Planning For Success.

When you start a business you write a business plan. Why would you not have one for your daily life?

This is a simple idea that will help you as you move into the new year. It's an exercise we often suggest our clients try to get into the habit of doing. Start the year with a plan. Ask yourself, 'What do I want to accomplish this year?'

Now, this is the important part. Write it down. Yes, actually put pen to paper and then start to develop the idea a little further.  What do you need to do to get to that goal? Are there any special tools you require? Do you need to enlist the help of anyone? Do you need to upgrade your skills to make the goal attainable? Can anyone help? Are you being realistic, and if not what can you do to set meaningful goals.

In the coming year, setting out a plan, scheduling ahead to be sure you hit certain deadlines, and most of all enlisting the help of stakeholders and friends, are all components of building this plan. Make it into a project, even build a presentation - to present to yourself. Each bit of detail you create makes it more attainable. The success of the plan will lie in the detail, so start big but progress down to the minutest of details if you can.

Don't expect this exercise to take 5 minutes. Set aside some time to work on this project. Forty five minutes a day for about three or four days would be reasonable. If you want to make it a family exercise even better.  Training your children to get into this habit may be one of the best gifts you ever give them.

Review your plan once a quarter. Don't expect it to be 100% smooth sailing.  Most plans require adjustment as they progress. You may even find your goal changes quite radically. But it all starts with a vision and a plan. And this is the best time of year to do it.

Rob Hadley
Vancouver

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