What’s Your Plan?

Every year people make New Year’s Resolutions, or establish goals that they would like to accomplish during the coming year. Decisions to lose weight, begin a new business, make more money or start a new hobby are commonly made every year. Often these goals are set or reset by the same people year after year. This leads me to the following questions.

  • What went wrong?
  • Why did it fail?
  • How can I succeed this year?

There are always reasons, or should I say excuses, that can be given as to the lack of success or the failure to meet goals. But I believe the significant answer to all three of these questions is what I call “the plan.” There has to be a plan. When a goal is set, no matter how small, there has to be an action plan. To be successful this action plan must include the systems and processes that must be put into place and then followed  to create the changes necessary to achieve the desired goal. To lose weight there has to be a change in eating habits and the addition of some type of exercise program among other things. A new hobby may require a scheduling system to allow time to participate or even a significant cash outlay. (golf clubs, lessons, green fees can become pricey) Whereas, walking or jogging may not require the high price of equipment (beyond good shoes) but only the time commitment and the will to participate on a regular basis. The action plan does not have to be so elaborate, just a simple process that makes Common Sense and that can be easily accomplished.

Have you set goals for your business this year? If so, do you have “the plan” for each and every goal? There can be multiple plans including a business plan, a marketing plan, an advertising plan, day-to-day business operations plans that include all of the systems and processes that will allow your goal to be achieved. Starting a new or growing an existing business endeavor can be exciting and rewarding, but if you have not developed and are not following the plan, you are setting yourself up for a lot of disappointment.

Many find that developing plans can be a daunting task. This often leads to not planning properly or not planning at all. Remember in a previous lesson, we learned about asking for HELP!  Maybe this should be considered. There are skilled and experienced mentors, advisers, coaches and teachers who specialize in “plan” development and personal growth and are there to help business owners large and small. Just like golf professionals, personal trainers, and nutritionists, business teachers and coaches are available to help you grow your business and reach those goals and resolutions, so you do not have to start all over next New Year’s Eve.

Happy New Year!