Have you set your 2022 Business Goals?
Welcome Fall! It’s my most favorite time of the year. Not just because of the chill in the air, the leaves changing colors, or my love of Halloween. It is because of it being harvest season. To me, there is no sweeter smell than that of harvest. I recall the cool nights growing up with the windows open and the lull of grain dryers putting me to sleep each night.
With respect to the business of farming, I called this the time and smell MONEY. All the seeds planted, fertilized, felt the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the rain were ready to be converted into CASH. And as soon as it was completed, the next year’s planning would begin.
As Business Owners, we are all “farmers”. We plant seeds by networking with others, we fertilize through building relationships, we harvest when we generate new clients/customers, and then the planning begins again. You’ve most likely heard this analogy before, right? But that last piece about beginning next year’s planning is critical to the success of all those other steps.
We are quickly approaching the beginning of the fourth quarter. As we prepare for a strong ending of this year, we must also make time to develop next year’s plan for a successful 2022. This is strategic planning. Don’t get frightened by this fancy terminology—its only goals, actions, tasks and timeframes. I’ve nicknamed it the “secret sauce” for success.
My most successful clients are those who have created a One Page Strategic Plan every year and update it quarterly.These clients have told me it forces them to take the time to think, then document the steps to achieve what they want from the business. It’s not just writing goals on a piece of paper or a whiteboard. You know what most likely happens if you do this? You will keep looking at them periodically or you will lose the paper, but no ACTION will likely be taken.
When Business Owners make a commitment to incorporate future business planning, things start to fall in place and the MAGIC starts to happen. Business Owners should not be skeptical; they should not be afraid of setting business goals for there is no reason not to, and there are no downsides.
As you set goals, the following occurs:
- You clearly identify your business objectives.
- You determine which steps need to be taken to achieve your goals.
- You take actionable steps, which bring you one step closer to success.
- You stop wasting time on ineffective tasks and instead shift your focus on productive actions which bring you closer to your short- and long-term goals.
- Your self-confidence grows with each completed step and so does your team’s confidence.
- Upon having laser-focus and taking strategic steps, you ultimately reach you goals and set the bar higher for even greater success.
- You gain momentum as you get closer and closer to your goals.
P.S. Not sure how to even get started with crafting a One Page Strategic Plan? You’re in luck. That’s how I help. When you’re ready to get the conversation started, simply schedule a meeting with me by clicking on this link: https://calendly.com/tapedigo/60min and we’ll take it from there.