Before T
hanksgiving I shared with you how to start your 2015 planning by reviewing what you had done in 2014. Did you get a chance to do any of it? I hope so. If not here’s the link – take some time, read it and do what you can before you start Step 2.
Step 2 is actually pretty simple. What’s your Focus for the year? For some this question is what are your goals? Your focus is about what you want to accomplish this year. Where do you want to be at the end of 2015 and what do you need to focus on to get there. I use the word focus instead of goals is because a number of my clients have such resistance to the word goals. I started asking them what they wanted to focus on and all of a sudden they were filled with inspiration and ideas.
I’m going to ask you the same question. What’s your Focus for 2015? Where do you see yourself at the end of the year and what do you need to accomplish to get there?
As you think about where you want to be next year you’ll want to include these areas of your business and also think about how you want your business to impact your life.
- Sales & Marketing
- Systems & Infrastructure
- New or Upgrade programs or products
- Personal life and other areas
As you determine what your Focus is you want to be aware of how many people are a part of your organization; is it just you, do you have a VA to support you or do you have employees? If you are a Solo Entrepreneur you’ll want to limit your Focus that something you can do by yourself. I know most business owners want to grow their business. For a Sole Entrepreneur that is going to look different that a business owner with employees. So once you have your Focus and your clear what that looks like for you I recommend you break your Focus down into the 4 areas of your business (Sales & Marketing, Systems & Infrastructure, Programs or Products, Personal Life) and then write down what you need to do at a high level in each area to grow your business.
Here are some general questions to get you started thinking about what you want to do.
- What does that look like, how many clients and how much revenue and income do you want to generate?
- What Sales & Marketing Activities will help me grow my business?
- What Systems & Infrastructure do I need to have in place or create?
- Do I need to upgrade or create new programs or products?
- What do I need to do in my personal life?
- Is my goal a bit of stretch (BHAG- Big Hairy Audacious Goal), big enough to inspire you, yet not so big that you feel defeated before you start?
- What help do I think I need to accomplish this goal?
After you have answered these questions you’ll be ready for the Planning 2014 Step 3 – 90 Day Actions.
Have a great time dreaming and writing about what you want to accomplish.
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Jane works with Women Entrepreneurs & Business Owners who are Overwhelmed. My focus is helping them regain clarity, let go of ambiguity, uncertainty and fear, while bringing focus to their goals and objectives. I ask the hard questions knowing that you’re ready to answer them. My clients and colleagues call me a thought provoking Business Therapist.
Women Entrepreneurs in Business (WEiB) an online membership group dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in creating a business that feeds their soul and pocket book.
The Sage – Grow Your Business an in-person program designed to help women entrepreneurs increase sales and expedite growth of their business.
Jane is also the author of Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Kick Your Fears in the Ass.
Additional information is available at www.lovasconsulting.com. Contact Jane by email jlovas@lovasconsulting.com or by telephone at 703.981.3157
