December 2007: Strategic Planning: Make 2008 Great
Strategic Planning: Make 2008 Great It’s time to kick it up a notch! Why? Because.
By Laura Maver Ward
As you close out 2007, it’s time for reflection. Reflection allows you to celebrate the great things you accomplished, both personally and professionally. It also allows you to determine what areas need improvement. This month’s “breakthrough business strategy” will help you make 2008 the greatest year ever. When we began our journey together earlier this year, we talked about how owning a business is the American dream. We also talked about the importance of defining your legacy through proper planning. Thirdly, we talked about how planning will drive every personal and business decision and every action you take toward building your legacy. So, I’m curious, how many of you took that strategy and brought it to life? For those who did, call me so we can celebrate together. For those who did not, today is a great day to begin your planning. If you need someone to encourage you and stand by your side, call me. If you just need a kick in the pants, then I can help with that as well.
A Goal Is a Dream With a Deadline First things first: Visualize yourself as someone who has a plan and someone who is a successful business owner. Next, commit yourself to making it happen. Write down your goal. Give yourself a deadline. Ask for help from those who truly care about your success. Hold yourself accountable. All of these can be powerful motivational tools. “I will develop my 2008 strategic plan for my business by December 31, 2007.” That goal is S.M.A.R.T.—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound. If “strategic” sounds too obscure, then call it an action plan. The point is, just do it! Why? Because.
Use “Because” to Persuade You to Right Action Dr. Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist, conducted a famous study. She learned that inserting the word “because” when asking for a favor increased the granting of favors from 60 percent to 93 percent. Advertisers also have used the word “because” as a powerful influencer to get people to buy products. It is one of the most powerful words used in the world of persuasion. It’s a stimulus/response mechanism that prompts us to take action. Let’s explore how to use the word “because” to persuade you to action. Commitment to your goal goes beyond writing it down. You need to persuade yourself that it is indeed something you want to achieve. How do you do that? Begin by writing down all the benefits you would gain by having a plan. For example, “I need to do this because...” Success is very personal. It means something different to each of us. What does success look like, feel like, smell like and sound like for you? Get emotional! “Because” is also a word that many of us use in our world of making excuses. I can’t do it because:
“I lack time”
“I lack organization”
“I lack knowledge”
“I lack initiative”
“I don’t think a plan will help”
“I’m afraid of making more money” (believe it or not, some people have this fear)
“My business is too small to have a plan.”
Do any of those sound familiar? The excuses can be endless. Now it’s time to get rid of all of your excuses, one by one. Why? Because.
Use “Because” to Get Rid of Excuses Excuses hold you back and keep you in the world of mediocrity. After you’ve written down every excuse you can think of, it’s time to get the sledgehammer out. Get rid of each and every excuse by developing possible solutions and action steps to knock them out one by one. Pound those negative thoughts into the ground. They are holding you back. Focus on the positive outcomes you want in life. More will come to you. Much has been written about the Law of Attraction recently, which says that your thoughts, emotions, beliefs and actions can attract corresponding positive and negative experiences. Books, movies, TV shows and radio shows are dedicated to teaching people about the Law of Attraction. Guess what, it’s nothing new. It’s a phenomenon that has been around as long as people have been around.
Let’s Make 2008 Great! I don’t know about you, but 2007 has flown by in a flash. I have lots to celebrate; yet I have lots to do to continue to define my legacy. I imagine you do too. Get energized! Focus on kicking it up a notch or two (or more) in 2008. Let’s all make 2008 great by planning it that way. Why? Because: “One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” —Abraham Maslow, 1908-1970, Psychologist
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: hire a business coach if you don’t have the internal resources to manifest change. That, my friends, is your “breakthrough business strategy” for this month.
If there is anything that you want me to address in my monthly column, please send an e-mail to
Please be sure to put “SMALL BUSINESS MONTHLY” in the subject line, so that we don’t mistake your e-mail for spam. Also, sign up for our newsletter by visiting the home page of our Web site, www.dovetailadvisors.com. You’ll receive some great articles to help you improve yourself and your business. Laura Maver Ward is a certified business coach who is passionate about helping business owners and business leaders run their companies, so that they can live today and retire tomorrow in the style they want and deserve. Ward is president and founder of Dovetail Business Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions and business coaching and consulting company. It is through "breakthrough business strategies" that Dovetail helps business leaders turn potential into breakthrough performance. You can reach Laura at (816) 448-3777.
