Better Planning:
7 Steps!
It’s the first week of April. This is the time when most businesses evaluate their first quarter of the year and are looking at the next quarter of the year, planning how they are going to reach their goals by the end of the year.
How are you doing with your goals?
The last week I’ve spent planning my campaigns for the next quarter of the year for Balanced Business Women and see how can I reach and impact as much women as possible and help them in creating the dream life they wish for, both in business and in private life, thus balanced business women…
What I’ve found out through the years is that when things go wrong in your business, you can usually trace their origin to poor planning or to failing to implement an existing plan.
In this article, I’d like to share with you a few tips to help you plan better, and give you an opportunity to share with us your plan for the next quarter of the year… So let’s begin with a few tips for planning:
#1
Force yourself to plan
I know that if I don’t set a time in my agenda for planning, it would never happen. Planning is probably one of the most important tasks that you should have on your agenda. Remember, ‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail’.
#2
Schedule uninterrupted time to do your planning
No matter what type of planning you are doing [yearly, quarterly of even your daily one] set it as an uninterrupted time. Make sure no phones, email or people can disturb you when you are doing that planning.
When doing my daily planning I prefer doing it the night before when I take a few minutes to plan for the next day. It seems that my unconscious mind helps organize and solve issues while I sleep. Otherwise, a few minutes at the start of the day will do.
#3
Do your planning in a quiet place
As I said above, you don’t want anyone to disturb you when you are doing your planning [especially f it is a bigger one than just your daily planning]. Therefore, if you are not sure that you will be able to do it in your office [whether a real office or your home office] leave your office and get away to do your planning in a quiet place where you can think.
#4
Do your planning on paper
I know that most of us have gotten used to ‘write’ on the computer. Handwriting seems like a lost art and has been neglected. However, I found out, that when it comes to planning, the most effective way is to do it on paper.
Two reasons for it:
First, when you do it on paper you don’t get lost on the technical side of it and trying to make it look graphically ‘nice’ but you focus on the main issue which is the results that you wish to achieve and how to get to them. You become more effective and efficient.
Second, we can only work mentally with about seven pieces of information without losing something. So when you do it on paper you are limited to it while on the computer you lose track of things.
#5
Work backwards
Start with where you would like to end up. When planning start with the end date and the result you wish to achieve by then and then break it down by actions and dates to the day you are planning.
For example, If you wish to have your product ready by May 31st, what actions should you do in order to make it happen by that date and when would you do them?
#6
Anticipate possible problems
Make sure to plan preventive actions and contingency plans in important high-risk situations [because of people, resources, or circumstances].
Last and most important…
#7
Write down your planned actions in your agenda
If it’s not in your agenda, you probably won’t do it!
Sharing is caring!
Now I’m curious…
What are your plans for the next quarter? What is on your list?
Share with us down here in the comment box.
Maybe find ways to cooperate and support each other in reaching our goals.
Thank you!
Vered Neta
Trainer, coach and author of ‘Financial Independence for Women’. Helping to create personal, business and financial success. I am the co-founder of Open Circles Academy, and founder of Balanced Business Women. My long term goal is to support women on their path to become conscious millionaires and leaders in their field of expertise. Let’s connect on Facebook or follow me onTwitter.
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