Planning for Fun, Food & Profit in 2009

December 29, 2008

 

By Beth Mason

All the "Wishing you Happiness and Prosperity in the New Year" from your friends, family and colleges that fills your mailbox at this time of the year is nice but "wishing don't make it so."

 While wishing isn't going to do much to make a happy or prosperous New Year it is important to recognize that envisioning good things and success is critical. Wishing isn't the same as envisioning. Wishing is disempowering; creating clear desired visions is proactive and empowering. Visions help guide our expectations.  And as Abe Lincoln famously noted, we tend to get what we expect.  So, having a clear vision it is one of the many things that you can do to create good things in your life and work. But that is only the beginning. You also have to take action and its best if the action is planned so as to head you in a pre-defined direction.

 

Goal Planning and Action Planning are two of the most important things we can do to have fulfilling lives and successful endeavors.  We know from the 114 (thousand) success oriented books we've read, people with written goals have more successful lives and businesses.  If asked whether or not an action plan is a good idea, we would all answer in the affirmative.  And yet, as we all also know, few have written personal or business goals and most live and work without clear, decisive direction.

When asked who has written goals, there are always a few people who raise their hands. But if examined, most of these "goals" are really just good ideas, well-meaning intentions, vague desires and an array of things we believe we should and ought to do.  And often, these goals are short term targets and aren't focused on achieving higher level visions.  Most of what we call goals lack what is needed to make them compelling and powerful forces that will move us forward so we can experience our full potentials and realize our dreams.. 

When asked who has a business plan, what many are thinking is "Well, I am planning on doing some business." And lately, in today's economy, in some sectors, it is just as likely to hear "Well, we are hoping to do some business."  Planning on doing some business and/or hoping to do some business is not an effective business plan. This is a very reactive way to operate and being reactive is stressful. There is enough stress in out worlds today without adding to it by flying by the seat of our pants without a plan.

 A lot what we call "business plans" are mostly number and dollar excels sheets that reflect targets or tabulate various items; they are not action plans.  A well thought-out business plan is a proactive path designed to help us obtain our goals.  Good business plans define actions and benchmarks that will systematically close the gap between our realities and our goals.

 

Often, goal and business planning is done backwards.  Typically what we do is start with our past history and present situation and then add a little to last year's results and call that our new year's goal. The plan is to count on normal growth or inflation to take us there.  Sound familiar?

Dr. Phil might ask "So, how's this working out for you?" Even better questions might be "How exciting is this?"   "Creating any great energy are you? Stirring any juices? Motivating the tribe to conquer any new worlds lately?" Goals and Plans need to be energizing, motivating and exciting.

Effective goal planning starts with the end in mind and works to define reasonable goals that will move us towards our visions. Effective business planning then sets out to close the gap between the goals that support the visions and the realities of where we are today.  The plans are stepping stones towards the achievement of our dreams, stones that are defined in advance and studied, tabulated and celebrated along the way.

In summary, Goal and Action planning is a process.  Successful planning for our personal lives as well as businesses includes all of the following activities:

Define the Vision

1. List some Goals that support the path toward the Vision
2. Choose the Top Goals that are the Most Exciting & Needed.
3. Define the Goals in terms that are Specific & Measurable
4. Analyze the Current Realities. Internally & Externally 
5. Study all Options for Closing the Gap between the Goals & Reality
6. Define a Plan Details, Actions & Time Frames.
7. Set up Schedules for Evaluation, Adjustments & Accountability.
8. Adjust as necessary...Preferably the Plans not the Goals
9.  Share the Vision, The Goals, The Plans & The Progress with ALL.

Note these items are called activities because they each take study, thought, discussion and decision making steps.  

Number 10 is most important....

Ideally, everyone involved in the execution of the plans and accomplishment of the goals should be involved in all of the other nine activities.  The more involved in the process, the better. More involved parties will create more valuable input to help make the right choices and decision. Involvement also creates buy-in for the defined goals and finalized plans. Buy-in for these and more importantly, internalization of the vision by all. creates commitment and motivation.  Regular feedback to all involved on progress, successes and challenges is also critical to the successful obtainment of benchmarks and goals.

Recognition and reward for successes and goal accomplishment could be listed as number 11.  However, valid recognition and reward is so important that it should be incorporated into daily practices and all scheduled events.

 

So, here's more than wishing you the best in 2009, here's to some serious planning for all the fun, food, and profit you can envision for the New Year and may the habit of planning be with you always.

Beth

If I can be of service to you or your company, in 2009 Please contact me at mailto:Beth@bethmason.com...or visit www.smarttalk.com