Television producer Brian Campbell once told me “When preparation meets opportunity … success will follow”. I’ve always been an “All or Nothing” kinda guy so over preparing is the norm for me. For example, twice a year I update my business plan. For some people that is something they may do every few years because the plan they have is working for them.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to do what I love for a living so I am very protective of it. I don’t want to just make money, I’ve had money, money didn’t make me happy. My business plan reflects the steps I want to take to keep what I do for a living to never feel like I’m working. The Chinese philosopher Confucius said ““Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
My 2013 business plan started out with 22 points of focus for the year. I added six more at the halfway point and removed 4 from the original list. By the end of the year I felt that I was a lot more focused on what was important to me. It also gave me more free time to try a few things out to see if it was a good fit for the business.
Looking at the full 28 items on the list 8 of them I accomplished, 7 items I didn’t start or failed to complete, 4 items that were totally removed and 9 still need work. Of the 9 that need work, I plan on changing some of them so much that I might consider them a new add for 2014. You may say that 8 completed items out of 28 is a failure, but how many would I have done if I never wrote anything down in the first place?
How many that need work would never have been started? The ones that I didn’t accomplish … did I fail to complete them or did I figure out that accomplishing it wasn’t all that important in the first place? Not to mention that there were 2 other things that were never on the list that were huge successes and will be a big part of 2014’s plan
Keep in mind that my business plan is not the average business plan. This is made clear by the fact that 95% of everything on my list is NOT money related. I’m not saying money isn’t important but if it’s your main focus then money is why you are working. Don’t make your goals about how much money you can make or paying bills, make it about life. Use the “What, Why, How” method. 1. What are my goals? 2. Why do I want to accomplish them? 3. How do I accomplish them?
What – Make your goals about things that excite you. What is a “core value” to you? Make it about something you would consider important if your bills were already paid. Chances are that those goals will not only make a positive difference in your life but also to anyone who is near you. Some goals may stretch you, make you think or even take you to a place that is brand new. Would you still be excited about it even it you don’t accomplish it? If not, maybe you should rethink that goal.
Why – Once you figured out your goals then ask yourself “why is this important to me?” Write down 10 reasons why you want something. Is it a goal that you have always dreamed of or is it just something you wondered about. If you have always dreamed of it, is it something you want now or just a “what if”?
Many times the reason why is more important that the what. Sometimes just checking something off your “bucket list” can motivate you to keep going when you feel like giving up. I once heard someone say “The deeper the reasons you want to do something, the easier the “how” becomes”
How – Oh boy, here comes the part no one likes. This may be the scary part of your business plan. How far are you willing to go to accomplish your goals? How many things are you willing to give up to make it happen? If I can’t do it on my own, how can I do it? Be ambitious but be realistic and most importantly leave room for the unexpected.
Remember two of my biggest accomplishments last year were not on the list at all. Think of it this way … if you do one thing a week towards four of your goals that will be 208 steps in the right direction. I’m gonna bet that is more than most people you know.
Don’t be overwhelmed by everything on your list. Remember I only completed 8 out of 28 of my goals but It was a VERY fulfilling and successful year. I made more money than my minimum goal, (bills paid and money saved), I had lots of free time (sun and fun) and was even able to do some volunteer work I always wanted to do (the greatest nation is donation).
If a project doesn’t work out or you bit off more than you can chew, don’t be afraid to drop it or put it on the back burner. Re-evaluate your goals often, be honest with yourself and most importantly don’t be hard on yourself. Don’t get me wrong, success is a LOT of hard work but to be a happy worker you have to first be happy.
I have a sticker below the screen on my laptop that says “Just Have Fun”. I have to sometimes remind myself that I get to do what I love for a living! Just Have Fun Michael … Just Have Fun!