Step 1: Where do you want to go?
Imagine yourself in exactly 12 months time. What are you doing? Who are you helping? How many clients are you seeing? How will you feel when you get there. Can you see it clearly? The clearer the picture, the easier it will be to tell when you get there, and also work out what you can do to get you there. Put your vision into something tangible; it may be a vision board, a mind map; yourself speaking on an audio; or a list of things you would like to achieve over the next 12 months.
Step 2: Where are you now?
Before you can make a plan to move you towards your vision, it is important to clarify where it is you are now. How many clients do you have, what income are you generating, what are your current income streams (eg. products, services, workshops etc). It could also be where you are located, and who you are currently working with.
Step 3: Make a S.M.A.R.T list of what needs to be done to get you from where you are now to where you want to be.
Take a sheet of paper and create several columns across it. In each column put a S.M.A.R.T goal. Smart stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely. Smart goals could read like:
-Increase my client base by 10% every month
-Double my average referrals from 3 to 5 per week
-Follow-up new clients within 48 hours of their first appointment
-Write one article per week and submit to 3 websites
Step 4: Create an action plan to achieve each goal
For each of your S.M.A.R.T goals, list the actions to be taken to get you there. For example, if you want to increase your client base by 10% each month you may list things like: initiate a monthly promotion with a joint venture partner; have an article published each month in the local newspaper; devote 2 hours per week on marketing activities; create a referral program for my existing client base, etc. Remember it must by more than intention, it must include action.
Step 5: Evaluate how it’s working for you
Even the best-laid plans can go pear-shaped! As long as you are taking action, you will have the opportunity to review what is working and what isn't. Be prepared to tweak your action plan as you need to. If your activities are costing money, it is important that they are bringing a return. If they are not, you may need to review what you are doing, but not necessarily disregard it completely. This is where the help of a mentor can help, or a group of peers who you can bounce ideas off.
Step 6: Stay focused on your target
Unless you’re actually Robin Hood, it’s going to be impossible to hit your target if you don’t have clearly in your vision. Keep your destination in clear view, plan your route and enjoy the journey as you go. Value your time and use it wisely. Set your intentions at the beginning of your day, and spend your time on activities that move you toward your vision. Remember to also make time for recreation! Ask yourself; are todays actions taking me towards where I want to go? If yes, keep going. If no, refocus.
Step 7: Remember the reason you are doing it
Are you in business because you want to help more people? If you are aiming to increase your client base, but are spending your time studying, then you need really consider what it is you really want? Professional development and learning new things is important, but is it at the expense of your business, and is having a successful business what you want?
All the best for this years (ad)ventures!
Imagine yourself in exactly 12 months time. What are you doing? Who are you helping? How many clients are you seeing? How will you feel when you get there. Can you see it clearly? The clearer the picture, the easier it will be to tell when you get there, and also work out what you can do to get you there. Put your vision into something tangible; it may be a vision board, a mind map; yourself speaking on an audio; or a list of things you would like to achieve over the next 12 months.
Step 2: Where are you now?
Before you can make a plan to move you towards your vision, it is important to clarify where it is you are now. How many clients do you have, what income are you generating, what are your current income streams (eg. products, services, workshops etc). It could also be where you are located, and who you are currently working with.
Step 3: Make a S.M.A.R.T list of what needs to be done to get you from where you are now to where you want to be.
Take a sheet of paper and create several columns across it. In each column put a S.M.A.R.T goal. Smart stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely. Smart goals could read like:
-Increase my client base by 10% every month
-Double my average referrals from 3 to 5 per week
-Follow-up new clients within 48 hours of their first appointment
-Write one article per week and submit to 3 websites
Step 4: Create an action plan to achieve each goal
For each of your S.M.A.R.T goals, list the actions to be taken to get you there. For example, if you want to increase your client base by 10% each month you may list things like: initiate a monthly promotion with a joint venture partner; have an article published each month in the local newspaper; devote 2 hours per week on marketing activities; create a referral program for my existing client base, etc. Remember it must by more than intention, it must include action.
Step 5: Evaluate how it’s working for you
Even the best-laid plans can go pear-shaped! As long as you are taking action, you will have the opportunity to review what is working and what isn't. Be prepared to tweak your action plan as you need to. If your activities are costing money, it is important that they are bringing a return. If they are not, you may need to review what you are doing, but not necessarily disregard it completely. This is where the help of a mentor can help, or a group of peers who you can bounce ideas off.
Step 6: Stay focused on your target
Unless you’re actually Robin Hood, it’s going to be impossible to hit your target if you don’t have clearly in your vision. Keep your destination in clear view, plan your route and enjoy the journey as you go. Value your time and use it wisely. Set your intentions at the beginning of your day, and spend your time on activities that move you toward your vision. Remember to also make time for recreation! Ask yourself; are todays actions taking me towards where I want to go? If yes, keep going. If no, refocus.
Step 7: Remember the reason you are doing it
Are you in business because you want to help more people? If you are aiming to increase your client base, but are spending your time studying, then you need really consider what it is you really want? Professional development and learning new things is important, but is it at the expense of your business, and is having a successful business what you want?
All the best for this years (ad)ventures!
Krishna
1 comment:
Thank you for all the great posts from last year! I look forward to reading your blog, because they are always full of information that I can put to use. Thank you again, and God bless you in 2010.
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