Plan big, but celebrate small victories as well

Having a plan is always a good place to start. However, if you have already started, without a clear plan, that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning now.

Before you grab your spreadsheets and calendars, remember these key elements of a good plan:

Plans can grow

A plan does not have to be complete to be useful. Simply setting down a few clear goals will already focus your mind towards achieving them. Sometimes the mere act of speaking a goal out loud can also help you to decide on its relevance and where it fits into the hierarchy of your business plan.

Start small and leave room for expansion. In this way, you’re also not overwhelming yourself with unachievable goals that might leave you demotivated.

Plans can change direction

It’s a cliché that you can only know where you are going if you know where you come from, but that holds true for a business plan as well. If you don’t have clear goals in mind, you wont be able to adjust your course in order to reach it.

Planning for a certain outcome can help you cut through the noise of decision fatigue. It can also help you see when something isn’t meant for you and allow you to change direction before you waste your time and resources pursuing a dead end.

Plans can (and should) inspire

Much like having a to do list can help you when you clean your kitchen or run your personal errands, having a plan can keep you motivated.

Nothing beats the feeling of ticking things off of your to do list, and what is a plan if not a large scale to do list?

By having a plan, and revisiting it often, you can keep track of your progress and celebrate every single little step in the right direction.

Whether you’re starting something new or wanting to improve on what you are already doing, planning is the way to go.