Woman With A Plan: How I Went From Winging It To Planning It

It's always good to have a plan of action! How many times have you heard that one? I think my dad started saying it to me as early as elementary school, though I'm not sure I even noticed until I was in high school. And by then, I was actively tuning him out. I was really good at that. I went to college clear across the country — waaay before the invention of FaceTime and Skype — so his opportunities for giving such advice were limited. However, his wisdom clearly snuck its way into my brain because I did become something of a planner in college. I didn't even notice it happening. I just did, out of necessity I suppose. I got a job and found myself incredibly busy. Planning was the thing that helped me get everything done that I needed to do. It saved me really.

Becoming An Event Planner Extraordinaire!

Not only did planning save my college career, developing this skill led me to my current career, or at least enabled me to excel at it. I worked in the restaurant business, both in the kitchen and later as an owner. Then I started a catering company. Along the way, I honed my planning skills, both in a moment-to-moment sense — as in planning all aspects of serving a meal on time — and with the big picture stuff required for owning and running a successful food business. As my creative side took over and I transitioned into planning parties and events, I realized just how important planning — and planning well — is. Poor planning has been the ruin of many an event... and many a business! (Not mine of course!) Today, the word planner is even part of my job title. There's no way I could survive in this business by winging it.

What's A Good Plan Of Action?

Every good plan has a few elements in common. First, you need to identify the specific tasks involved. This is the "Who's gonna do what?" part. No point in having two people doing the same thing, while other tasks or areas are left ignored. (Maybe we can add here that good communication about said specific tasks is key!) Next, you need a timeline. This is the "When?" part. (Obviously!) Deadlines and timelines help everyone pace themselves and help everyone know what's expected. It's always easier to have a target date to work toward. Finally, you should identify how resources will be allocated. This is the "How and how much?" part. Doing this lets you and everyone else know the budget, and know how much money can be spent on various aspects of a project.

Of course, an effective plan of action involves a bit more, but I think these are the three key components that, when I identified them clearly at the outset, have helped me the most.

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

I always say running a business means the work never ends! Ain't that the truth? I bet your to-do list is a mile long! Make sure that the items at the top of your list are the things that relate to being more profitable. Everyone is so proud of being so "busy"...But Are You Making Any Money? Don't be too busy to focus!

Check out the summary of last week's business tips and motivational quotes from my Instagram page which you hopefully got to see in real time! If not, let's make sure we're following each other on Instagram!! So...here is this week's roundup of Instagram images of My Top Business Tips and Motivational Quotes.

Plan Of Action – Tip #1:

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"Action is the foundational key to all success." – Pablo Picasso

Plan Of Action – Tip #2:

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"Actions prove who someone is. Words just prove who they want to be." – unknown

Plan Of Action – Tip #3:

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"Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work." – Stephen King

Plan Of Action – Tip #4:

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"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." – Abraham Lincoln

Plan Of Action – Tip #5:

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"Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus." – Alexander Graham Bell

Let's talk! I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to make a good plan of action!

What are the key elements in your plan of action? Tell us! What advice would you share with your fellow business owners? Which tips above did you find helpful? I would LOVE to hear from you!

Anyhoo...I publish these business tips and motivational quotes to get you fired up for your work week! And, if you want more business tips, get my book, But Are You Making Any Money? or contact me to really take your business to the next level!

xoxo M

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