‘Nuff said! Do you know where you’re going to? Do others in your life know where you are going who can support you and hold you accountable?
Why do we fail to plan? The answer can be found in our Inner Rebel. That rebel does not like to be told what to do, pinned down or held accountable. Anybody with entrepreneurial tendencies wrestles with this character. The antidote is to ask that member of your cast of characters to quietly sit in the corner while the spiritual pragmatist in you creates a plan of action.
The plan is like the root system of a tree. The disciplined structure of the root system holds the tree firm and steady while the tree shakes like heck in a strong wind. PLAN!!! PLAN!!! PLAN!!!
There are multiple ways to plan for a business. I’ve consulted with dozens and dozens of clients and businesses – many have “strategic plans” so lofty that paralysis occurs. The plan sits on a shelf. The trick is to keep it simple. Yes, have a long term view – that is vital. And give yourself a 90 day goal – or three progressive 30 day goals. If you have a long term view that is not broken down into all of its parts, you are looking through a looking glass and simply wishing for the outcome. Move into action that is founded in your goal.
Words to the wise….women business leaders are queens of multi-tasking. Do you understand the consequences of scattered action? And do you know the power of focused intent? The best multi-tasker in the world is likely to get far less accomplished than her sister who is focused on one clear action at a time. To-do lists anyone??
The wonderful thing about a plan that most of us forget – and the challenging part of a plan that some of us get stuck in – is that it is fluid. It can change with more learning and information. Are you someone who sticks with a plan even when new information tells you otherwise? Are you another someone who fails to take concrete action on agreed upon goals because you think things are going to change? The fact is we are building this rocket ship as it is flying. We get where we are going to and we need to move forward in a committed way AND at the same time be willing to shift gears, as needed. Paradox.
- Do you know where you want to go?
- Have you asked the hard questions to understand if this is a worthwhile endeavor?
- Are you clear about your market conditions?
- Do you have a product profit pyramid that focuses you on your highest ticket offerings?
- Do you have a plan that clearly articulates action-based goals and tasks?
- Do you review your plan every week and plan for focused activity each week?
- Are you celebrating the achievement of your goals?
What’s that old adage? Oh Yeah. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”.
To Your Inspired Leadership
Sophia