Top 7 tips for Business Planning

"P is for Planning"

If you are like most businesses you are feeling the end of the year crunch. Maybe December is your busy time or possibly you have the kind of business that is slower in December. Either way it is likely that you are having thoughts like "In January I'll do this or next year I'll do that". I used to cringe at that "P" word. Planning sounded boring and made me want to curl up and take a nap because I tend to be an "S" type personality. "S" is for spontaneous. One of my close friends summed it up when she said, "I never know what I will feel like doing until I get there, so how can I plan?"

However, some things require a longer process to manifest and without strategic planning they will never happen.

What has changed for me is seeing the transformative value. I can actually envision what I want now and take solid steps to achieve it. It is exciting and fun to see the process unfold like magic.

I had a client recently tell me that he could come up with some goals but had trouble knowing what steps to take first. Many people get frozen at this point, afraid that the first step they take will be a wrong one and that something bad will happen.

In truth, it matters little what you do first as long as you do something toward your goal. Taking action is always a positive thing.

January is a natural time to begin some new projects or products in your business. The new year can feel like an opportunity for a new start.

Take advantage of this collective energy and go for it. Here are a few guidelines to help your process.

1. Write down something you want to accomplish in 2008.Let go of any judgments about whether you can or not. Just stay with the energy and write it down.
   
   
2. Tell your mentor, mastermind group, or business support
   person.In other words, share this with someone who you trust to listen. It makes it more real when you say it out loud to someone.
   
   
3. Imagine you have done it by the end of 2008. How do you feel? Be aware of the feeling of accomplishment and what thoughts or feelings go with it.
   
   
4. Brainstorm all the things you can do toward this goal. Empty
   your mind of every possibility even if you don't know how. Brainstorming is very powerful as it moves energy and opens up possibilities.
   
   
5. Make a list of people who can offer you support or help in areas you feel stuck. If you don't know how to do something then find someone who does. This is a time to look at your network of people.
   
   
6. Pick the first three things you will do and write them in your
   2008 appointment book. It doesn't matter what you do first as long as you do something. Scheduling in your book makes it real and committed.
   
   
7. Give yourself a big hug. You have begun the process.

Kaya Singer, owner of Awakening Business Solutions helps small business owners move through mental blocks that get in the way of their purpose and prosperity. She publishes a free monthly newsletter aimed at small business success and has free tools and online help on her website; AwakeningBusiness.com. Kaya offers seminars for small business owners, one-on-one sessions and e-book , Spirit of Business.
Next seminar is Creating a Map of Your Business -
http://www.awakeningbusiness.com/business_plan_seminar.html

© Kaya Singer 2007