In speaking with my clients lately, the question that seems to crop up most often is "How do I get there?"
We all know that before you set out on a trip, you need to know where your going, how far it is to your final destination and a map to show you the best route to follow, and what detours may lie ahead. You need to plan on where to stop for food, fuel and rest, and you need to abide by the "rules of the road" so you can avoid being sidelined by delays and unnecessary fines. Last, but certainly not least, you need to have a good idea of how much the trip will cost so you can be sure to bring along enough funds to make it all the way to the end.
If you don't have a map to follow, planned stops, and some helpful guides along the way, it can be a very frustrating, expensive and drawn out journey that may or may not get you to your final goal.
Building your business is not so different than planning a trip. You need to set your final goal (destination), have a map (business plan), be aware of any obstacles you may need to overcome (due diligence), and have a clear vision of what your costs will be along the way (budget and marketing plan).
But having the trip all planned is just the beginning. You can put the final destination in the GPS navigator, but if you don't start moving toward your goal, follow the directions and stay on course, you won't make it to where you want to go.
So too, in your business - you can have a great business and marketing plan, but if you don't focus on your goal, take action and invest time and energy, on a consistent basis, following the plan, you can find yourself falling short of where it is you want to be.
Both parts are critical - taking action without a plan is like shooting in the dark, and having a great plan and not taking action is a waste of a great plan!
It may seem a little overwhelming, but if you break it down into parts, the same way you would when planning a trip, and focus on one at a time I think you'll find it's not as daunting as you may think. Before you know it, you'll be "on the road again", heading for your Grand Destination!
