“A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” – Gen. George S. Patton
Planning is only the starting point however – it is executing the plan that will get you the results you want. Jack Canfield, in “The Success Principles”, talks about using ready, fire, aim rather than ready, aim, fire because once you have fired, you have a result that you can use to guide your next shot. It is so easy to get stuck at the “aiming” part of the process: in business this is generally either caused by procrastination, fear or self-sabotage.
“A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” – Gen. George S. Patton
Planning is only the starting point however – it is executing the plan that will get you the results you want. Jack Canfield, in “The Success Principles”, talks about using ready, fire, aim rather than ready, aim, fire because once you have fired, you have a result that you can use to guide your next shot. It is so easy to get stuck at the “aiming” part of the process: in business this is generally either caused by procrastination, fear or self-sabotage. Successful people take action – they do things, make mistakes, learn from their mistakes, and get it right next time.
This principle can be applied to business as a seven-step process for taking it to another level:
1. Understand your target.
2. Create a plan to hit the target.
3. Follow the plan and take the action required.
4. Review your results: identify what went well, and what didn’t.
5. Celebrate your successes.
6. Redirect and reset your plan as appropriate.
7. Start the process again.
There is nothing complicated here: it’s a very simple process, which is proven to work – and everyone can do it!
It is important to take time out of your business as well because it gets you off the day-to-day hamster wheel. You are then in a safe place where you can make plans for your business and for your own future – explore what you want to achieve, how you are going to achieve it and who is going to do what along the way.
Are you ready to embark on the seven-step process to success and your dream business?
For more detailed explanation call Brian or Alan at Maximum Profit Growth on 01604 214695. On the 31st July we have our Quarterly Business Boost planning day.
The plan that Brian has listed is not only a simple one, but it’s also hugely effective. This is not to suggest that carrying out this plan is going to bring you immediate success, however. But, it is sure to give you the correct foundations needed for continuous improvement in order to be successful.
In the rugby world, we follow a very similar plan, almost subconsciously. Our target is our opposition, who we aim to beat during the game. We devise a game plan/tactical mindset to help us to do so. During and after the game we review the good things we did, and also what we can improve. After the game, it’s hugely important to enjoy the victories that we have, and that is encouraged by our club. We work hard together, so we should celebrate together. The build up and mental preparation required to be successful at the top level, particularly season-long would be too taxing to maintain without the opportunity to enjoy what you are doing and the chance to switch off from time to time. Then, the process starts again the following week, as we prepare for our next opponent.
With reference to the ‘Ready, Fire, Aim’ principle, that is particularly synonymous at this time of year for us. Pre-season training is about to commence, and a lot of planning and hard work goes into this. However, when the first week of the season arrives, there is a sense of ‘Ready, Fire, Aim’, as there isn’t as much chance to analyse the opposition due to the lack of games being played previously. Thus, we almost start with a mindset of firing our best shots, and adjusting them as they are in flight, where possible.
This has proved a really effective way for us to play over several seasons. Concentrating on what we are good at, and seeing where we can tinker those things to suit different opponents, at appropriate times.