Why Developing a Solid Plan of Action is Your Next Best Step

Would you believe that so many businesses operate without a solid plan? There’s no real goal in sight. They’re figuratively floating on the ocean, drifting anywhere without a real reason or plan for destination. This happens more often than we realize. We become swept up in our life and forget to sit down and make plans of action. If you’re going to be successful, your next best step in any area of your career is to make a plan.

Why plan?

There was a point where I wondered if this planning stuff actually worked. Who wants to sit there for hours trying to sort out imaginary numbers about clients and money they’d hope to make. This could be especially challenging when you’re not doing so well, or you’re concerned that you can’t hit the numbers you set. Let me breathe some life into you with this next piece:

It’s all about direction

The goal of planning is to have an idea of who, what, and where you want to be by a certain time. You don’t have to be on the mark all the time, but you need to take aim at a target. Let’s say you serve a diverse client base and you want to increase the number of clients in your classes. It would be wise to specify how many clients you’d like to serve and how you’re going to do it. This gives you direction, motive, and the drive to push toward that goal. Once your mind is set on a goal and you begin moving toward it, you’re likely to achieve something great, even if it’s not the goal.

Shoot for the moon and if you land in the stars, you’re still shining brightly!

Let’s say you wanted to attract 20 new people to your yoga class by the end of this year. Over the course of the next few weeks you want to outline how you’re going to do this and the kinds of people you want to see in your class. I’m not kidding; specify the age, gender, and other demographics of the would-be clients. This gives you direction; like a super powered rocket system, the more information you have the easier it is for you to aim and lift off.

What if I don’t make it?

If you set your goal for 20 new people and only receive 8, the great part is that you increased your numbers. Notice how I never mentioned the negative? Keep it that way. Now, it’s time to set a new goal; adjust your rocket system, take aim again, and lift off. First, feel great about increasing your numbers, then re-focus, gather information and repeat the process. Failure is when you stop trying.

Small victories are still victories. Be grateful because it all adds up.

Be grateful for the little things. The small victories add up over time. Think of a person who’s lost a ton of weight. They didn’t lose it all at once they might have lost 1-3 lbs. weekly but later when they reflect on their journey they realize that all those small victories add up in the end. You have to start small if you want to hit it big and be grateful for the small victories.

Here are a few questions I’d like you to answer by the end of today:

• Do you know how much money you’d like to make in the next year?
• How many clients do you intend to serve by the end of this year?
• When and where will you take your next vacation?

Of all questions I could have asked, I asked you about a vacation. I ask because this is one of the best questions we can answer. When is your next time off? Where will you go? You’re already thinking about it and how you’d achieve it and that’s a great thing. This is the beginning of a new phase of planning for you. Now apply that spirit to other areas of your life and your business, and you’re sure to make big changes.

One of the big questions I often ask is about re-education. You may not have a set goal yet, but let me help by offering these Online Continuing Education (CEC) courses. Could you offer this newfound information to your clients? Of course!

Make A Plan. Take Aim. Sign Up. Lift Off!