe underscores the importance of resilience and perseverance, highlighting that success is often a result of ongoing dedication and adaptability in the face of challenges.
As a CEO and entrepreneurial mentor, Monroe also helps leaders distinguish between managing a team and leading an organization. She stresses the need for visionary leadership that aligns with the organization’s values, fostering an environment where individuals are inspired because she acknowledges it’s not just about the work; it’s about what you’re creating on a higher level.
“You deserve to create a long-lasting legacy for you and your family—not just momentary success,” says Monroe.
Monroe’s insight into leadership extends beyond traditional business success; it encompasses a holistic view of success that balances professional achievements with personal fulfillment and societal contribution.
Her approach isn’t confined to business strategies, either. The 3 Cs also apply to personal growth. Monroe encourages intentional living and purpose-driven progress through clarity, casting, and consistency. For more of Monroe’s insights, follow her podcast, Permission to Lead.
Published by: Khy Talara
