Vision, Strategic Planning and the Discipline to ACT Will Grow Your Business
There is no substitute for discipline, which is a learned behavior.
From birth on, we struggle with life's restrictions.
As we mature we learn that some degree of structure and discipline is needed to function as adults.
We cannot live our lives always acting on impulse.
There must be some plan of action and sense of direction in our lives.
This is also true of our business.
We must first have a purpose for our business that is meaningful to us (mission) and we must dream of what we want from our business.
To develop the discipline to act, one must know what they want to accomplish -- you have to set clear goals and objectives.
These should address the immediate, the intermediate and the long-term -- so be sure to take the time to decide what kind of future you really want -- define your vision.
Begin with the long term.
Where do you want to be in 10 years? Financially independent?Own your own home?Time to pursue a hobby or family activities?Setting your long-term goals helps identify your shorter term goals.
The process is the same for any goals and objectives you set.
You must act on what is required to meet your goals.
You cannot just say "I want to do this.
"You must create activities and actions to accomplish each goal.
Understanding what must be done to meet your goals will set the stage for the cornerstone of building your business -- planning and discipline! Plan your work and work your plan.
This simple adage embodies the essence of discipline because it provides us with the framework for disciplined, focused behavior.
Deciding in advance what you need to do makes it easier to do.
It allows you to keep tabs on your progress and to spot problem areas.
Your time spent planning will always pay dividends.
A good plan is your roadmap to success.
You will be surprised at how the exercise of creating a mission or purpose for your business, developing a vision for the future, setting goals and objectives, thinking them through and putting them into strategic activities and daily/weekly/monthly actions will help you grow your business.
It forces you to order your thoughts and clarify your reasoning.
It gives you a new perspective on your business; development of this discipline will be a cornerstone of your success.
From birth on, we struggle with life's restrictions.
As we mature we learn that some degree of structure and discipline is needed to function as adults.
We cannot live our lives always acting on impulse.
There must be some plan of action and sense of direction in our lives.
This is also true of our business.
We must first have a purpose for our business that is meaningful to us (mission) and we must dream of what we want from our business.
To develop the discipline to act, one must know what they want to accomplish -- you have to set clear goals and objectives.
These should address the immediate, the intermediate and the long-term -- so be sure to take the time to decide what kind of future you really want -- define your vision.
Begin with the long term.
Where do you want to be in 10 years? Financially independent?Own your own home?Time to pursue a hobby or family activities?Setting your long-term goals helps identify your shorter term goals.
The process is the same for any goals and objectives you set.
You must act on what is required to meet your goals.
You cannot just say "I want to do this.
"You must create activities and actions to accomplish each goal.
Understanding what must be done to meet your goals will set the stage for the cornerstone of building your business -- planning and discipline! Plan your work and work your plan.
This simple adage embodies the essence of discipline because it provides us with the framework for disciplined, focused behavior.
Deciding in advance what you need to do makes it easier to do.
It allows you to keep tabs on your progress and to spot problem areas.
Your time spent planning will always pay dividends.
A good plan is your roadmap to success.
You will be surprised at how the exercise of creating a mission or purpose for your business, developing a vision for the future, setting goals and objectives, thinking them through and putting them into strategic activities and daily/weekly/monthly actions will help you grow your business.
It forces you to order your thoughts and clarify your reasoning.
It gives you a new perspective on your business; development of this discipline will be a cornerstone of your success.
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