Having a plan and executing it are two different things.
While planning is beneficial, it won’t get you anywhere without action. On the other hand, execution is essential, but without a plan, you won't reach your desired destination.
Many online business owners tend to favor one over the other. Which category do you fall into?
Success comes from the harmonious combination of planning and execution. To help yourself achieve this balance, create a simple yet effective action plan. Here’s how:
1. Get a blank piece of paper and a pen.
2. Assess your current situation. Choose a specific area to focus on (e.g., monthly income or the number of clicks needed for a sale). Identify a specific metric within that area. For example, if your current monthly income is $3,000, write that at the top of your page.
3. Define your goal. Using the same business area and metric, determine where you want to be. If you aim to have a monthly income of $6,000 in six months, write that at the bottom of the page.
4. Connect the dots. Fill the space between your current situation and your goal with actionable steps. These should be practical ideas to help you progress toward your goal. For instance, you might increase prices by 10%, upsell customers to higher-priced products, or spend half an hour each morning on cold calling. Ensure these steps are specific and have assigned due dates to provide a clear timeframe.
5. Integrate these actions into your weekly planner.
6. Execute! Follow through with one step at a time, daily, until you reach your goal's deadline. Assess your progress: Did you achieve your goal? If not, how close did you get?
By regularly creating and executing such action plans, you’ll find yourself doing them more frequently for various business and personal goals.
