WRITE IT

Write the PLAN
OK. We all know its easy to have an idea & wishing it into existence, but the real challenge comes from your actions. Its your plan, objectives, goals, roadmap, whatever it is that you want to call it...write it down. Why am I saying this? Here's why.

I have always been a shoot from the hip kind of a person, never understanding why it would be necessary to write down your goals. So let me tell you a story.

I have an idea. I want to write a book. Well write the book & sell it. Otherwise what will your customers buy? Your thoughts? I don't think so. They need a tangible product to feel good about giving you their hard earned cash. So, give the customer something to take home with them.

Here's a few more tidbits on the writing thing. Don't be afraid to edit it, start over, and delve a little deeper into an area that seems fuzzy. You may surprise yourself. You may latch onto a new area that didn't seem relevant before.

Finally, clearly state your goals & check them off as you accomplish them. This sense of completion will help build your confidence. Bear in mind that even though you may write an elaborate business plan, it must be reviewed yearly, just to keep you on track, re-adjust you goals, and define where you need to go next.

There are many resources to use to write a business plan. Here's one I like from the SBA http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html and of course ENTREPRENEUR magazine http://www.entrepreneur.com/businessplan/index.html